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.
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