Architecture Scene in Malaysia

Although I live in Australia, I am still interested in my own country's affair especially the architectural social circle. I am still in contact with most of my friends, picking out the gist of what is good and what is controversial.

I always read up on Prof Tajuddin's writing on TheStar.com. and always buy the paper which has his article whenever I am at home. He himself is no stranger in the business. He has a few books to his name and I do admit that his arguments are solely for the benefit of nation building, in this case, Malaysia.

Link: Architecture Inside Out

I wonder what he would say to the following articles or opinion posted by The Star readers on LAM Architect Registration.

Read up these two articles and I think the president didn't really address the issue. Issue that needed to be addressed are:

Article 1: Big stumbling blocks for architects

Article 2: No answers to exam queries

1. Transparency - so only 9% passed the exam. Why? Specific cases please? Can you please disclose unwanted answers that actually has been answered for the exam? Considering that the exam is only once a year and thinking of all the studying done is for nothing. I think the examination council has to publish a 'post-mortem booklet' to all unsuccessful applicants so that they know what has gone wrong and with this they'll remember what NOT to do next.

2. Up-to-date information on the internet - with the current wide world of web, website of an architectural organization should be beneficial to its members and also to the community who wish to seek answers regarding the profession. LAM/PAM doesn't do this - at least not extensively. Basic information has been posted just enough so that people grasp the idea, but if you have any questions, please contact the office. I dont mean to juxtapose unfairly to my own country but if you have a look at other architecture associations throughout the world, their websites has some substantial information.

Recently, I have contacted the office of LAM, asking about Part 1 & Part 2 recognition. The answer I got was that as long as the degrees are recognized by AACA (Architects Accreditation Council of Australia) we should be able to register for Part 3 straightaway.

So this means that I have to register as a graduate architect for at least a year, fill up my log book and -voila!- ready for Part 3 exam.

It doesn't seem that easy nowadays...

May the Greatest Oscar live forever!

Maybe he is cheating death or simply because God let him live to spread his brilliant designs on earth? I stay content with the second.

Read this news clipping:

Oscar Niemeyer Back to Work Following Surgeries

By Steve Delahoyde on Nov 23, 2009 07:02 AM

Back in early October, we were getting a little worried about Oscar Niemeyer, the world's oldest starchitect (I.M. Pei ranks second), who at 101 had undergone two major surgeries, one planned, one not. But like we said back then, "if there's one thing we can say about Niemeyer, he's a fighter." And how right we were. A Brazilian newspaper is reporting that his recovery has gone well and, surprise surprise, he's back to work:

The daily newspaper O Globo reports that Niemeyer is working on a collection of buildings in the city of Niteroi, outside of Rio de Janeiro.

Here's to fifty more years of productivity, Mr. Niemeyer.

(news article taken from mediabistro.com )

Some of his greatest works lie in the heart of Brasilia, Brazil. Brasilia was designed by the grand master - Le Corbusier and honour was given to Oscar to design a few buildings in the precinct, namely: the National Congress, the Cathedral, the National Library and National Gallery.

For more reading, click the links below:

Oscar Niemeyer - Wikipedia

Brasilia Brazil Info

3 Rs - Reduce, Re-use, Recycle

I was taught of these three principles in Year 4 of my first degree. We were exposed to a plethora of sustainable projects and construction materials. At that time, I thought - Wow, if we use these principles carefully we can really make an impact. So years went by and the principles became one of my criteria of observing the environment.
I went to further study for the professional degree (some called it B.Arch, some called it Post-Grad degree, some called it Masters now) and my observation became a thesis in implementing sustainable ideas. Although I never use any sort of sustainable principles directly into my student projects, my peers' arguments sometimes made me wonder.

So to implement sustainability, there are 3 Rs - Reduce, Re-use, Recycle. So at uni, what do we learn?
Reduce - not reduce the workload! I think in a way reduce the independence of the subjects that are offered. I found that the subjects are too different with each other that it is so riddiculous to inter-relate. For example, at my uni, my thesis subject has no connection whatsoever with the major design subject. Well, although the old syllabus supported this, not the one I took. So I did miss out on the integrated part of the study. Oh well, so much for $20k a year.
Re-use - plagiarism. While its good to develop one topic over and over, this facility might be taken for granted by students who just wants to copy other people's work. But how much originality can one produce? Its a hard and tough world and not many has the ideals to bringforth into the real working world.
Recycle - I loved the recycle bin at uni! When I did my first degree, for the first 2 years I didn't buy much model materials because we picked up things from the recycle bin. Like they said, 'Someone else's trash is someone else's treasure'. I agree with that because we might find a diamond in the rough. Different textures and colours give the model a little spice.

So the proper way to Sustainable futures? Implement 3 Rs deep inside your hear first.