INTRODUCTION

In this final project of the Constructed Landscape module, students are instructed to select a

10m x 10m site within the Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus, and to propose a development

of a sustainable landscape for the student’s perusal, along with a master plan, planting plan, a

bill of quantities and various other documents that are related to this hypothetical

development.

To do this, students have to do conduct a thorough site analysis, bringing in factors such as

sunlight, temperature, wind, sound, smells, circulation, views and various others. Then,

students have to create a sustainable landscape in their 10x10m site of their choosing based on

those factors as well as incorporate solutions to any problems that are present on site.

SITE ANALYSIS

The site we have selected is located at Block E, 2nd floor and colloquially known as the

“Balcony.” This site was chosen due to it being primarily a large expanse of unused concrete,

which was completely wasted as there was no apparent use. The “Balcony” featured a large flat

plan of concrete that depressed 5cm from the rest of Block E, and was located close to the

toilet. Below the “Balcony” is Lecture Theatre 20.

VIEWS

The site faces features relatively interesting views of the surroundings of the surroundings. At

directly South, or 180 degrees North (View A), one can see a nearby commercial building that is

under construction at time of writing, the carpark and the basketball courts. At South-west, or

around 225 degress North (View B), one can see sunset as well as Jalan Taylors, a glimpse of the

LDP, and the Syopz Commercial building plus the Sunway Pinnacle. At around 1915 hours

(7:15PM), one can see the sunset in this general direction. Also visible is the other balcony that

extends from the Divisional Office of Education.

The view to the South-east is uninteresting, showing only a small portion of Jalan Taylors, some

trees and a small building (View C).

FROM SITE ANALYSIS DIAGRAM:

VIEW A: BAD VIEW

VIEW B: GOOD VIEW

VIEW C: MODERATE VIEW

SUNLIGHT

At the site, the sun is not directly visible until at least 11AM in the morning, as it is blocked by

the rest of the Block E building. Afterwards, the sun travels roughly in a parabolic arc until it

ends at sundown at 7:19PM in the direction of around 225 degrees North, with a last light at

8:06PM.

SOUND

In terms of sound, there is a very loud (circa 90 decibels) low frequency droning noise due to

the air conditioning compressors located on top of the toilet windows. This noise is noticeable

until mid-way through the site. There is also traffic noise coming from the South-east that is

benign, and louder traffic noise coming from the South-west. Noise from the people located in

Block E is quite low. Wind noise is barely noticeable.

CIRCULATION

The “Balcony” has a very well defined point of entrance and exit, leading straight from Block E,

Block D, Block C and even up to Block B. The site is also visible from all the way from Block B. As

of the current state, the circulation is almost non-existent: no one seems to be interested in this

“Balcony” as it is void of anything. However, it is able to be easily accessed. There are several

key places from which one can enter the “Balcony”. 1. Via the stairs (from Block E Level 3 and

Block E Level 1). 2. Via the lifts (From all levels of Block E). 3. Via the Divisional Office of

Education, and the Divisional Office of Business and Law. 4. Via the central avenue that

connects Block B, C, D and E.

CLIMATE

The temperature and climate of the site is typical of Malaysian sites, with a low 24 degrees

Celsius reading at 6 o clock, peaking with a 39 degrees Celsius at 2 o clock, and decreasing to 26

degrees at around 7 o clock. The wind comes from two directions depending on the time of

day, with a 2.6 MPH wind blowing from the South to the North at 12PM, and a light 0.8 MPH

breeze from the South-west to the North-east in the evening at 6PM. The “Balcony” is not

covered save for a small covered roof located at the West side of the site, thus exposing the

area to the rain.

SMELL

The site has smell permeating from the toilet, noticeable up to an area with a radius of 2

metres. No other smells are noticeable.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the site is located on the second floor of Block E, at the Southern-most end. It is

completely featureless save for a concrete fall that depress 5cm from the rest of the Block, a

3.5 metre wide shade that encompasses the entire West side of the site. It is subject to the

typical Malaysian climate. Primary noise is due to the air conditioner compressors with

secondary noise coming from traffic. Views are good, with a good sight of the setting sun and

the surroundings. The site is also extremely accessible, and visible all the way from Block B.

CONCEPT

The Balcony aims to reproduce an intimate, earthen and natural enclosure to an otherwise drab

and concrete environment. Featuring sustainability-focused technologies and planning, The

Balcony attempts to recreate Eden in a land of Nod.

The Balcony focuses on intimacy: bringing people together in unity with the natural elements:

wood, earth and wind. People would be drawn together by this unique planning that allows and

encourages closure, intimacy and fellowship.

The Balcony focuses on 3 elements:

Nature, Fellowship and Unity.

NATURE: The Balcony brings people into a friendly, natural environment, a place where people

are presented to and placed in a natural atmosphere of strategically placed elements of earth,

wood and wind. Much thought has gone into the planning of both the hardscape and softscape

of The Balcony, integrating as much natural elements as possible while simultaneously

introducing new, non-interfering yet beneficial artificial ingredients into the mix, resulting in

the creation of a sustainable landscape.

FELLOWSHIP: The Balcony draws people closer to one another. Featuring a plethora of both

close intimate spaces and wide expanses, The Balcony naturally allows people to get together

to have a close, meaningful fellowship with each other. Whether it is having a work-related

discussion, a stress-relieving retreat or even an intimate honeymoon for couples, The Balcony

brings everybody together.

UNITY: The unity of both natural and built elements creates a soft wonderful space, where both

natural and built structures complement each other excellently. People will not find a jarring

juxtaposition of elements in The Balcony, rather, an interesting amalgamation of built form and

natural elements, bringing forward a space unlike any other.

Simplified, The Balcony aims to create an intimate environment for people to have very close

fellowship with each other in a natural environment.

MASTER PLAN

At its core, The Balcony features 3 distinct elements.

The Garden

The Curve

Bamboo

Walkway

Master Plan

NTS

Perspective View of The Balcony

Scale: NTS

Front Elevation of The Balcony

Scale: NTS

Side Elevation of The Balcony

Scale: NTS

1. The Bamboo Walkway

The Bamboo Walkway is a covered walkway that utilizes the existing 3.5 metre wide shade but

is covered with bamboo. This creates a very intimate walkway. The bamboos are positioned at

intervals of 5 centimetres to create dynamic shadows when the sun is setting. About 4 metres

into the walkway is door that leads to the second element, the Garden.

2. The Garden

The Garden is the largest element of the Balcony, and features an alternating pattern of wood

and grass. The Garden offers a large expanse of natural elements, making people feel as if they

are in a park. The Garden focuses the users attention to the view of the surroundings, primarily

the basketball courts, the sunset as well as the commercial building. Located in the centre of

the Garden is the third element, the Curve.

3. The Curve

The Curve is the primary element of The Balcony. A large furniture built out of waterproofed

wood that allows people to sit in an enclosed setting. This yet again provides the users

intimacy: the curved benches and high walls draws people closer together to fellowship more

intimately with each other. The curved design also allows the trapping of the wind that is

blowing from the South-west to the North-east. This cools down the structure and its users. The

design also insulates the users from the noisy air-conditioner compressors as well as the smells.

In addition, this structure provides a 180 degree view of the surroundings: the sunset,

commercial building and basketball courts.

PLANTING PLAN

The master plan, showing all the plants and its arrangements

Aphelandra Sinclairiana shrubs

Empire Zoysia grass

Ixora hedges

Groundcover layer, showing the grass

cover.

Medium layer, showing the location

of the shrubs.

Morning Glory creepers on trellis Imitation bamboo

The planting plan consists of only two layers: the groundcover layer, and then the shrub layer.

No trees are planted due to impracticality of transport as well as the weight of the tree being

able to break the raised wooden floor. These two layers serve to provide a very relatable

experience for the users of the The Balcony. Without very tall plants, the people will be able to

easily appreciate the beauty of these plants up close. The plant species are also suitable for the

climate that is around the site.

PLANT LIST:

Aphelandra

Sinclairiana

(30 square meters)

Morning Glory

(1500 seeds)

Zoysia Grass

60 square meters

Ixora

23.5 square

meters

COSTING AND BILL OF QUANTITIES

Items Descriptions Unit Quantity Rate Amt ( USD ) Amt ( MYR )

Trellis:

Morning Glory ( Blue ) Shipping USD 4.49 1500 sds 1 USD 1.09 USD 5.58 MYR17.90

Cedar Ladder Trellis ( Brown) m2 25 Usd 14.98 USD374.50 MYR 1201.40

Hedges:

Ixora Shipping USD 11.80 m2 23.5 USD 9.90 USD 244.45 MYR784.20

Shrubs :

Aphelandra Sinclairlana Shipping USD 4.99 m2 30 USD 11.99 USD 364.69 MYR 1170.89

Flooring:

Timber Floor Decking ( HardScape) 30 x 30 9/ unit 210 USD 20.26 USD 4255 MYR 13,650.04

Empire Zoysia ( Softscape ) Sq meter 6 USD 205 USD 1230 MYR 3945.84

Soil Cultivation USD 19.99 USD 19.99 MYR 64.13

Starter Fertilizer USD 65.00 USD 65.01 MYR 208.55

Vegetation Rmvl SHIPPING USD 166.07 USD 71.50 USD 237.57 MYR 762.12

Alpine Resin Classic Scroll Birdbath Shipping USD 3.99 2 USD 36.98 USD 77.95 MYR 250.06

Loam Soil With fertiliser per cubic yd 20 USD 30 USD 60 MYR 192.48

Raised wood Flooring Sq meter 10X10 USD 1.27 USD 127.03 MYR 407.51

Artificial Bamboo Shipping USD 24.47 dozen 3 USD 134.47 USD 403.41 MYR 1294.14

Benches :

A Bench 1 USD 311.72 USD 311.72 MYR 1000

USD 7776.9 MYR 22,945.76

5% Premilinaries USD 388.85 MYR 1148

10% contingencies USD 777.69 MYR 2295

Total Amount USD 8943.44 MYR 26,388.76

Maintenance Cost

Labour Cost

1. 4 laborers @RM50/day x 4 times a month MYR 800

2. 1 supervisor @RM70/day x 4 times a month MYR 280

3. Transport- 1 lorry @RM100/day x 4 times a month MYR 400

Materials cost

1. Fertiliser, Once a month MYR 300

2. Pest control, Once a month MYR 300

3. Replacing Dead Plants MYR 300

Total Amount MYR 2380

Add profit and overhead 20% MYR 476

MYR 2856

1 YEAR ( 12 MONTHS ) MTH =

MYR 2856 x 12= MYR 34,272

TOTAL COST =

MYR 34,272 + MYR 26,388.76= MYR

60,660.76

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

DETAIL A: RAISED WOODEN FOUNDATION

The Balcony is built on top of a raised wooden floor, with distance between the floor and the

concrete base at a minimum of 150 mm. This elevated foundation functions as a drainage

system.

As the water from the rain pours down onto the site, water is collected primarily by the plants

and absorbed. However, a large amount of water is still present, and without proper drainage

facilities, the entire area could flood, damaging it.

Our solution is to build the entire site on top of a raised wooden foundation, allowing excess

water to drain through the wooden foundation unto the slightly sloped concrete base below.

The water then flows into the drain and out of the site.

DETAIL B: TRELLIS CONSTRUCTION

The trellis is where the Morning Glory plants are planted. Construction is simple: using an

existing store-bought trellis structure, a small hole of around 1” (2.54cm) is dug, and the trellis

installed in it. Afterwards, a layer of gravel and then concrete or backfill is poured to cement

the trellis unto the ground. Then, with soil, the Morning Glory plants are planted. Morning

Glories are creeper plants, and will naturally climb up the trellis to result in a beautiful flower-

covered natural wall.

MAINTENANCE PLAN

GARDEN PROPOSALCONTEMPLATE WAYS TO DEAL WITH INSECTS AND PESTS

DATEEXTRA

MAINTENANCE (WEEKLY)

TIMINGS TASK DESCRIPTION NOTES

19/1/2014

- WATERING -CLEANING

SERVICES ( E.G . SWEEPING -MOPPING

-MONITORING GROWTH OF

FLOWERS SHRUBS AND GRASS.

6am PRUNING CLEANING

REMOVE SUCKERS, BROKEN BRANCHES, BRANCHES CROSSING OR RUBBING, AND

BRANCHES INTERFERINGWITH THE HOUSE.

A GARDEN NEEDS ONE INCH OF WATEREACH WEEK FROM APRIL TO SEPTEMBER. EARLY MORNING IS THE BEST TIME TO WATER, EVENINGWATERING IS LESS DESIRABLE BECAUSE PLANT LEAVES THAT REMAIN WET THROUGH THE NIGHT ARE MORESUSCEPTIBLE TO FUNGUS DISEASES.

16/2/2014 6am INSECT CONTROL DEADHEAD MANAGEMENT USE OF HORTICULTURE OIL BEGIN HORTICULTURAL OIL APPLICATIONS

WHERE NEEDED TO CONTROL PESTS.

16/3/2014 6am FERTILIZE MULCH

MULCHING WILL CONSERVE SOIL MOISTURE, REDUCE THE NEED FOR WATER AND CUT DOWN ON WEEDS

20/4/2014 6am WEEDING DEADHEAD MANAGEMENT

11/5/14 6am INSECT AND DISEASE CONTROL USE OF INSECTICIDAL SOAP APPLY SLUG CONTROLS- IF YOU GET

THEM EARLY, THEY DON'T REPRODUCE

15/6/2014 6am WOOD VARNISHING DEADHEAD MANAGEMENT

20/7/2014 6am DIVISION OF NEW FORMING PLANTS

AS SOON AS YOU CAN SEE NEW GROWTH STARTING, IT IS A CLUE TO DO ANY

DIVISION OR TRANSPLANTINGTHIN PLANTS WHERE NEEDED

17/8/2014 6am FERTILIZE

BONE MEAL IS AN ORGANIC FERTILIZER THAT IS DERIVED FROM THE MEAT

PROCESSINGINDUSTRY. PHOSPHATES DO NOT EASILY

PASS THROUGH SOIL, SO MIXING THE BONE MEAL WITH THE SOIL OR

PUTTING IT IN THE PLANTING HOLE CAN HELP.

DIATOMACEOUS EARTH IS A REMARKABLE, ALL-NATURAL PRODUCT MADE FROM TINY

FOSSILIZED WATERPLANTS 100% ORGANIC.

21/9/2014 6am PRUNING CLEANING

19/10/2014 6am MULCH

9/11/14 6am DEADHEAD MANAGEMENT

7/12/14 6am WOOD VARNISHING DEADHEAD MANAGEMENT

APHELANDRA sinclairiana IXORA MORNING GLORY EMPIRE ZOYSIA

SUNLIGHT - PARTIAL SOIL PH- ACIDIC

SOIL DRAINAGE- WELL DRAINED

SOIL TYPE- LOAM, SAND

GROWTH RATE- FAST

WATER REQUIREMENTS- AVERAGE WATER

SUNLIGHT - PARTIAL SOIL PH- ACIDIC

SOIL DRAINAGE- MOIST

SOIL TYPE- BLACK SOIL

GROWTH RATE- SLOW

WATER REQUIREMENTS- ABOVE AVERAGE BUT NOT

EXCESSIVE

SUNLIGHT - PARTIAL SOIL PH

- NEUTRAL / SLIGHTLY ALKALINE SOIL CONDITION

- POOR SOIL TYPE

- BLACK SOILGROWTH RATE- MODERATE

WATER REQUIREMENTS- BELOW AVERAGE

SUNLIGHT -AMPLE SOIL PH- ACIDIC

SOIL DRAINAGE- MODERATE

GROWTH RATE- MODERATE

WATER REQUIREMENTS- ABOVE AVERAGE BUT NOT

EXCESSIVE

Bat houses • bats can be an effective way to control insects. One big brown bat can eat 3,000 to 7,000 insects each night (and yes, that means mosquitoes!). Attract bats by building and placing bat houses in your yard. To learn more, contact The Organization for Bat Conservation (248) 645-3232 www.batconservation.org !Dragonflies • can consume 300 insects a day. Lure them into your yard with a water feature.

PLANT AND FLOWER TYPES

YEARLY MAINTENANCE PLAN