25.7.2025 Saturday - Eric gets a promotion

He's back with more time for himself, so we get him from the airport, take him to breakfast. He has not had popiah before, he loves it - I suggest that it is the same concept as their Taiwanese breakfast crepes. Sean plays the lead in taking him places while I leave for pickleball. It is suggested to me that I might play singles, as I beat Rudi again. But I'm getting ahead of myself, he's a low benchmark.

The gang of 5 meet up at no. 40 to discuss our plans for this year's workshop and his interns' tasks in our offices. But most of the time, we talk about other things, about his promotion - how one particular review made sure he jump through the hoops. It was about the time when I noticed that he was relatively quiet, so asked if he was 'ok' - he claims no one else asked this of him. I tell him it is just the old people's gut feeling that something is amiss. 

24.7.2025 Friday

 

23.7.2025 Wednesday - a study with a photo of the Sydney Opera House

 

22.7.2025 Tuesday - a bike ride, drills and chicken with cashew nuts

Cycling to the dewan surprises my pickleball mates, so much energy expended even before the game, then the bike ride back when I meet Sam for breakfast and a chat about how our friend thought it was right to 'punish' a partner, thinking that it was the right thing to show young architects in her midst. Sam and I think that it is a lost opportunity to teach a lesson about being gracious and magnanimous. 

21.7.2025 Monday - pathways and directions

A good day working out the drawings in time for this Friday's meeting with the 'school board' - I worry that they might make further changes to the block configuration. One of the drawbacks of falling in love with your design scheme. Freddie says to ask them to justify each change, and we see how to work around their mental block.

 

20.7.2025 Sunday - a good start, a bad taste and a decision

A few of our friends called for help with a project three weeks ago, we went and offered our ideas which they liked and promised to look into with their team. I wrote some notes to record it, for her reference when briefing her team. I also wanted to see if she will share these notes with her team, which I think she should as we are also part of her 'team'. 

This morning, she sent a messenger to brief us on her 'direction'. The project has taken another direction, which meant that there has been other meetings without us. I wanted to meet because I like the messenger, she is young, hardworking and aware that the messenger sometimes got shot (she was told that we won't get mad at her) 

19.7.2025 Saturday -

Sam's right hand is still on the mend, and she has difficulty cooking. To avoid cooking, Sam and I accept an invitation to attend a briefing by a travel agency because it comes with a sit down dinner. 

Although we are not fans of guided tours, we both think that the Chinese MC is very good, and the trip good value for money. We promised to share the information with our friends, thanks the host for dinner and left before dessert. 

18.7.2025 Friday - hard work, low pay and a mother's will to survive (the book)

Maid (the movie) - Sam and I watch this over several dinner-times. It seems like each time there is a way out something comes along to screw things up - and since this is based on a true story, someone has experienced it (or at least part of it).   I remark to Sam that if my mother was 'nuts' like the Andie McDowell character, I will go mad as well. Then again my mom's condition has not improved, she is getting more and more forgetful and I expect things to get worse sooner rather than later.

17.7.2025 Thursday - Dianne

Hi Min

I just heard from Chris - Dianne died earlier today.

I last saw her on Sunday. She reminded me of a very thin, fragile sleeping beauty! And calm, at least for the hour I was there.

The call from Chris not unexpected, but no less sad for that.

Chris sounds completely exhausted tonight - physically and emotionally.

Anyhow just letting you know. 

Marc and I had lunch today with Alex Calvert and Mary Constable. We were talking about Dianne. Amongst her many qualities it was remarked that she had a complete disdain for dickheads!

Vale Dianne

16.7.2025 Wednesday - telling stories, and a new assignment for PH

 An early walk to work, a coffee downstairs to sketch out some ideas before I head upstairs. I am making it a point to speak to everyone in the office about work and such. Today's conversation stretches to KL as I share some ideas about the new project in Petra Jaya. It is not our project yet but it seems to be heading in the right direction. 

Also heading in the right direction is Freddie who has been absent for the past few days. I guessed that he was busy, and indeed he was - finishing up the construction drawings for the resort in Lundu. It is nice when you don't have to worry about your team members, they just get on with the work. In that bright spirit, we head off to meet a potential new client, they are a large organisation and I wonder why they would need the services of small fry like us. 

During our briefing, I realise many people are not aware of the nice building in town, and they are not aware who the architects are. We share some projects and the backstories, they in turn share some possible site which we can work on. Fortunately, they suggest that we work on a small site for a small project - I prefer this as it is more likely to go to construction, which is what we want. 

Over lunch, we think Sean would be a good candidate to deal with this client, but he is too busy and it would be more work for Freddie and I to supervise. So, we thought of PH who will NOT need any supervision, he would be great with this client. Later in the evening, I briefed PH, he likes the idea and thinks that he can then have Sean as his second. All sorted. 

15.7.2025 Tuesday

 

14.7.2025 Monday

13.7.2025 Sunday

12.7.2025 Saturday

11.7.2025 Friday

 

10.7.2025 Thursday -

 

9.7.2025 Wednesday - an inspection and a request to meet

 

8.7.2025 Tuesday - a new daughter for dad

 

7.7.2025 Monday - running rings around the roof

 

6.7.2025 Sunday - too many games and a sore loser

 

5.7.2025 Saturday - not really

 A quiet day after no-one wanted to do anything, I walk to the office and start drawing, and then returned an continued drawing after mom goes into the study for a nap. I am drawing up a scheme, just to complete an assignment - I don't think the client will build because he feels that our fees are too high for this stage. I want to tell him, he has been getting free consultation for his last 2-3 projects so what's wrong when we indicate that we want to be paid for our work (or at least our time) 

4.7.2025 Friday - a simple sketch model for a quick chat

 

3.7.2025 Thursday - everyone is a bit distracted

 

2.7.2025 Wednesday - the end of an affair

 

1.7.2025 Tuesday - and just like that, half the year has passed

A friend texted last week, asking how much we charge for a feasibility study; perhaps he feels bad after consulting me for some many times, and we have responded with design ideas many times. But they have just gone quiet, no response other than 'we'll have a think about it' and then silence. Thing is I like him, and I like initiating projects, and sharing ideas - but time must be compensated in some way, especially mine. 

30.5.2025 Monday - updating ideas

Instead of fussing about the changes, we decide to push on and come up with a revised scheme. Here I am illustrating a discussion Freddie and I had - about improving the circulation and 'breath-ability' of the scheme. It has some strong redeeming features:

1. Classroom blocks have better daylight and cross ventilation

2. There are clear zones for pre-ed/primary, secondary, public for receiving, secure areas for students and for sports/recreation.

3. Kitchen is not land locked and has loading space. 

4. MPH is visible from the street, as is the pool and auditorium.

5. It has the feel of a village, and education town in its combination of hard and planted spaces.