The Tzu Chi Foundation is a global NGO which focuses on giving material and medical aid and inspiring love and humanity to both givers and receivers. Malaysia is fortunate
to enjoy the Foundation’s charity and kindness. The pebbles are skillfully plastered on all surfaces and washed to expose the pebbles.

One can hardly see any cement in between the pebbles which are almost three dimensionally protruding out from the surface. Every cemented groove line is aligned
equidistant and horizontally level showing precision and care in the work executed.

About 11,000 bags (220 tons) of pebbles and 750 bags (37.50 tons) cement were manually moved, mixed and applied to the surfaces of the entire project. Pebbles were mixed with portable mixers, wheelbarrowed to location and hoisted, bucket by bucket, up or down different levels, to roof ridges, curved fascia beams, etc.

The general contractor built the concrete structure, columns and brick walls. We were commissioned to check dimensions of all structures that required pebble wash. Many
areas were hacked, saw cut, trimmed and re-screeded to the correct dimensions, and the walls hacked and re-screeded flat to receive 12-15mm thick pebbles. All windows and doors, wall copings, every nook and corner were also checked and many realigned to be horizontally level and all walls and columns also realigned vertically.

The mustache-like curved fascia rc beams at the front and back of the 3 building were
meticulously measured, marked, hacked and re-screeded by our team before applying the 12-15mm thick pebble wash. No templates were used and all 6 sets of curved fascia rc beams were manually hand crafted to attain almost perfect symmetry.

The body of the gate and fence pillars were constructed the GC and Bomanite constructed the little huts that are atop the body of about 200 pillars surrounding the development.

Meticulous workmanship was required for the small surfaces of the little huts that were about 450mm x 450mm with repeats of the curved facscia roofs on each of them.

The greatest challenge may be the back wall of the center building. There were no balconies, just a big 5-storey bare wall accessible only externally by scaffolding. The pebbles were mixed inside the building and passed through windows if there were any or hoisted down to the levels where there were no windows…. bucket by bucket and plastered square foot by square foot on to the 5- storey bare wall. Even though our team was equipped with safety harnesses, it was terrifying just to watch them.

In spite of the challenges, difficulty, Covid restrictions, rules and regulations the result is a calming, peaceful and yet spectacular project consisting of a grand hall for assemblies, a book store and café, and a kindergarten. A beautiful “home” to provide children and Tzu Chi members with whole-some education to inculcate good moral values and to build noble character to contribute in building peace and harmony, the hope of society.