The Tropical Malaysian House II

8 houses in Sarawak will be featured in Robert Powell's next edition of The Tropical Malaysian House, the 'Prof' and photographer Lin Ho have been travelling around Kuching in the past few months visiting the houses, interviewing the owners and architects.

The selected houses are a good cross section of styles and sizes in different locations. Megan and Chuan's renovated timber house is in the centre of Kuching, while CheeWee's bungalow in the Padawan Highlands, Mike Boon's tiny house for his friend is in sharp contrast to Sam Lau's cluster of family villas designed with Andra Matin. William Khoo's Borneo Mansion in fair-faced concrete recently won a Silver Medal at the PAM Awards - one in a series of courtyard houses which will be featured in the book. Mingi's nestled house is 2 blocks linked around a courtyard, while Arlene Chew's Keranji House is a series of pavilions laid out in a mature garden with trees. Richard and Dona's house for their 4 sons was selected after I sent Robert photos and sketches of the house.

I also sent him photos of The Ramp House, which he agreed to publish. I underestimated the amount of pleasure and pride the owner derive from this inclusion - a reminder to constantly record our work. 

The book is scheduled to be launched during DATUMKL next year.

Celebrating Local Architects

CELEBRATING LOCAL ARCHITECTS

The October PAMSC Public Lectures was special for several reasons – firstly because it was featured as part of the WAK (What about Kuching) programme of activities, which aimed to promote the local art and culture scene throughout the month of October. It was also special this time because we had two local architects to give lectures; my former business partner at Design Network Architects, William Khoo, and my former colleague; Voon Jun Xing from Arkitek KDI.  

For me, it was most special because it was held at the former Ting&Ting Supermarket, renamed Location X for WAK. For those of us old enough to remember, the Ting&Ting Supermarket is more than a physical landmark; it is a social landmark, one with emotional links to our childhood. This is where; in 1969 my grandmother bought me my first of Kraft Cheese and Chicken in a Biscuit. For many of us, this is a last pilgrimage before the building is demolished for other commercial development. So, while the new owner kindly allowed WAK to use the building, we wanted to stand in the aisles, climb to the roof terrace, and visit the cold room to hear if the lambs are finally silent. Or as I did, stand and give a speech where bacon was sold over the counter.

The lectures started at 9:30 am after our main sponsor Nippon Paint made announcements about their Asian Young Designers’ Award. Former winners of this award; their ‘alumni’ are often invited to speak, to motivate local design students to participate in the annual design competition. This time, we had Esther Wong from Johor to talk about her AYDA winning scheme, and some of her current projects at PARK and Associates in Singapore. As we watched her slides and listened, a ripple of nostalgia swept across the hall and many wondered if we were as confident and accomplished as her at 26 years old; half a lifetime away.