Excursion

The best way to know a city is to walk her streets.

Armed with that thought and a faint memory of Kevin Lynch's The Image of the City - we headed off with 40 students in tow, walking from the Pullman Hotel to their project site. Along the way, we aimed to point out EDGES and how they differed from PATHS, and how NODES are quite distinct from LANDMARKS (although some nodes are also landmarks, and vise versa). We also talked about how landmarks are not always built elements, or prominent structures in the urban landscape - a favourite eating place can be a social landmark such as the Open Air market, which  was a landmark from my school days; stopping there for a drink before heading home on a public bus. It was also a node as the bus terminal was next to the market. All the while, the fire lookout tower loomed high above the market roofs - it is one of a pair of fire lookout towers (it’s companion is at the end of Jalan Padungan). These two towers defined the extent of Kuching town and her DISTRICTS for many years; the Main Bazaar, Chinatown, India Street, the Golden Triangle, and the Administrative Centre. 

I was pleasantly reminded that there used to be a river (Kuching) near the Tau Pek Kong temple, I recall a petrol station there in my childhood.

They were excited to be out and about, a local guide called out 'I have not seen this for a long time, keep it up' - I think he meant tourists/visitors roaming our streets.

Since the walk was expected to take about 90 minutes (in the rain) - we devised a ‘walking’ quiz; many of the answers can be found during our excursion. some of the questions are:  

- Where would you find Corinthians in Kuching?

This one was to make sure they remembered their lessons from Architecture History - I read that this building was originally designed as an Art Gallery (perhaps for the Ranee Sylvia?)

- Get a mehndi tattoo.

This one is part of the immersive experience.

- Why is it called Wayang Street?

The companion structure to the temple is often overlooked, we wanted them to see hidden urban patterns and links.

- What's the local name for KaiJoo Lane, and why?

Many place and street names were given based on original features, buildings or people of the place; Upper China Street was known as (insert Chinese characters for me please) my mom still refers to Bampfylde Road as (mandarin characters) or Water Reservoir Road.

While the quiz was conducted like a game, it teaches the students to delve beneath the surface to uncover history and stories which might guide and enrich their design narrative. It is also the type of learning that you have, when you are not aware that you are learning, hopefully it teaches them to be intuitive in their design response.  

We shall see.

This photo must have been taken before Electra House was completed, here you can only see the Bank Building behind

One of my earliest memories of the Open Market was the bus terminal next to it; I loved the economy and the elegance of the concrete bus shelter (since demolished)

Mentoring by PAMSC

Crystal, Siti, Cheewee. Me, Ruifang, Brendan. Matt and Annie

Last Friday the 21st of August, at 10 a.m. PAMSC hosted an online mentoring session, led by Ar Brendan Tong (PAMSC Education Sub-committee) with co-opted student members from UCTS (University College of Technology, Sibu); Ms. Crystal ak Kulwant (moderator), Ms. Bong Rui Fang, and Mr. Matthias Chia (Graphic and Media Design). The mentors were Past PAMSC Chairman, Ar. Ng Chee Wee and current Vice-chairman, myself. 

The questions were collected earlier from students, graduates (and a few practitioners) to be answered live and to 'start the conversation'. During the online session, more questions were posted and these were answered by the mentors and members of the Education Sub-committee. 

I enjoyed working with the young people, I had reservations earlier about how young they were. In hindsight, I was very mistaken, not only were they mature young adults; they were warm, funny and confident. Furthermore, they represented the target audience of the mentoring session; so in talking to Crystal and answering the questions which she read out - we were also answering the audience. 

Answering the questions with CW was also enjoyable; I sent the compiled questions to him and we took turns answering them; 3 at a time, 4 at a time until they were all accounted for (some with accompanying slides).

From model to project

When we were designing the Sibu Heritage Centre, we divided the project up into several design packages: entry courtyard, the entrance 'funnel' structure, the ramp leading to the first floor, the interior exhibition, etc for several team members to undertake its design and execution. 

We had some difficulty starting the exhibition design, until someone remarked that the circular floor plan reminded her of a board game. This was especially apt as we are keen to conduct the movement of the museum visitors and sequence the display of the exhibits. We merged this idea with another which depicts the movement through Sibu's alleyways and lanes; ducking under canvas canopies and weaving in between street stalls and furniture.

The completed 'project' allowed the casual visitor to walk on the outside to gain cursory knowledge about the exhibition - reading the headlines so to speak. The interested parties such as these students would delve into 'alley-ways and lanes' to discover a more in-depth experience of Sibu's history. 

This project was completed in 2011

 

Sean

Sean has been working in the office for more than a year since his graduation for Part 1. Many friends think that he should have ventured farther to broaden his experience and be away from Mom and Dad. While this might be true, I think Sean can make up his own mind and make his own time about what he wants to do with his life.
In the meantime, I am just glad that he has chosen to spend time in Kuching with us - he is not the chattiest company for breakfast but he is the most generous with his lunch money. He is not the fastest CAD operator in the office but he is thoughtful and helpful with his colleagues and clients. He is not the quickest to respond to a request, but my coffee will always arrive in front of me; made just right. He is a dreamer first and a doer next - his Part 2 architecture education is our gift for him to dream.

Weak Ties

Qilin, Sia, Michelle.

The strength of your weak ties - I heard this phrase online today.

It refers to a study which showed that people got their first jobs not through their 'strong' links such as their parents, spouse, friends, but via 'weaker' links. It suggests that there is greater potential for growth, by exploring the not-so-comfortable paths, rather than the habitual and predictable networks.

Coincidentally, we were talking about this phenomenon over breakfast with Michelle Vaz and Xie Qilin. They were (re) visiting Kuching from ChongQing - they talked about conducting workshops which put Bartlett students with local graduates. Using the unfamiliarity, language and cultural barriers to create stimulus and hopefully, fertile ground for ideas to cross-pollinate and friendships to form.

Christmas present

 

 My Christmas present arrived by plane from KL

Chinese New Year Re-union dinners

The eve of the Chinese New Year is traditionally celebrated by a "reunion dinner" with all the members of the family, especially those who are working or studying away from home. The sharing of food is of special significance to the Chinese, so for those who are not unable to make the trip home - they are often welcomed into the folds of the family of close friends and relatives as a family member. Likewise, Chinese students overseas who are unable to make the trip home have their reunion dinner with their family of course mates, when many try to replicate Mom's 'Tau Ewe Bak' and Grandma's 'Ngo Hiang'.

Two years ago, my interns, students and I started the practice of sharing photos of their reunion dinners in our chat group. So, at the eve of our New Year, photos would come flooding in; from the other side of town, from different parts of the country, and from overseas. It is our little reunion in a way - many of these young people are like family members; my 'borrowed' children from another life. It is meaningful for me to see them in their homes with their parents and siblings.

Lionel

Melissa

Ching

Sarah

Jenny

I counted about 170 interns who have trained at DNA with me, with Suh Chee and Arlene in the past 14 years. We started taking interns at a time when very few architectural firms in Kuching would accept interns into their offices. Two years ago,  I created a FaceBook page (with Sam's help) for the DNA Trainees Alumni with the objective of introducing everyone to everyone; a network for sharing ideas, contacts and travel plans.

More recently, I changed the name of the FB page from DNA Trainees Alumni to Min-ions 2016. 
Go look-see.

Recently, I made use of this post in an article for the architect's newsletter.

Thinking aloud

In the latest issue of INTERSECTION, I shared some thoughts about the state of our profession body in relation to young graduates and architecture students, to stay relevant or risk being sidelined in the minds of the next generation of Malaysian architects.


Recognition and Relevance
As part of the Liberalisation of Professional Services, the Architects Act 1967 has been amended so that non architects may own up to 30% equity in architectural practices. Non architects mean just that - a group not limited to our colleagues in the building industry such as the engineers and surveyors, but everyone - developers, politicians, businessmen and graduate architects as well.  
This Act has taken effect after it was gazetted on 1st of June 2015.

The fact that PAM does not agree with these amendments means little. Our President has raised the matter with LAM and the Minister of Works, who clarified that the amendments have been passed and cannot be revoked. PAM will address the matter administratively by making amendments to the Architects Rules, and to that end, a Joint LAM-PAM Committee has been set up to draft the Rules.
But one hears the fading sound of hoof beats as the barn door is slammed shut. 

To be positive, one would imagine that the Liberalisation of our profession can be viewed as a healthy move:
1. More foreign competition means that local architects will have beef up their services to get commissions; resulting in better quality of architecture.
2. Foreign firms bring in specialist knowledge; collaborating with them improves our own skill-set.

However, these situations apply usually to larger and specialised projects; universities, hospitals, airports, and not to medium sized projects such as housing and schools, for example. Not all 'imported' architects are of the same calibre; it would be interesting to see how PAM is able to differentiate the masterful from the mediocre using the amended Architect Rules. One hopes that it works, because we have our fair share of mediocre architects already, we do not need imported ones.

In a recent dialogue between PAMSC and PAM President, the key problems facing our professional development and architectural education were highlighted though not discussed in detail. They are summarised here: my comments are shown in italics
1. The declining quality of professional service - many new graduates are opting to work overseas; those from overseas universities are staying on to work, while many local graduates leave to work in Singapore and Australia. This makes it difficult for local practices to groom their second tier; to inject fresh ideas, help with work load and continuity. It is little wonder why the quality of service deteriorates.
2. Low Passing Rate for PAM-LAM Part 3 Exam of between 6-20% - there should be a review of this system of examining the candidates. Perhaps longer time for each exam paper or shorter papers over more sessions. It should not be a test of speed, because that is not what happens in practice. In Singapore, there is an option for candidates to submit a report detailing 5 years of relevant work. We are all cut from different cloth, and there are many forms of practice - there should be more than one way to evaluate the candidates.
3.  Quality of graduates not meeting industry expectations - there are some architecture colleges that use 40% as a passing mark. When benchmarks are lowered this way, it is little wonder that quality of graduates is poor. In Tong Hai University in Taiwan, the prerequisite mark to progress to the next semester is 60. But let's not put the burden on the schools only, practitioners can get involved in school curriculum - as external examiners or by offering internship and training.
4. Architecture is not a popular career choice amongst secondary students -this point comes as a surprise to me, because I understand from my colleagues in academia that intake is still very good. "...why we have two intakes each year!..".
It is quite clear that the above issues are inter-related, so one wonders if this next issue discussed at the dialogue is related as well.

From January 2017, LAM will revoke the automatic recognition of overseas architecture programmes. This means that only degrees from local architecture schools will be recognised. Architecture schools can apply for their programmes to be accredited, whereupon LAM will send representatives to that university to 'validate' the accreditation. We were told that the applying university will bear the cost of this process.

The new Manual of Accreditation for Architecture Programme is available from LAM, but one wonders what the logic for this decision is?  Does LAM think that foreign graduates are lowering the quality of our services? If so, surely LAM can continue to vet and interview them for their eligibility to sit for the Part 3 exams. Is it not simpler to recognise the list of accredited schools in the countries where LAM-PAM has reciprocal relationships?

In any case, all this may amount to nothing.

We all know that the quality of graduate architects are largely assessed based on the strength of their school portfolio and not the school’s degree. So, graduates from non-recognised schools (some of whom are there on government scholarship) will continue to get work where ever they choose. And by not recognizing their qualifications, LAM-PAM simply makes itself less relevant to their graduates. 

With so many hurdles to surmount in order to be registered, it might well be easier for them to buy a 30% stake-hold in an architectural practice.