20.9.2024 Friday - Kuchai Lama

 

19.9.2024 Thursday - hope is in town

 

18.9.2024 Wednesday - remove, repair, intervene.

 

17.9.2024 Tuesday

 

16.9.2024 Monday - a lazy day spent at No. 40

 

I'm not sure why I don't turn right and go to the gym. Instead I go to the office to sort through old stationery, to surprise myself with sketches done years ago; forgotten. 

Sam comes over after her gym to go for lunch with me; chatting about tonight's cooking, indoor plants, and office matters. 

Later in the afternoon at No. 40, I move the white table near the window. And sort through old stationery; more surprises. 

I'm preparing to do collages with old magazines. And restrict my meal consumption. 

Even later in the day, friends come by for a meal. We invite Stephen for the first, and enjoy his company along with the usual suspects plus Freddie. Steady Freddie, though young. 

15.9.2024 Sunday - Kenyalang to meet the minister

Deputy Premier of Sarawak and the Mayor of Kuching South

chicken curry moon cakes - disbelieving

the minister was late

 

14.9.2024 Saturday - preparing Sunday reading in the Borneo Architecture Journal

 This article was published in the PAMSC newsletter in 2017, and updated here in view of the current challenges faced by local architecture firms in finding Part 1 and 2 graduates for employment. 

Collaboration is where two or more people or organizations work together to realize or achieve something successfully. Collaboration is very similar to, but more closely aligned than, cooperation. Most collaboration requires leadership, although the form of leadership can be social within a decentralized and egalitarian group. Teams that work collaboratively can obtain greater resources, recognition and reward when facing competition for finite resources.

Not long ago, at breakfast, I was given a grassroots version of collaboration by the lady who brings me my morning coffee at 'Lau Eya Kheng' (Carpenter Street). The drinks stall was handed down to her and her siblings by their father. She started by asking if I preferred her drinks or her brother's. I wasn't aware that there were two sets of 'baristas' and said so. She then pointed out the two fridges in the stall - one for each 'company'. Other than that, they share everything:

1. crockery/ equipment- they keep track of breakages and pro rata the replacement costs each year's end.

2. shifts - they alternate between two shifts: 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 3 p.m. to midnight.

3. staff- they share one waitress, who works from 6 a.m. till 1 p.m

4 and most importantly, they share cost of rental. 

I was told that Line Clear Nasi Kandar in Penang works 3 eight-hour shifts. That's really making full use of your rental. 

Can architects collaborate in a similar manner? Not just for a project or a competition, but over the long term with a framework tor sharing work, workload, and fees (a potentially sticky issue).

The most common type of collaboration is usually short term; for design competitions or a project bid - where several firms get together to flex collective design muscles and see what eventuates. These are often short, intense and rewarding - like a summer fling - fun while it lasted, no commitments, but not sustainable.

More sustainable types of collaborations take several forms, such as local architecture firms who work as the 'submitting architect' tor their West Malaysian or foreign counterparts. They often carry on to be the contract administrator and see the project built. Some local practices routinely play this role, becoming quite astute at it; creating a niche for themselves.

There are also instances where two local architects collaborate to carry out a project; capitalising on each other's strengths. One party initiates the design concepts and develops the design for the other party to carry through to construction and certification. This usually happens on a project-to-project basis - when work load needs to be shared, or the client is looking for fresh ideas but not wanting to engage an 'untested' architect.

There is another type of collaborative practice where two or more entities share work, staff, premises, equipment and fees, and most importantly, a common design goal. This arrangement allows a small practices to have contemporaries for design discussions, to debate about contract and practice matters. 

I am currently in such a collaborative practice, and can speak about the other benefits first hand:

• a shared income; fees from their projects tide me over when my cash flow is low, and vice versa.
• shared staff; we both keep small staff numbers but this number can double when we need to meet a tight deadline.
• a more diverse client base, which results in a healthier portfolio. A combined portfolio and website gives us better standing in the eyes of potential clients.
• shared responsibility; I have someone to keep an eye on 'things' while I take my holidays, (and vice versa).
• shared equipment, premises, data base, and the list goes on.

Naturally there are potential pitfalls in every partnership, these typically stems from lack of clarity and transparency in the relationship. Some areas of potential conflict (and their solutions) are :

A. Fees - and how to share it. It can be decided on a project to project basis

but must be agreed at the beginning of the project. Before appointment by the client.

B. Workload - this depends on how the scope is split. The qualified person submitting the plans should be remunerated accordingly - it's only fair.

C. Design direction - this can be very subjective. In our practice, everyone big big small small can comment on the design, and other aspects of the project. However, the one holding the pen (the submitting architect) has the final say.

D. Expenses - in this area, it's best not to sweat the details. Split the cost, square the differences with a free meal here and there. It works well in our Asian culture.

After a few projects, there should be a common understanding of how fees (and responsibilities) are shared.

A clever person once said, I’m always better in a team’.

I agree.

 

13.9.2024 Friday - blessings from the Brothers

 An early morning discussion hears the client telling me ' don't get upset', before we continue to discuss solutions to deal with a recalcitrant contractor. The mood for the morning improves as we meet with the Marist Brothers about building a school - things appears to be headed in the right direction. 

I have lunch with friend and come away happier, though I think I will not continue this in the future. I return to the office to work on the big table with Sam, and ended the day with drinks and dinner on the sunset bar.

12.9.2024 Thursday - roofing and riffing with the client

 

11.9.2024 Wednesday - setting deadlines

At the Renna meeting this morning, we set deadlines for the completion of the project; Dec 2024 although they have not included much of the M&E components. Testing and commissioning can be such a pain, and this morning there were some lighting conduits which we were not happy with. Our main contractor's site manager looks weary, I tell her we are close to the end. 

Meanwhile, Sean and Jenny are at Singgahsana for the test piles, he shared photos in the family website. 

Back in the office, Fiona is back and we set deadlines for the new project:                                  18.9.2024 (Wed) - issue draft architectural layouts to client and appointed consultants. (M&E, C&S, Planner, Surveyor) for their feedback.                                                                                          

26.9.2024 (Thurs p.m.) - Client-consultants meeting to discuss:

a. deadlines for submissions/approvals; DID, SEB, SPA

b. project phasing

c. design review: architecture, C&S, M&E, planning, strata matters.                                                      10.10.2024 (Thurs) - CCM #2 - DID, SEB submitted. Draft SPA set

24.10.2024 (Thurs) -eSPA submitted.

I like it (after she corrected my dates) - while I was already at tennis.

10.9.2024 Tuesday - new project

speaking to George while at Corliss meeting

The morning's meeting is straightforward after which we go for a nice lunch since the afternoon meeting shows the prospect of a new project - you pick and I'll pay - I say to Leong. 

Over lunch, we talk about the reasons why I left DNA - in the hindsight there seems many reasons but ultimately there is only one; that I did not want to continue paying such large sums for staff whom I am not able to use. 

At 130 pm, we met with the man, the son says he is in a good mood today and it would appear so. He welcomes us with coffee, cake, conversation (lots of it) and counter-proposes a fee reduction. We agree to meet in the middle and on a delivery deadline; and conclude the meeting. All - good; we have work next year. As the man said, this project will proceed, we are not doing it to show off to others. 

During the meeting, I hear two things which reinforces our position as a practice; this is not a small project for a firm of our smallish size; and that we are shortlisted for a invited competition. 6 local firms have been invited; I am guessing - MNSC, DNA, DO, PDC, IDC, us (I wonder how he places LO? KL firm perhaps)

9.9.2024 Monday - stress and relief

The item of stress today is the issuance of the SPVL construction set; which Sean promises by noon but release at 5pm. After which, the builder sends a confused text about completeness of drawings - he has not even seen them yet. I put it down to a panicked stage of the huge task in front of him, and verbally promise to see him if needed. 

I start the morning really earlier to place the lakeside reception building on HP's desktop - I am happier with this building's language. And seeing the blood pressure monitor on the table, I take my own reading; all is good. 

Another item of stress is the current state of our project reporting, finances, etc which Freddie suggests an admin girl might help with. I am reluctant to have another person in the office, esp if I have to manage her, and it seems that she will little to do in between fee claims and pay roll. And I say so to the two directors at dinner time. The moment of relief comes when all decide to try out Sam's method of reporting for two months and we re-evaluate. Everyone is taking on extra responsibility, which is good because it is about collecting money they have a share of. Timely entrance of TY signaled the end of our directors' meeting and start of dinner and drinks. 

I remark at dinner that his boss seems to not stress him as much as his predecessors - he agrees. I am happy for him. 

I thought that this language would sit better with the lakeside bridge and also the outlook structure at the temple. 

8.9.2024 Sunday - happy after run

This morning, in the light drizzle I run into town for breakfast with the Sias (and the Lims, who didn't show) and with Eric and Alice (it is their last day in Kuching). Along the way, I meet Pi Tan; a little sausage dog who followed me for too far to be safe. I think she is lost and look for a number on her collar, that is when I find the name Pi Tan (might also be the owner's name, because she asks me to describe the dog when I my call gets through). 

Pi Tan I suspect is not the dog's name but the owner, when I rang she asked which dog it was...

The owner comes and collects him, and all is good. I continue my run but I am 15 minutes late. When I get there, everyone is there, Si Yong and family arrive a short while later. SY and Eric talk; he is curious about how we work together, about our relationship. He thinks it is unusual, SY explains that it is perhaps the small town mentality for people to want to work together. I am grateful for this, Jenny should hear this - to collaborate without fear that one party is going to snatch away the prize, the glory or the attention. Last night, she raised this question and I told her that this happens, and when it does - we get on with life but not before telling whoever took the prize that we are all watching you because you had better do a good job. If not, shame on you.

I spend the remainder off the day at home; pruning the lemon tree and setting leaves of fire. Later I have a nap while mom does the same, and then I get a lift to squash with Dr Kok. Dinner is ribs and cauliflower with white sauce. I eat less for myself and to save some for Jenny and Judy; all good. 

Sean takes Alice and Eric for a boat ride

Eric sent this photo as he left for the airport that afternoon, he plans to return soon.

7.9.2024 Saturday - fostering

Part of a text conversation: I'm skeptical that sometimes projects born out of good intentions might not have good results

 We are fostering most of the time. even training someone, my peers anguish about how they train and then ppl leave and work elsewhere. we cant control that, we foster while they are with us and then let them go, if they do well we should be glad that our paths cross.

It is the same with buildings - let them have their glory days, sometimes once, sometimes more than once (adaptive re-use)

6.9.2024 Friday - home invasion

A home invasion - of the nicest kind.

Three weeks ago, 16 students from #cycu Chung Yuan Christian University arrived to stay at No. 40 (amah's house as they call it) They are Eric Chen 's 2nd Year students, here to do research and design projects. Each weekend, we go over and cook for them. My friends bring food and join us, and we watch them.

I like how they gradually make themselves at home; running up and down the stairs, hanging laundry here and there, sudden bursts of laughter and conversation as the night draws on. I asked them to send me photos of their time at amah's house, and they sent me these.

We will miss them.

Samantha Yap Chai Si Yong Chan Shie Wah 王靖樺