PATHWAYS TO INSIGHTFULNESS: Connection To Knowledge, Creativity & Community of Klang | Architecture Thesis

Site Context

Klang’s vibrant site context forms an ideal foundation for the proposed District Library, envisioned as a contemporary space that captures the energy and cultural richness of its streets. The town’s lively thoroughfares, particularly in areas like Little India, serve as hubs of organic learning through social interaction and cultural exchanges. These streets go beyond mere pathways, functioning as vital spaces for livelihoods, social bonds, and the preservation of traditions. Activities like street food vending, open-air markets, and public performances highlight Klang’s distinctive identity, fostering opportunities for informal education and community connection.

In Klang, major districts include commercial and government areas, followed by service and residential zones, with smaller portions dedicated to education, religion, recreation, and public spaces. The area features diverse land use, with commercial, government buildings, and parks each covering 20%, education and residential 10% each, and healthcare, services, and F&B representing smaller shares. Most buildings are 5–8 meters tall, followed by denser 3-storey structures, with a few exceeding 16 meters. Streets are vital for economic activity and community interaction, maintaining vibrancy despite urbanization. However, the site faces challenges like a lack of community nodes, racial segregation, youth migration, and limited spaces promoting a reading culture.

Design Process

The design process of the District Library begins by dividing the structure into two distinct blocks, achieving a balanced layout that prioritizes functionality and community engagement. At its core is a central axis—a semi-outdoor multipurpose space that acts as a lively hub for events, gatherings, and informal learning. This central area features open voids, fostering a sense of spaciousness and connection while seamlessly extending the existing pedestrian pathways, welcoming the community into the library. The axis also provides convenient access for students and teachers from the nearby SK Klang school, reinforcing the library’s role as an educational and communal center. 

Programs include community-run street libraries, operating on a “take a book, leave a book” model to encourage literacy and neighborhood connections. Additionally, the library will host street retail activities, such as second-hand book fairs, workshops, and cultural performances, creating a vibrant space that unites learning with community life.

Final Outcome

The library is envisioned as a catalyst for renewal, seamlessly combining the town’s heritage with modern elements that facilitate community engagement. The central axis is designed to be adaptable, supporting activities like workshops, cultural performances, and public discussions. This versatility strengthens the library’s role as a social hub, fostering a deeper connection with the community. Overall, the library symbolizes the town’s growth, merging tradition with innovation.

To highlight the central axis, the design features floating bridges, staircases, and balconies that offer varied views and encourage interaction between the two blocks. These elevated elements promote learning through observation and engagement, while framing the central space as a vibrant environment. A translucent butterfly roof shelters the axis, providing protection from the weather while allowing natural light to permeate, enhancing energy efficiency and creating a welcoming atmosphere. Slanted walls are carefully positioned to block direct sunlight, minimizing glare and heat while offering clear views of the surrounding heritage, particularly the pre-war shoplots. This design honors Klang’s cultural identity and strengthens the library’s connection to its historical context.

Two programs are included in the design. 

Program 1– Community Street Library:  A small, community-run outdoor library in public spaces, promoting literacy and engagement. It uses a “take a book, leave a book” system, allowing flexible borrowing with no deadlines. Anyone can contribute books, creating a shared, rotating collection for the neighborhood.

Program 2– Street Retail: A vibrant street market featuring food stalls, second-hand books, flea markets, book fairs, performances, exhibitions, and workshops. Integrated seating with planter boxes encourages reading, rest, and socializing, blending culture, commerce, and community interaction.

Conclusion: Ultimately, the library serves as a welcoming space for people from all backgrounds to come together, discover, and connect, symbolizing civic pride and the timeless values of unity, heritage, and cultural appreciation. As a dynamic center for learning, creativity, and collaboration, it preserves Klang’s rich legacy while fostering opportunities for future generations to flourish.

[This Academic Project has been published with text and images submitted by the student]