The Kopitiam Evolution report

• 1. SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN FOUNDATION IN NATURAL AND BUILT ENVIRONMENTSNAME: KIMBERLEY EE SZE ANNSTUDENT ID: 0315319CULTURE & CIVILIZATION (FDES 0815)LECTURER: NORMAH SULAIMAN & DELLIYA MOHD. ZAINSUBMISSION DATE: 4/2/2014

2. Contents Title 1) Assignment Brief 2) Concept and theme - Introduction - Defining Kopitiam - The Origin of Kopitiams - Traditional Kopitiams - Modern Kopitiams 3) Research - The Old Fashioned Kopitiams - The Modern Kopitiams 4) Mapping 5) Images 6) Tutorial Sheet 7) Design of Graphical Book - Design Ideas - Mock up of Layout - Final LayoutPage no. 3. Introduction The concept that I chose to capture in my book was the Kopitiam Evolution, under the theme of food culture. The reason I chose this theme and concept is because I have always been a coffee enthusiast and was intrugued by the idea of finding out more about Malaysias coffee culture. If we take the time to look around us today, we can find that time and technology have wrought many changes on todays modern society. However, amazingly, we can find that some past traditions still live on even now and have become indisposable culture that symbolises our identity as Malaysians. Thus, I took it upon myself to visit various kopitiams, both old and new in order to compare and contrast what has changed and what has remained the same. My journey has thought me that the kopitiam culture is still very much alive and many past tradition are still going strong although certain things have changed to adapt with the modern society. 4. Defining KopitiamThe word kopitiam is derived from the Malay word for coffee, kopi and the Hokkien term for shop, tiam. Together, the phrase literally refers to being a coffee shop. A kopitiam is to some extent a cross between a coffee shop and a breakfast restaurant traditionally set in Southeast Asia, predominantly in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Kopitiams usually have a short menu of different dishes, but the foods that are constantly present are eggs, bread, tea, and of course, coffee.Kopitiams are often said to have originated in Malaysia and were most numerous in the city of Penang. However, when Malaysians migrated to Singapore in the 1940s, taking kopitiams along with them, the popularity of kopitiams in Singapore grew to be even greater than that of Malaysia.Kopitiams are commonly found in almost all residential areas as well as some industrial and business districts in Malaysia. They often appear as an aggregate of small stalls or shops however, some may be more reminiscent of food courts. All kopitiams share a similar appearance and are steeped in tradition and nostalgic memories of the past. 5. The Origin of KopitiamsIn many ways the development of kopitiams are closely related to the early Hainanese migrants. The Hainanese came to South East Asia as late migrants in the 1850s. At that time, other Chinese migrants such as the Hokkiens and Teochews were already well rooted in agriculture, commerce and trade. Thus, the Hainanese were forced to find employment in less lucrative trades.As fate would have it, The Hainanese people discovered a niche for themselves in the service sector. They worked as cook boys, waiters or servants in the local hotels, restaurants, bakeries and bars and as cooks or domestic servants for wealthy European and Peranakan households. At one time, some also worked as canteen operators in the military bases. Some of them became seamen and sailors and worked as cooks on board the ships. Later, many Hainanese became involved in the kopitiam or "coffee shop" business as stall holders or assistants. In fact, the Hainanese community has been credited with introducing the kopitiam culture to Malaysia and Singapore. (Bfsmagazine.com.my, 2013) 6. Traditional Kopitiams A true kopitiam embraces a feeling of culture, time, tradition and permanence. Most old fashioned kopitiams are steeped in tradition, with its own unique history. The atmosphere in a kopitiam is uniquely Malaysian, meaning that it blends several different cultures. One similarity is the kopitiam table and chairs. In general, the tables are marble topped and the chairs are made of wood with round backs.The traditional kopitiam is often-family owned and handed down from father to son from generation to generation. In fact, in the 1960s about 90% of the coffee shops in Malaysia were operated by operators of Hainanese origins. However, these days for many old fashion kopitiam owners, their craft ends the moment they retire because for a lot of them, their children have been educated and are not willing to carry on the family business, (Bfsmagazine.com.my, 2013).The traditional kopitiam serves as a social nucleus, where everybody knows your name, and the Ah-Soh prepares your days caffeine fix the good old fashioned way, (Azrai, 2013). The kopitiam is reminiscent of Old Malaya and still remains as an important part of our culture where we spend hours socializing over a hot drink. Besides sipping a hot cup of freshly brewed kopio the kopitiam is also a favourite for savouring a variety of local delights. The Kopitiams menu typically features eggs, toast and kaya, plus hot beverages such as coffee and tea. 7. Modern Kopitiams Now, in the 21st century, branded coffee houses have emerged. Thus, evolving the humble kopitiam in accordance to moderns societys desire to move forward without letting go of too much of the past. This is a new age where a new breed of kopitiam has emerged, one that aims to offer the classic food and drinks with modern conveniences such as piped in music, air conditioning, smart interior design and the 21st century essential WiFi. The revival of the old kopitiam culture started in the early 2000s with the introduction of new age kopitiams. These new kopitiams are similar to fast-food outlets which resemble old kopitiams in terms of decor, but are usually built in more modern, hygienic settings such as shopping malls rather than in traditional shop houses. However, many modern kopitiams do still retain the old-fashioned marble-topped tables, wooden chairs and chunky crockery. As for the menu, the new age kopitiams serve the usual local food, however they feature more extensive menus which include a variety of western style cuisines. These modern kopitiams aim to serve the nostalgic food and drinks of the past while catering to the demands of modern society. Thus, you will find that many of these modern kopitiams emphasize on comfort while maintaining prices right in between that of the local kopitiams and coffee giants. This is how the Malaysian kopitiam culture has evolved, from the old fashioned kopitiams that were the haunts of our grandparents, which have now fallen from their previous glories, to the invasion of branded coffee houses that are favourited by Malaysian youths. However, these new age kopitiams still remain truly Malaysian as despite the fact that they advertise and use modern marketing practices, they still strive to create an atmosphere similar to that of a traditional kopitiam. 8. The Old Fashioned Kopitiams In order to experience the environment, food and culture of authentic kopitiams, I visited three well known kopitiams that still preserve past traditions in their shops. These shops have undergone little changes since they were first opened and still retain the old shop lots and modest furnishings reminiscent of traditional kopitiams.Chong Kok Kopitiam Location: Jalan Stesen, Klang Description: a small traditional kopitiamlocated in front of Klangs KTM Stationopened in 1940founded by Hainanese crewmenKluang Rail Coffee Location: Kluang, Johor Description: a traditional kopitiamfounded in 1938 by Lim Huan Heea local favourite 9. Yut Kee Kopitiam Location: Jalan Dang Wangi, Kuala Lumpur Description: family owned shopestablished in 1928one of the oldest kopitiams in Kuala Lumpur 10. The Modern Kopitiams Modern kopitiams have recently become very popular and can now be found located in many shopping malls all around Malaysia. Air-conditioned, well furnished and equiped with Wi-Fi, these modern kopitiam easily draw in large crowds. In order, to experience the atmosphere of these kopitiams first hand, I visited three popular places.Uncle LimsLocation: Ikano Power Centre, Petaling Jaya.Description: brand name kopitiamserves traditonal foodspreserves the traditional kopitiam environment 11. Kluang Station Location: Ikano Power Centre, Petaling JayaDescription: part of the Kluang Rail Coffee brand established by Lim Jit ChenLim Jit Chen is the grandson of the founder of the original Kluang Station in JohorPak Hailam Kopitiam Location Aeon Big, Cheras Selatan Description: established in 1929can be found in many shopping malls around Malaysia 12. Preparing coffee the traditional wayToasting bread on a charcoal fire 13. Traditional method of toasting breadTools for preparing the coffeeCoffee potsModern toasterTraditional painted coffee cups 14. The traditional fare of coffee, eggs and toast 15. Bread served with kayaLaughing and chatting happilyAcessing the internet during meal time 16. Design IdeasInitial Ideas1) Separate modern and old fashioned kopitiams . 2) All old fashioned kopitiam pictures are made black and white to show age. 3) New kopitiam pictures are left colourful and bright.Final Changes1) Modern and old fashioned kopitiam pictures are mixed together 2) All old fashioned kopitiam pictures are given a coffee stained colour (no longer black and white) 3) Pictures are seperated according to the people, food preparation, locality and the food.