Retrofitting Makerspace: Unifying Outdoor-Indoor activities for Civic Engagement at Sentul Park, Kuala Lumpur

Abstract

A contemporary approach of makerspace that combines art, technology, learning and collaboration has been widely integrated into the 21st-century civic infrastructures. However, it has resembled chiefly the maker movement of indoor spaces compared to outdoor or hybrid indoor-outdoor spaces. Hence, this paper intends to explore the potential of retrofit makerspaces that merges the usage of the outdoors-indoor spaces for civic engagement. The objectives of this paper are threefold: (1) To examine a learning-design partnership in hybrid spaces through community’s engagement; (2) To explore a wide range of creative civic spaces that would foster business start-ups, job opportunities, products, services, and income generation; and (3) To develop a working, learning, and recreational space design concept that is more tactile and outdoor environment-oriented. The primary data was gathered through site observation and participation in the workshops and events at Sentul Park. Limited access to the perimeter of the private areas of Sentul Park became a setback in this study. Thus, the data collected for the inaccessible areas was derived mainly from reports published by the local authority, the site’s developer, and previously published researchers. The three types of retrofitted makerspaces created for education, community, and workplace, which unify the outdoor and indoor spaces, could become a trendsetter and potential platform for future civic engagement in Malaysia. More significant efforts and attention are needed to understand a community’s needs and preferences in the city’s ever-evolving physical and cultural aspect to make makerspaces a new form of civic infrastructure.