Upgrading of PLUS Gurun Southbound Rest and Service Area Along North-South Expressway for PLUS Berhad.
Project Description
The newly completed upgraded rest and service area are located southward along the North-South Expressway. Due to the increase to traffic volume, more proper facilities are required to cater the user need. This includes new restrooms (toilet), and surau. The client requested a new image with additional requirements such as user friendly facilities, and resort-like feature.
Development Concept
Redevelopment of the area is aimed at creating a Therapeutic Environment to the users. This is achieved by the use of architectural language, ideal landscape, tropical street, covered courtyard, good ventilation and integration with activities.
Design Concept
The intention is to create a new set of rules or directions for designing a place to unease or restroom. Creation of a new image through introduction of new character symbolizes the intention to educate the public and change the normal perceptions toward public toilets. The concept of integration of movement of visitors within, comfort, natural lighting, ventilation, landscape, security and materials were addressed. This typology of restroom will exist with good design approach, public education on usage, good maintenance and health management.
This public space is designed with the intention to reduce the physiological tiredness of traveling, a place to relax and unease. A therapeutical environment. The design were aimed to educate, to rectify the social expression, to change social habits, and to reduce culture disparity in using public spaces. The main approach is to create an indoor-outdoor environment to improve the quality of space through provision of central landscaped courtyard.
Introduction
The public toilet through a humble instrument is a microcosm of the society at large. It is of great importance to each of us and culture as a whole. Evidently, the neglect in architectural design aspect such as disabled, privacy, ventilation, comfort security and culture has added to the deterioration of its function.
Poor toilet design and management, user manners and etiquettes shows the slice of the peoples morality and the spiritual culture of the country.
Therefore, managing restrooms to keep them pleasant and convenient must be valued highly since it indicates the given nations high level of hygiene administration.
