27.5.2025 Tuesday - school project

A reminder to sketch out ideas for the school. What a luxury it is to have the entire day free for thinking and drawing out ideas for actual projects (which will be built).
 

26.5.2025 Monday - a rewarding day

A productive day full of design discussions with Fiona to resolve the hotel lobby, office roof with JY and Sean, prayer hall location with Leong and roof profiles with Khaliq. 

25.5.2025 Sunday - 6 zero Double Black Diamond

1. Wait for the hostel appointment 
2. Temple Street renovation
3. Check and issue MAC2 plans and perspectives
4. Check Toorak house floor plans and 3D views
5. Super Santai 3D
6. Draw floor plans for school meeting for next Tuesday
7. Housing sub division reply given - I might call the man
8. back lanes at Kensington
9. Impiana BOMBA inspection
10. Singgahsana BP 
11. some sketches for Jefferey
12. discuss Springvale construction details
13. review MTT
14. Ask for LH's semi-d drawings

 

24.5.2025 Saturday - pasta carbonara

Thing to remember; use plenty of pasta water, and use the whole egg (not just the yolks) - that is the pleasant part of the evening. The not so pleasant part involves hearing about the goings-on in the PAM committee. How silly of me to invest energy on this - time to move on and not care about what folks think. 

Before I forget - another pleasant event is talking to Henry about potential collaborations and about using new computer software.

 

23.5.2025 Friday - hostel project

restoration of silos into residential units, using the silo as a structure (MVRDV)

The last day for one of the more promising interns who failed to live up to her promise. We spoke about this twice, and there were not significant results. So, I am glad I do not have to deal with her anymore. 

It is a burden to have interns because I have to prepare work for them, to make sure that they are occupied, and will learn from the process of doing things. 

Later in the evening, I text EJ and ask about the hostel project, does he get the approval from the Chief Planner. He answers - green light, we have a project. 
 

22.5.2025 Thursday - a quiet sense of achievement

 

21.5.2025 Wednesday - Renna coming to an end

Renna in the morning - one of the last technical meetings for this project. For a laugh, we 3 go and meet the people from the Hokkien Association in order to eat kolomee at Kim Joo. It is still as delicious as I remember but the prices have gone up.

 

20.5.2025 Tuesday - food and fellowship

I go to the Lot 49 meeting and it turns out well because Ros is there to clarify the planning arrangements and also because the PM confirms that the project is going ahead. From our meetings and so forth, I would imagine so; otherwise it is a huge waste of everyone's time. 

Earlier this morning, I cook a hot breakfast for everyone, I start preparing and cooking at 7am, we start eating at 8am and finish in about an hour. Lots of chit chat amidst the eating - this is the objective I want.

Later that evening, we do the same; fostering fellowship - this time with the former Intersection team. All four of us, 5 including Sam carry on the conversation as though we are still meeting fortnightly after our issuance of our newsletters. 

19.5.2025 Monday - some unusual news

sub basement calculations

I receive some unusual news that someone has asked a fellow architect to look at one of our projects. The way the message was worded makes me think that the client is either selling the land or the project. This is unusual because the project has not received its planning permission. It is also unusual that the client's team is pushing the consultants to develop the design and obtain costings at the same time. In fact, I have a meeting with them tomorrow. I thank my friend and ring off. 

Just like me, I might have assumed the worst - that someone is planning to take something away from me. When I think more about it - my client might simply be looking for a partner for the construction stage. In any case, it is not something I can control and if the project is taken away then so be it. We have been paid for work done. 

a random post from the St. Thomas's chat group

18.5.2025 Sunday - drawing therapy

I spend the day drawing up the plans for MAC2, there has been some positive feedback from our clients recently. The school hostel has made a return, but I am at best cautiously optimistic. Things to do this week:

1. prepare an executive summary for the hostel 
2. check up on 49 status and reply at the BP meeting
3. issue AI for floor penetrations for the hotel
4. think about the temple street meeting
5. technical meeting on Wednesday
6. issue MAC2 plans and perspectives
7. Toorak house floor plans and 3D views
8. discuss TB hotel floor plans
9. Safari floor plans
10. Super Santai
11. review floor plans for school meeting on Tuesday
12. watch out for the housing sub division reply
13. has we re-submitted Kensington
14. what is the status of 4.5 Mile
15. Impiana BOMBA inspection
16. Singgahsana BP 
17. What did Au say about the construction drawings?
18. some sketches for Jefferey
19. discuss Springvale construction details

17.5.2025 Saturday - one-hour long run

I registered for a half marathon after last week's 15-km run - today I start my long runs: measuring them with time rather than distance. Today is an hour's run: quite slow and hot, but satisfying. 6.8km only, I will improve.

16.5.2025 Friday - wedding bells

I have known Lek Heng since he was in Form 5, today is the registration of his marriage to Ngu Ming Siew. He invited me to be the witness to the signing ceremony, and I invited our office to join him in the celebrations. We were very fortunate to have a very friendly registrar who allowed all of us to be in the room, to take photos. 

The photos show that it's a good outing for the office; lots of laughter and chatter which is likely why the registrar agreed to have us all in the room. 

15.5.2025 Thursday - Tasik Biru

Due diligence requires us to show up at the launching in Bau, to make sure that our presence is noted, to be on standby in case there are questions about our project.

Freddie and I are very good at making the most of the situation, so we stop by Suzen and I break fast at 8am instead of 2pm.

The Premier drives himself to the event, and

14.5.2025 Wednesday - potential new work

 Richard rings up and asks if we are interested to work on a old Chinese theatre in town; I tell him we are interested. Who wouldn't be?

13.5.2025 Tuesday - being kind

I decide to house all 6 students from CYCU, despite their differing work/internship arrangements - we figured that they will have more fun, and can enjoy their stay in Kuching if they all lived together. So, I told them. 
 

12.5.2025 Monday - Pikabol

 Yes or no - I decide to go having promised Aneem that I would attend the PAM pickleball training. I am also keen to see how I measure up against the other regular players. Sam drives me and we see that WTK has converted their former warehouses into courts - good idea with children's play area and restaurant next door. 

Despite the unfamiliarity with the sport, I do quite well with Kheng's borrowed paddle. If this is the best PAMSC has to offer, we are unlikely to finish near the podium. All done in good spirits - I am glad I went - we leave after an hour. 

At No. 40 - I decide to make some changes - less tv and social media; more reading and listening to podcasts while I draw, walk, clean, exercise and work. Less food intake as well, and less exercise of the same nature. After watching Willis slides with art on the walls, I thought I ll start soon; painting instead of watching telly so much. And throwing/recycling things away - one bit at a time; I want a clean, uncluttered house. Is it too late?

11.5.2025 Sunday - Bestride Run 2025

Without enough sleep, I worry about my 15km run - I did not stop but manage a 2:04 time. SY is surprised with the turn out and the success of this run, PS the organiser is not there, we send her photos.

I am happy, and happier still when I am still able to play squash that evening. I plan to restrict my playing times; instead of fewer days, play fewer games instead. Oh, I can do proper press ups now; my right shoulder is not hurting. 

End of the Borneo Eco Show sending all our speakers home: we join the lunch after the city walk - Ryan has left, Ma Yue is bright and chatty, Pendrine and Narein shows us a photo of their son, Joshua tell us about kacang-ma, SY seems pleased with the outcome, Mia is resting while YuChih says Kam Sia to me. 
 

I am glad that my young people get on and enjoy each other's company - it was nice to get a Mile drink from Azrul. Very thoughtful

Extending our generosity and inviting folks whom we have just met to stay at No. 40

10.5.2025 Saturday - good summing up

 Sometimes things turns out well quite by accident. 

About a month ago, we received news that one of our speakers could not take part in our design forum. This was further complicated by the change of timing for the launching by the Dep. Premier of Sarawak.

SO we had to change the 2-day programme - the local speaker always presents first so Nick remained where he was. We decided to move all the speakers from large companies (and also coincidentally not selected by me) to the first day - Ryan and MaYue were from the same company but were given extra time to present, stretching the morning sessions till lunch time. David anchored the afternoon session until the Dep. Premier arrived. We also decided on the day to move the Q&A to Day 2 so that we had all 8 speakers on stage. 

Day 2 speakers were from smaller firms, and the audience is more able to relate to their projects, I recall deliberately putting Yu Chih as the last speaker because I felt that his projects have a feel-good vibe about it and is a good way to end the forum. Kok Ming must have felt that as well, as he gave Yu-Chih the chance to give the final word - to give advise to the small and up coming firms in the audience. 

In summary, he tells his student to have the courage to do what is needed, and if  their proposal is not accepted, it might not be a mistake, it is simply not right for this moment. He tells his students to go out and find their clients, there is a project out there. Similarly MaYue advises the long view, that things do not succeed overnight, and have to be constantly reviewed for improvement. 

a conversation with Si Yong two weeks before the forum

 

closing minutes of the forum - Narein (speaking) David Chen, Ryan Brooker (hidden from view), Yu-Chih, Kok Ming, Willis, Chih Wen, Nick Ling, Ma Yue.

9.5.2025 Friday - Borneo Eco Show begins

Extracted from opening statements of the BES Design Forum

Welcome to the first Borneo Eco Show Design Forum, over the next two days we will hear 8 speakers from all over the world talk about their projects who speak to the theme which we have proposed for the forum. This afternoon, we will have the official launching of the Borneo Eco Show by the Deputy Premier of Sarawak, Dr Sim Kui Hian. As you might know, the Borneo Eco-Show is a personal initiative by 2 local architects who are keen to test their ability to create a sustainable platform to raise awareness and inspire action from the coming, about energy and the built environment, about the digital world and human habitat. And to engage with government agencies, fellow designers, industry. They do all these while running a busy architecture practice, in Steven's case - 2 practices. This is what my grandma would say,...

And as you might also be aware, the Borneo has also prepared a trade expo for the next 2 days. You would have seen in on your way in. Their team wanted to explore the idea of using a recyclable system for the expo booths, on that note the forum doesn't provide bottled water for the audience, and you can return your tags and lanyards for re use. And on Sunday, the Borneo Eco Show has organised a run, 3k, 5k and 15k with prize money to be won. It's true when they say that Sarawakians don't do things by half measures.
And of course, in order to do this, we have had plenty of support from our local chapter of the Malaysian Institute of Architecture, Business Events Sarawak, Swinburne University, IntoDesign Lab, industry partners and various fellow architects. Thank you for making this event possible.

And finally, it is my pleasant duty to introduce our Moderator, who helped frame the theme for our design forum.
Cheah Kok Ming is a architecture design educator at the National university of Singapore. He tells me that his job is to teach students how to ask beautiful questions to inform design decisions. He previously worked with the Public Works Department, and clp designed schools museum and research institutes. He is a member of the Board of Architects, Singapore, where he serves in the accreditation team. He's my friend, you know...

On that note, I conclude my opening remarks. Is everyone ready? Let's begin. 

8.5.2025 Thursday - guests are arriving

Mia (R) was not going to come to Kuching as she was nursing her sick cat. But one day before the trip the cat passed away and she decided to travel, to take her mind of it and not to be alone in Taipei

With the absence of a 'committee' to help us to pick up guests from the airport, we have to resort to meeting them and putting them in a GRAB (deluxe). It seems to work and everyone arrived safely and happily.

Pendrine and Narein - who remarked that when this photo was taken, they were both still eating the coconut bun I gave them. 

7.5.2025 Wednesday - site walk at Renna

6.5.2025 Tuesday

5.5.2025 Monday - making a list of things to do

I met up with KS and his wife Christina yesterday and decided that I will not be spending anymore time with them in the future. He is retired and has time on his hands, he wanted to see how we can work on proposal together. He irritates me with his questions about 'what is the best roofing? where can I get good timber?'. 

Last night I decided not to give anymore time to KW, although he appears to think that we wants to see him. I do not. Too self centred, has a high opinion of himself and just generally not very endearing. Yet another young man is getting married, and we are happy for him - promising him that we will help out with his honeymoon expenses in Bali. We have another farewell lunch to attend - Lance has left SML, we are hoping that he would leave for Singapore soon but each time we ask - maybe next month. Mark has also left SML - there will probably be another lunch for him.

Monday morning is always a bit busy but the bonus today is the lack of soreness in my ankles as I walk to work this morning. I think it is the TCM supplements which Sam bought. I run at the gym that evening and felt good - there is a 15km run this Sunday.

Freddie comes by and gives me a long list of things to do - this is one of his strengths (particularly about money)

Lundu: BP subm tomorrow, claim 30% (after one year) prepare agreement between FL and MWAA. Tender set is also ready, ask when construction starts.

St. Jo: check toilet requirements, everyone is ok with new principal's office location, change metal roof to RC. I am to design gym layouts and change rooms.

Singgahsana: onus of proof on shop owners for cracks in their building, resubmit BP this week, issue glazing to QS cc client's team (followed by AI once AC issues resolved). I am to do penthouse layout.

SUPER Santai: send pre- SPA set to planner and engineer, cut sections this week. Final next week 15.5.2025

Springvale: lodge CAAM and strata docs requested by SPA, office design after AC is confirmed by Kevin, Steel const set - I compile, 

Tasik Biru: tender set and planning re-subm deadlines. I am to do the apartment facades. 

Tasik Biru Masterplan: Freddie to continue masterplan CAD, Ricco to do the skp.

MAC2: Khaliq this week 4.5Mile: comply with SPA comments, TOORAK: finalising with Sean, IMPIANA: waiting for BOMBA inspection. Kensington: do we have planning comments yet?

changing small metal roofing to RC, back stage not enough space

moving the principal's office to ground floor after 230 a.m. chat with Emil

re - layout to have a day bed/ bay window situation

The balcony facade are pre-constructed and can vary to add variety

4.5.2025 Sunday - home (and it means to us)

 

Home

In commemoration on our Journal's one-year anniversary, I thought it is appropriate to record something about the notion of a 'home' - a safe place where family members can gather and be counted, be acknowledged and not judged. Since our launch on May 1st 2024, we have welcomed 63 projects and their designers into the BA.J family home.

In order to be fostered, you simply have to be:

1.       From Borneo, and designing/building locally or elsewhere.

2.       From elsewhere, and building/designing in Borneo.

It is that simple.

If you already have your own website, or have been featured elsewhere - you're still welcome. We value your company; you can have more than one home.

In our life time, most of us have lived in several homes - the one we grew up in, the one which we build with our spouses and numerous other 'temporary' ones along the way. Each forms part of our personal history and its own cache of memories – their importance wax and wane depending on how and what we are doing at the time.

The family home we grew up in usually forms the strongest memory for many of us - our young minds sponge-like absorbing stories to be re-told years later. Like the story of how a family of 7 can live in a one-bedroom flat and still welcome relatives from Kuching to stay with them during school holidays. Or how Grandma would call each of her daughters on the phone each Sunday to recite that lunch-time’s menu, as enticement (or instruction) to come ‘home’ for lunch once a week.

But it is inevitable that family home would slowly empty, and each time we re-visit, it feels smaller and jaded. A home must do more than simply house its inhabitants, it must continue to foster new relationships and nurture the existing ones.

Part of growing up takes us away from home; work or studies or relationships can momentarily relocate/dislocate us. During those times, do we set up house? or do we ‘nest’ and create a home?. Some use time to gauge whether it is worthwhile to create a home from a temporary situation while others think that ‘wherever I lay my hat, that’s my home (Paul Young. 1983)

A friend of mine travels round the world with her favourite paintings, and hangs them up in her 'home' if she knows she is going to be there for more than 3 weeks.

I recently experienced this first hand; a home-invasion by 16 students from Chung Yuan Christian University arrived to stay at No. 40 (my parents’ house or amah's house as they call it) They are 2nd  Year students, here to do research and design projects for local sites. Each weekend, we would 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. At the end of their stay, I asked them to send me photos of their time at amah's house, and they sent me these photos which I am sharing as part of this article. It would appear that they know how to make themselves ‘at home’. They are coming back later this year, this time round I have no doubt that they will hanging up paintings, and not just laundry.

Many of us experience having to leave our home country ‘tanah-air’for further studies, some of us returned and many more did not. In a recent conversation with friends, we talked about our individual reasons for returning home to practice architecture. When I turned to the prominent Taiwanese architect for his answer - his was simple ‘you should never need a reason to come home’. The most succinct remark in this matter is from my tennis partner (not an architect) - who wished his children were working in Malaysia and not overseas - ‘they should come home to serve the community that grew them’.

To conclude, we simply encourage you to join us, and make yourself at home.

End

3.5.2025 Saturday - home to cook for friends

We get home before 10 a.m. I keep my promise to cook a Taiwanese themed dinner for close friends. I really like how it all comes together - 

Radish and carrot soup with red dates and gojiberries (me)

Chapchai cooked in miso with red fermented bean curd (me)

Tainan oil rice (glutinous) with mushrooms (Sam)

Soy braised pork (Sam)

Corn omelette (Peggy)

Ginger venison (Ivy)

Oolong tea cake (Eunice)

Pineapple balls (Dexter)

Satay (Ian and Marc)

I think it is lovely that every one took it seriously and made an effort to contribute. We are feeding already when Peggy Chai drops in as we are eating; bringing her dish. I am sure my friends take note of this and quietly wonder how it works for us. I feel that this is a result of years of friendship and nurturing. KW is in town and wanted to see Sam and I, he drops by with LH and Jenny. 

Ian our god-son arrives with Mark Liaw, we think that they are a couple and will wait for Ian to tell us. Unlike SPS who asks loudly - 'friend?' - which is just like him to try to be funny but ends up being mean and slightly cruel. I like Mark and think that we should have him/them over again .

 

2.5.2025 Friday - Daxi

1.5.2025 Thursday - working on Labour Day

30.4.2025 Wednesday - meeting Chieh-Er at the corner

29.4.2025 Tuesday - Art and Culture in Tainan

28.4.2025 Monday - lost in Tainan

27.4.2025 Monday - Tainan in the morning