'A parasitic communal space for the high-rise residential - It alters the rigid grid of the typical highrises, forming new distorted grid for the proposed modules to enhance social interactions. It's a new heart for the modern stone-cold-high-rise. Its aim is to bring back the advantages of communal living.'
'The vertical neighbourhood represent a 'new heart' of the high-rise residential. It revitalises the modern high-rise neighbourhood. Its intention is to break the rigid grids of a typical high-rise flat and increases the interaction between its occupants. Occupants in the modern high-rise often turns out to be less friendly towards the neighbourhood and indifferent to their neighbours. Wide area of inefficient existing community facilities failed to bring most of the occupants together. The lack of communications and interactions are the main reason why the weak bond exists in between people. A good communal living will bring back the advantages to the modern community in Malaysia. Neighbourhood knowing and taking care of each other will strengthen individual's social ability. The chosen site for the prototype is located in Bandar Sri Permaisuri, Malaysia. It's a typical high-rise living area with several medium and low cost flats, surrounded by commercial areas. They are mainly occupied by typical family and office employees. The Sri Penara Flat located at the southern part of Bandar Sri Permaisuri. It consists of 18 storeys with 714 units. Each unit with an area of 650sqft.'
'The general idea is to use the same module to form different space volume for various functions. A successful communal space will have the facilities that able to fulfill occupants' needs. Without active daily users, it'll lost its meaning to be built. Thus a flexible planning is a key to fulfill different group of communities in this project. Occupants will be the one who decide what kind of facilities they need in this vertical neighbourhood. They will express themselves through the module, by sign boards, facade artworks, and materials. This approach will gives an unique identity to each and every vertical neighbourhood.'
Upper-left: Sports arena.
Bottom-left: The vertical neighbourhood facade. Right: Semi-outdoor community area.
Left: Semi-outdoor community area.
Upper-right: Sports arena.
Bottom-right: The interior of a typical module.
