3 May 2023 Wednesday - Goodbye and thank you, Uncle Philip

It always comes as a surprise when tall timber falls. Especially in our profession where the Almighty seem to bless us with old age. Uncle Philip was only 71. 

In his passing, Sarawak lost one of her pioneer architects - founding director of United Consultants Architects Sdn. Bhd., former Councillor in Majlis Bandaraya Kuching Selatan (MBKS) and former Deputy Chairman of the Pending branch of the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP). Philip has received many awards for his work as an architect, as a local councillor and as an educator. He was also PAMSC Chairman for several terms (1989-1991, 1999-2001), Deputy Chairman of Joint Technical Consultative Committee (JTCC) under the Ministry of Public Health & Local Government, LAM (Lembaga Akitek Malaysia) board member; actively involved in LAM Practice, Education & Disciplinary Committee.

'Uncle Philip' will be much more remembered as a mentor and guiding hand to young architects in the advancement of our profession, a sympathetic ear to his friends and colleagues, a generous soul to whomever seeks his advice about architecture, practice, education and art. In this tribute, some of his friends have recounts their favourite memories with Philip.  

 Philip was born in Singapore in 1952, his family moved to Kuching where he attended St. Thomas’s School until Upper Sixth, before completion his matriculation at Sydney Boy’s High in 1970. Philip studied Architecture in Sydney University of Architecture - where he blossomed and became active in student organizations and campaigns. This is perhaps a precursor to his involvement in PAM, LAM and the local council. During his studies, he worked first with Planning Workshop Pty.; a master planning and architectural firm under Darrel Conybeare, Bill Morrison and Peter Armstrong. Philip would later collaborate with Bill and Darrel on the Kuching Waterfront project in the 1990s. He later worked for Granada Homes; a builder and supplier of kit-homes where he spent a year as a builder on construction sites. Philip considers these as his formative years when he crossed paths with many influential lecturers such as Marr Grounds, Prof. Peter Johnson, and Lloyd Rees. Through the guidance of these lecturers, Ar. Chang was fuelled by the impressions left by them.

Philip returned to Kuching after graduating to join JKR where he worked with and formed strong friendships with many of his peers there; Johnny Sim, Vincent Jong, Sim Eng Miang, Sim Teck Hian, Chin Kim Yu, Simon Woon, Chew Chung Yee, Jon Ngui, Roland Tan, and Stanley Chai . In 1985, Ar. Chang and a few other architects worked to reinvent PAM Sarawak Chapter by working with PAMKL to amend and improve working policies. He would later serve as PAMSC Chairman for several terms (1989-1991 and 1999-2001); he was the driving force behind PAMSC’s Practice and Government Liaison sub-committee working tirelessly up to the beginning of this year. Ar Chang was Deputy Chairman of Joint Technical Consultative Committee (JTCC) under the Ministry of Public Health & Local Government; working closely with local councils and government agencies to standardise guidelines and policies, including revision of the Sarawak Building Ordinance (SBO).

He was also a LAM (Lembaga Akitek Malaysia) board member; actively involved in LAM Practice, Education & Disciplinary Committee., he was re-appointed as LAM board member in December 2022.

Ar. Chang set up United Consultants; a multidisciplinary firm in Miri in 1982, and United Consultants Architect Sdn. Bhd in 2008. Some of their significant projects include The Kuching Waterfront in collaboration with Conybeare Morrison and Partners, the Friendship Park along Jalan Song, Kuching as well as Curtin University in Miri with Perth-based JCY Architects.

Ar. Chang contributed 17 years as a Councillor in MBKS with the goal of amending the rules and procedures and to act as a conduit between architects and the Council. Between 2008-2011, he spent 3 fulfilling years teaching Architecture Drawings at LICT (LimKokWing Institute of Creative Technology). 

Philip leaves behind his wife, Tan Moi Moi and his children, Byron, Dwayne and Melissa. He is deeply missed by a community of architects who will always be grateful for his contribution to the profession.