by Tay Wei Sheng
Rattan craft has been outshined in Malaysia, overwhelmed by the rapid development of modern materials. The chosen site for this project is surrounded by Chinese cemeteries, complementing two existing post-mining lakes. The design concept is “craft in nature”, aiming to turn architecture into rattan crafts that blend into the natural environment by crafting the architecture according to the site context, restoring the natural ecosystem and showcasing the beauty of rattan in building material. The rattan experience centre shows rattan’s whole process, from cultivation to the final product. It became an interactive platform for rattan artisans and the public to explore and adopt sustainable cultivation, plantation, and processing techniques. Visitors are welcomed to experience rattan weaving and enjoy the natural environment that merges architecture and rattan.
