PORTFOLIO

TOPOTIN
INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE + TOPOGRAPHY
TAN MIN XUAN
 TABLE OF CONTENT

01 PROLOGUE – AN ODE TO PAPAN

02 INTERLUDE: URBAN STRATEGIES / BUILDING STRATEGIES

03 EPILOGUE – ARCHITECTURE OF EMPOWERMENT

I'm TAN MIN XUAN, an architecture student from USCI University. Despite the challenges in my
architecture course, each project has been a valuable learning experience, encompassing social
dynamics, economic considerations, and the history of different locations. The prospect of designing
structures that enhance and uplift a place is truly exhilarating.
The rural area project has underscored the importance of not neglecting these regions in future
planning. Every place holds inherent value, and it's our responsibility to work on projects that bring
out and showcase the unique characteristics of each location to the community.
 P R O J E C T 0 1 :

A N O V E R V I E W O F P A P A N
RESEARCH
The site context was located beyond the peaceful fringes of
Ipoh and Batu Gajah resides a little village with a very
articulated past. Stories of the former riches, Royalty, battles,
torture, sacrifices, secret societies, and even radioactive
substances are intertwined among its deteriorating
shophouses and abandoned streets. Perhaps, one of the most
fascinating ghost town in Perak. Pekan Papan, has a great and
glorious history to unfold.

.Papan's Old Town is a humbling reminder of the complexity of

Malaysia's past and how far our diverse society has progressed.
Sadly, today's rows of its buildings mimic virtual tombstones of its
almost forgotten glory, only being traversed by the regular
townspeople and nearby farmers. Papan was strangely left behind
and steadily disappeared from the public's consciousness, unlike
many other mining towns in Perak. Without the attention and
acknowledgement it rightfully deserves, this sleepy village will
eventually vanish, leaving only its name and its memories in our
historical records.

Pekan Papan, a location formerly recognized for being extremely rich in tin, is situated at
the foothills of the Kledang Range, right below Ulu Johan valley. In the direction of Papan
Recreational Forest, a single road (also known as Main Road or Main Street) travels directly
through the town. Papan is virtually abandoned, although there are a few old residents
who still live there and in the nearby village, so it is not entirely uninhabited
THE HISTORY ABOUT PAPAN SINCE THE COMING OF BRITISH TO
TANAH MELAYU.

BEFORE THE COMING OF BRITISH, PAPAN WAS ONLY A SMALL VILLAGE

SURROUNDED BY CHENGAL.

THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION I HAPPENED CAUSED THE ERA OF

BRITISH IMPERIALISME STARTED AND TANAH MELAYU BECOME THE
TARGET OF BRITISH DUE TO THE NATURAL RESOURCES.

THE COMING OF BRITISH NOT ONLY BROUGHT THE PROS, THEY ALSO
HELPED ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF TANAH MELAYU.

I II III

IV V VI

VII VIII IX

THE MOST OBVIOUS BENEFIT WAS THE CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAY

STATION TO TRANSPORT THE TIN TO STEAMBOAT.

THIS TIN MINING ACTIVITIES MAKE PAPAN FLOURISH BUT ALSO BREAK
THE PEACE OF PAPAN.

ONECE IT STARTED, THE COLONIZATION WILL NOT STOP. JAPANESE

CAME WITH THEIR SPECIAL TACTIC AND TANAH MELAYU CHANGED IT'S
OWNER. THE LOCAL NO POWER TO REJECT.

FINALLY, WAR STOPPED. PEACEFUL ALMOST HAPPEN IN PAPAN, BUT

THE RADIOACTIVE POLUTION MADE IT BECOME A NO MAN'S LAND.
 I
CHENGAL

Old times tiny place,

no king, no palace.

The sunrise made,

pleasant life was achieved.

The sunset but the rest,

like the bird returning to nest.

 II
1ST
INDUSTRIAL
REVOLUTION
You came with huge no sail ship,

and arrival was not for a trip.

We fought red-handed,

but nothing can be changed.

We lost our identity and culture,

wondering about Malaya’s future.

 III
IMPERIALISME

Mother Earth loves the land,

rich property under the sand.

Non-stop digging all the day,

but transportation is no way.

Fresh long railway was constructed,

cities by cities was connected.

 IV
ERA OF TIN
MINING
Full resources less manpower,

not yet to develop dredger.

China and India were the solution,

poverty made them no objection.

And yet we love technology,

the world’s made interesting change.

 V
PAPAN

Papan was flourishing.

different races gathering.

Fire came unpredictable,

it’s bustling still unshakable.

 VI
WORLD WAR
You came silently in the night,

we surrendered with no fight.

Marauding was the begin of tragedy,

when was the victory melody.

 VII
PEACE

Finally the world war end,

Japanese left our land.

Independent was not there yet,

we were the fishes in net.

The tin price dropped,

Malaya would not be escaped.

 VIII
NO MAN’S
LAND
Magnificent mountains and wonderful lake,

but peaceful never get back.

Sadly radioactive pollution happened,

a no man’s land formed.

 IX
‘PAHLAWAN’

Kathigasu, Dr Abdon, and Chin Peng,

‘Pahlawan’ in our hearts.

 E R A O F T I N M I N I N G

P A S T

HISTORICALLY, PAPAN WAS A SITE FOR TIN MINING ACTIVITIES THAT HAD DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT. THE CONTINUOUS EXCAVATION
OF THE LAND RESULTED IN WIDESPREAD DESTRUCTION OF NATURE, LEAVING VISIBLE TRACES OF SOIL AND MUD THROUGHOUT THE AREA. THE INTENSE
MINING ACTIVITIES LED TO THE DEMISE OF PLANT LIFE, LEAVING A STARK AND BARREN LANDSCAPE IN THEIR WAKE.
 N A T U R E R E C O V E R E D

P R E S E N T

AOVER THE YEARS, HUMAN PRESENCE GRADUALLY DWINDLED IN PAPAN, LEADING TO AN ABANDONMENT OF THE AREA. WITH NO MORE INHABITANTS,
NATURE RECLAIMED ITS TERRITORY. THE AFTERMATH OF THE DREDGING ACTIVITIES HAS CREATED A CAPTIVATING AND MYSTERIOUS SCENERY. THE
EXCAVATED HOLES TRANSFORMED INTO A SUBSTANTIAL LAKE, ADDING AN ENIGMATIC ALLURE TO THE ONCE HEAVILY IMPACTED ENVIRONMENT.
 A D A P T I N G T O N A T U R E

F U T U R E

NATURE SHOULD BE APPRECIATEED AND ADAPT TO IT TO LET MORE PEOPLE RECOGNISE THE BEAUTIFUL OF NATURE. CONSIDER LEAVING STRUCTURES ON
THE TREES, CREATING BRIDGES BETWEEN THEM, OR DECORATING THE TREES THEMSELVES. THIS APPROACH CAN PROVIDE A TRULY AMAZING AND
IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE, FOSTERING A DEEPER CONNECTION WITH THE NATURAL SURROUNDINGS.
 P R O J E C T 0 2 :

P O S S I B I L I T I E S I N P A P A N
 F U T U R E U R B A N S T R A T E G I E S
RAILWAY LINKAGE URBAN DECAY GHOST TOWN CULTURAL REVIVAL RAPID DEVELOPMENT ECONOMIC ECO VILLAGE

1900S 1980S 2010S 2020S 2025S 2025S

CENTRALIZATION (STREET WALK)
SELF SUFFICIENT (TIMBER
PRODUCTION AND PLANTING)
MARKET OPPORTUNITIES
(MARKET PLACES)
HERITAGE APPRECIATION
ECO-SYSTEM (ENERGY REUSE)
 Papan, once a neglected rural area overlooked by the younger
generation, requires a strategic plan to transform it into an eco village.
This involves accentuating significant locations throughout the village,
creating a cohesive narrative that allows visitors to effortlessly
understand the historical narrative of the area.

IV III
II

I
I BICYCLE RENTAL AREA

THE BICYCLE RENTAL AREA WAS LOCATED AT THE ENTRANCE OF PAPAN JUST A FEW MINUTE WALK FROM THE CAR PARKING SOME OF THE ROAD AT PAPAN WAS VERY
NARROW AND HARD TO FIND CARPERK INSIDE PAPAN. THIS RENTAL PLACE CAN MAKE THE TOURISTS TO PARK THEIR CAR OUTSIDE AND THEY CAN RENT THE BICYLCLE TO
TRAVEL AROUND PAPAN.
II MEMORIAL PARK

THE MEMORIAL PARK WAS MAINLY FOR SYIBIL KATHIGASU TO MAKE THE TOURISTS KNOW MORE WHAT SHE DID THROUGH THE STRUCTURE EXHIBITION AND TIS PARK ALSO
WORK AS A CONNECTION TO THE ISTANA RAJA BILAH. ALONG THE VISITING ROUTE, IT BECOMES A HISTORICAL JOURNEY ALL ABOUT THE FAMOUS PEOPLE IN PAPAN.
 III MARKET PLACE

THE MARKET PLACE WAS LOCATED AT THE ABANDONED SHOPLOTS AT THE MAIN STREET OF PAPAN IN ORDER TO GENERATE MORE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE
YOUNGER GENERATION WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY ATTRACTING A HIGHER NUMBER OF VISITORS TO THE AREA.
III TIMBER GRID STRUCTURE

BECAUSE OF THE EROSION OF BUILDING, MOST OF THE SHOPLOTS ALONG JALAN PAPAN ALREADY BEING ABANDONED AND CAN DANGER PEOPLE WHEN THEY WERE VISITING
INSIDE. HOWEVER, THE TREE GROW ALONG THE WHOLE BUILDING IS REALLY AMAZING. THUS, THIS GRID STRUCTURE CAN CREATE THE HIGHER VIEW FOR THE TOURISTS TO
VIEW INSIDE THE SHOPLOT. IT CAN ALSO ATTRACT THE PEOPLE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT PAPAN AS PEOPLE WILL CONFUSED WHAT WAS THE FUNCTION OF IT. AN ADDITION OF A
STRUCTURE, INSTEAD OF REUSING THE BUILDINGS WILL MAKE THE LOCAL MORE ACCEPTABLE.
IV TIMBER MANUFACTURING FACTORY

BEFORE THE TIN MINING ACTIVITIES IN PAPAN, CHENGAL MADE PAPAN BECOME FAMOUS AND ATTRACT PEOPLE TO LIVE IN PAPAN. UNTIL KNOWADAYS, THERE ARE STILL SOME
OF THE LOCAL WAS HAVING THE TIMBER MANUFACTURING SKILL. THIS FACTORY CAN ALSO CREATE THE GRID TIMBER STRUCTURE FOR CHANGING. THE LOCAL CAN PRODUCE
MORE TIMBER FURNITURE OR SOUVENIR FOR THE TOURISTS TO BUY.
V WETLAND

THIS SITE WAS BESIDE THE LAKE AND THE WETLAND IS VERY SUITABLE ALTHOUGH IT WAS FAR FROM THE ENTRANCE OF PAPAN. AT THE END OF THE WALKNG JOURNEY,
PEOPLE WILL FEEL RELAX WHEN CONNECTING TO THE NATURE. LOCAL ALSO CAN HAVE LEISURE TIME IN THE WETLAND PARK.
 P R O J E C T 0 3 :

E P I L O G U E – A R C H I T E C T U R E O F

E M P O W E R M E N T
TOPOTIN
THE BUILDING SYMBOLICALLY REPRESENTS THE IMPACT OF TIN
MINING ON PAPAN, WITH ITS CENTRAL PORTION SIGNIFYING
THE LAKE AND THE ADJACENT STRUCTURES REPRESENTING
THE MOUNTAINS. TIN MINING HAS PROFOUNDLY INFLUENCED
PAPAN, NOTABLY ALTERING ITS TOPOGRAPHY. THE MOST
NOTICEABLE CHANGE RESULTED FROM THE EXCAVATION OF
HOLES DURING MINING ACTIVITIES, EVENTUALLY FORMING THE
CENTRAL LAKE. THE BUILDING AIMS TO EMPHASIZE THIS
TRANSFORMATIVE ASPECT, HIGHLIGHTING THE SIGNIFICANCE
OF THE LAKE STANDING AMIDST THE METAPHORICAL
MOUNTAINS.
ROOF STRUCTURE
SPIRAL CORRIDOR STRUCTURE
 F O R M D E V E L O P M E N T T A R G E T U S E R S

BASE VOLUME CUT

GET THE BASE VOLUME ACCORDING TO THE SITE CUT THE MIDDLE OF VOLUME TO CREATE AN ENTRANCE
BOUNDARY WHICH CONNECT TO THE EXISTING LAKE.

CARVED LIFT
SEPERATE THE VOLUME TO DIFFERENCIATE LIFT ONE SIDE OF VOLUME TO CREATE PITCH ROOF.
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AREA.

LIFT
LINK
LIFT OTHER VOLUME TO CREATE DIFFERENT ADD BRIDGES AND CREATE EXTERIOR PLATFORM TO
LEVEL SPACES. CONNECT ALL SPACES TOGETHER.
 P R O G R A M M E C H A R T

RURAL REVITALIZATION

TIN MINING EXPERIENCING CENTER

DESIGN IDEATION
Tin mining was an industry which bring a big influence on Papan. The most
obvious effect was the changes of topography. It still can be seen obviously
until nowadays.
EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES FOR
PAPAN'S COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
YOUNGER GENERATION
BUILDING FORM
The building form was showing a range of mountain surrounding a lake.

GRAVEL PUMPING AREA SMALL BUCKET LINE DREDGE THEATHER & LECTURE HALL/ SOUVENIR WORKSHOP/
AREA STAGE SHOP
MATERIAL EXPLORATION
This was a hybrid building which was constructed by using timber and steel.
MUDDY TIN MINING AREA EXHIBITION PLACE TRAIN STATION EXTERIOR DREDGER
the middle spiral corridor was mainly constructed by using steel was to show
PLATFORM
that the formation of lake was come from the tin mining industry in the past.
Besides, the building beside the corridor was mainly timber construction was
to show that 'Chengal' was also one of the important history in flourishing
Papan.

PUBLIC LIBRARY/ ARCHIVE INTRODUCTION WALL LOBBY/ RECEPTIONIST

RESTAURANT EQUIPMENT WAREHOUSE BATHROOM & STORAGE

ACCOMMODATION SERVICE SURAU COMMUNITY CENTER

TOILET LAUNDRY

WATER TREATMENT PLANT

S I T E P L A N
G R O U N D F L O O R P L A N

1 L O B B Y
2 M U D D Y T I N M I N I N G A R E A
3 G R A V E L P U M P I N G A R E A
4 E X P E R I E N C I N G C O R R I D O R
5 T I N M I N I N G E X P E R I E N C I N G C E N T E R
6 P A P A N H I S T O R Y E X H I B I T I O N A R E A
7 A L L O Y E X H I B I T I O N A R E A
8 C O M M U N I T Y C E N T E R
9 C A F E
1 0 K I T C H E N
1 1 S T O R E
1 2 H O S T E L
1 3 S E R V I C E R O O M
1 4 L O C K E R
1 5 W A S H R O O M
1 6 W A T E R A R T G A L L E R Y
F I R S T F L O O R P L A N

1 H O S T E L
2 C L A S S R O O M
3 C H I L D R E N C L A S S R O O M
4 S T O R E R O O M
5 O F F I C E
6 W A S H R O O M
7 S U R A U
S E C O N D F L O O R P L A N

1 L I B R A R Y
2 W A S H R O O M
3 G A M E R O O M
4 P A N T R Y
S E C T I O N Y - Y
S E C T I O N X - X
R I G H T E L E V A T I O N
F R O N T E L E V A T I O N
 GRAVEL PUMPING AREA
THE GRAVEL PUMPING AREA CONSISTS
OF THREE LEVELS, ALLOWING VISITORS
TO ENJOY VIEWS OF THE PUMPING
ACTIVITIES FROM BOTH THE FIRST AND
SECOND FLOORS. THIS DESIGNATED
SPACE SERVES AS THE PRIMARY AREA
FOR VISITORS TO IMMERSE THEMSELVES
IN THE HISTORICAL TIN MINING
ACTIVITIES, OFFERING A UNIQUE AND
REAL-TIME EXPERIENCE. THE GOAL IS TO
CREATE A MEMORABLE AND IMPACTFUL
VISIT, PROVIDING INSIGHT INTO A
CRUCIAL ASPECT OF PAPAN'S HISTORY
THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE BE
OVERLOOKED.
PERGOLA AREA
THE PERGOLA AREA SERVES AS AN
OUTDOOR RESTING SPACE THAT
FOSTERS A CONNECTION BETWEEN
VISITORS AND NATURE DURING THEIR
EXPLORATION OF THE GALLERY.
SURROUNDED BY BEAUTIFUL
GREENERY, THIS SPACE IS DESIGNED TO
ENHANCE THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE,
MAKING IT EASIER FOR THEM TO
ABSORB THE RICH HISTORY OF PAPAN IN
A TRANQUIL AND NATURAL SETTING.
EXTERIOR STRUCTURE PARK

THE EXTERIOR STRUCTURE PARK WAS

CONNECTED TO THE TIMBER GRID
STRUCTURE FROM THE MAIN ROAD WHERE
THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF HUMAN. PEOPLE
FROM THE MAIN ROAD WILL ENJOY THE
STRUCTURE AT THE PARK AND FEEL RELAX
TO PASS THROUGH A PARK BEFORE ENTER
THE MAIN BUILDING.
EXPERIENCING CORRIODR

THE SIPRAL CORRIDOR WAS THE MAIN EXPERIENCING

PLACE FOR THE VISITOR. IT RESPONDS TO THE
EXISTING LAKE. PEOPLE CAN HAVE LAKE
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TRHOUGH THE CORRIDOR.
FURTHERMORE, THE MAIN MATERIAL OF THE CORRIDOR
IS STEEL BRINGING VISITORS TO THE ERA OF INDUSTRY.
WATER ART GALLERY
THE WATER GALLERY WAS UNDERWATER TO
SHOW THE SHADOW CASTING OF WATER, LET
THE VISITOR HAVE AN IDEA THAT WATER ALSO
ONE OF THE MAIN TOOLS IN TIN MINING
ACTIVITIES. SOMETIME, FLOODING MAY
HAPPEN IN THE TIN MING SITE BECAUSE OF
NON STOPPING DIGGING A HOLE.
T H A N K Y O U