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Michael Ching's Green Bin Autism, Green School Seputeh, Kuala Lumpur, makes innovative use of steel shipping
containers for a project that has to move in two years. Photo: CH&I Architecture

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Designs by some of Malaysia’s innovative

architects on exhibit
 OCTOBER 14, 2015

 DESIGN (HTTPS://WWW.STAR2.COM/./CULTURE/DESIGN/), PEOPLE (HTTPS://WWW.STAR2.COM/./PEOPLE/)

BY SHEELA CHANDRAN

As the national professional institute representing architects in this country, it is the Malaysian
Institute of Architects’ job to support its members by growing the eld. One such effort to keep
the practice of architecture fresh was the rst 30 Under 40 exhibition, rst held in 2011 to
promote the works of professionals under the age of 40.

Highlighting innovative works by younger practitioners is one way of ensuring the practice of
architecture in the country does not stagnate by relying on the same veteran names to keep
things going.

In a follow-up to that inaugural exhibition, the institute is holding the 30 Under 40: Revisited 2015
exhibition at Atelier Art Space in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Revisited 2015 highlights the latest
works of the architects who had participated in that rst exhibition.

PAM (the institute is better known by the acronym of its name in Malay, Pertubuhan Akitek
Malaysia) president Mohd Zulhemlee An explains that the exhibition showcases how the
architects’ works have matured and how they have contributed to the nation’s development in the
past few years.

“Architecture isn’t merely about designing pretty houses. It zooms in on understanding spaces
and the occupants of those spaces and meeting public requirements of health and safety. Over
the years, these architects have developed new philosophies and added a new level of
sophistication in their work,” he said during the launch of the exhibition on World Architecture Day
on Oct 5.
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Kiat Tung’s Picasso Residence, Kuala Lumpur, references the surrealistic works of painter Pablo Picasso. Photo: T&T
Architect

The exhibition features futuristic designs for private residence commissions, commercial
projects and green buildings. While the works of each architect may spin out in different outlooks
and concepts, the common denominator is that the designs are bold, contemporary and
sustainable judging by the models, concept drawings and photos of works exhibited.

Moving away from the run-of-the-mill are eye-catching public and community buildings such as
Green Bin Autism, Green School Seputeh in Kuala Lumpur designed by Michael Ching and The
Garage in KL, an open-air urban lifestyle centre and automotive culture venture by Malek Hassan.
What makes both projects unique is they utilise shipping containers in an innovative way.

Green Bin Autism’s architectural properties allow users to observe and explore the living
environment; the design also creates an outdoor learning classroom. According to Ching, it
provides an ideal setting for autistic children.

“The land has been provided as a charity project for two years. So we needed to design a
temporary building that can be easily re-built on another site after the tenancy. Containers and
other steel structures are used for that purpose, as they are reusable and recyclable,” says the 41-
year-old.

Architect Kiat Tung explains that exhibitions like Revisited 2015 provide homegrown architects
with an avenue to highlight their products, which are on par with international designers.

“The exhibition enables young architects to come to the forefront as the next driving force of
architecture in Malaysia. We hope to showcase our works to potential clients both locally and
internationally,” says the award-winning architect, who picked up PAM’s 2014 award (in the low
rise commercial category) for his work on Setia Ecohill sales gallery.

For the event, Tung has showcased the Picasso Residences in Kuala Lumpur, his commercial
project that draws inspiration from the art of painter Pablo Picasso.
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Chang Ye Shin’s illustraion of The Park in Bukit Serdang is all about abundant tranquility, harmony and a contemporary
lifestyle. Photo: Y’Shin Architect

“Architecture is an art form in its own right. Much like artists who approach a blank canvas, I draw
inspiration from a variety of sources such as artist Picasso and, in some cases, nature and its
surrounding. Ideas are everywhere especially with Internet nowadays. The challenge is to put
myself in the right frame of mind to pick them up,” says Tung, 41, who specialises in creating
sustainable architecture with functional aesthetics.

In a male-dominated industry, it is nice to see the works of women being highlighted. Chang Ye
Shin of Y’Shin Architecture is one of two women architects featured in the exhibition.

“Women are capable of creating architectural wonders that are as good as their male
counterparts. The key to success is all about determination, hard work and a touch of luck,
nothing to do with gender,” says Chang, whose designs The Park at Bukit Serdang and The Starz
at Sg Besi, are showcased in the exhibition.

Chang, who specialises in high rise buildings, nds it a thrill to create designs to suit
contemporary living.

“Houses and apartments tend to be smaller these days compared to yesteryear. While it can be a
challenge to design affordable homes within compact spaces, architects constantly need to push
the envelope further to come up with designs to meet the demands of customers,” says the 42-
year-old Johorean who clinched the Asia Paci c Award for Best Residential Award for two
consecutive years (2013 and 2014) for her work on Latitude in Subang Jaya, Selangor and The
Park in Serdang, Selangor.

The exhibition also features proposed designs for an international school FTL Global School and
MaGIC Monument, a landmark of Malaysian Global Innovation & Creative Centre by dyslexic
architect Sarly Adre Sarkum, 40.
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Sarly Adre Sarkum’s illustration of FTL Global School, a proposed international school with an alternative learning
approach and corporate gami cation methodology. Photo: Sarly Adre Sarkum Architecture

Despite his reading disability, Sarkum persevered and never gave up his dream to be a designer.
The secret, says the award-winning architect, is to focus on a solution, not problem.

“Regardless of the issue – be it dyslexia or other disabilities – have faith. As an innovative

designer and architect, I prefer to focus more on the solution and think beyond the norm or the 
proverbial ‘box’,” he says.

(https://www.star2.com/)
“Strength never comes from what you can do, it always comes from overcoming what you can’t,”
adds the founder of KL-based Sarly Adre Sarkum Architecture, which specialises in hybrid
architectural design solutions, sustainability, and zero carbon developments.

Check out the exhibition for the works of the other 26 architects featured.

30 Under 40: Revisited 2015 will be showcased till Oct 24 at Atelier Art Space, 3rd Floor, Block D,
Jaya One, Jalan Universiti, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Opening hours: 10am-6pm (weekdays) and
10am-2pm (Saturdays). For details, visit pam.org.my.

TAGS CHANG YE SHIN (HTTPS://WWW.STAR2.COM/TAG/CHANG-YE-SHIN/)

KIAT TUNG (HTTPS://WWW.STAR2.COM/TAG/KIAT-TUNG/) MICHAEL CHING (HTTPS://WWW.STAR2.COM/TAG/MICHAEL-CHING/)

SARLY ADRE SARKUM (HTTPS://WWW.STAR2.COM/TAG/SARLY-ADRE-SARKUM/)

SPACES: 30 UNDER 40 EMERGING ARCHITECTS (HTTPS://WWW.STAR2.COM/TAG/SPACES-30-UNDER-40-EMERGING-ARCHITECTS/)

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