Duality

Reconciliating duality has been my approach in design for a while. I guess I was very much influenced by the writings of the late Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa. Personally I feel that Kurokawa's writings were better conceived than his architecture. I was interested in the way he tried to identify the differences between Western and Japanese architecture because I think his theory is also applicable to Asian sensibilities in general.

In this design for a proposed 'Future School', the idea is to stay away from the conventional classroom layout by introducing nature into the interior of the learning areas. The classrooms are physically enclosed but 'consciously' open to the outside. 2 classrooms sandwiched a garden in between which also serves as outdoor learning area. The wall adjacent to the corridor stops short of the ceiling and floor to allow lighting penetrate into the interior. Colored boxes of inspiration are inserted on this wall which appear to be sliding against each other. Translucent color coated glass will be used to allow natural light illuminates the classroom.

A few display areas will be located along the corridor as a transcient exhibition space for students' works. The design is to create a 'performing stage' for students' presentation. As they are located along the public circulation area, more exposure and interaction among students is expected.

The Creators of 'Tomorrow's Penang' The One Sculpture

Besides the elegance and creativity of its form, the winning design also has a very meaningful concept. The form was inspired by butterfly, as Jerry put it eloquently when interviewed by The Star:

“This metamorphosis is one of the most amazing events in nature. Therefore, we feel Penang too should be transformed from a caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly and continue enjoying sustainable growth and prosperity,” - The Star Metro, Wed 14 Jan 2009.

Metamorphosis is indeed one of the greatest inspiration from nature. Although the end product, butterfly, is beautiful, the transformation process is however a struggle. All the eight pairs of caterpillar's legs will have to be shed before it can form the pupa. It will stay there for about 10-15 days (it could take longer if the surrounding environmet is not condusive) when during this time its body part will have to be disintegrated and reintegrated to form the body of the butterfly. After the cycle it will then have to push itself out of the pupa before it spreads its wing to become butterfly.

It is really appropriate for Jerry and Eilise to use metamorphosis as their concept to depict Penang's future. Penang has a lot to offer but because of the lack of political will, it has not yet achieved its true potential. There are a lot of struggles ahead of us to make this island a model of excellence. Like the caterpillar, we will strive harder to make Penang a butterfly one day!

Jerry and Eilise, the masterminds of the winning design. Well done!

Tomorrow's Penang

I received good news today that our students have won 1st Prize for the 'Tomorrow's Penang' Sculpture Competition. This is indeed one of the greatest achievement KDU design students have achieved so far considering the fact that the winning design is going to be eventually built on the site at Bayan Lepas.

I'm glad to see the growth of the students not just in terms of their academic achievement but more importantly their confidence as well. Even when all odds are against them because they have to compete with university level students as well as one of the judges is from the university itself.

Congratulations to Jerry and Eilise! Keep up the good work and soon it will be time for you to go out to show the world what you can achieve!

Hitting the Right Note

There are times when we scribble sketches which could look like drawings so bad that even a three year old could do better. We would continue to explore our ideas through these sketches until our dustbin is full of crumbled butter paper that spilled onto the floor. And at the end of the day we still haven’t got the slightest clue of what the buildings is going to look like. We then take a break, go for a walk or even play some games sort of to relax our mind and hopefully we would be struck by an inspiration. Sometimes these repetitive exercises could continue for days without any apparent materialization.

However, there are also times when we just know it! When every lines we draw fall onto their correct positions effortlessly. When there is no other option except the one we drew in front of us. The experience is like when a painting reflects exactly the aspiration of the artist. We have hit the right note within us. Such is the moment when we whisper to ourselves that: “Yes, there is truth in architecture after all!”

AGA Christmas Party 2008

We celebrated Christmas by having party at the office on 23rd Dec 2008. One of my colleague brought his PS3 and some of us were addicted to the games. Another one brought along his guitar and started singing solo. This is the first time I experience such a relax atmosphere in an architecture firm and it was fantastic! One of the directors even bought wine and beer to share with everyone! I always like red wine and this is no exception this time that I think I drank more wine than everybody else that day. I didn't get drunk of course, I always know how to control my limit. I just want that floating feeling if you know what I mean.....

Anyway, 2008 has just passed and we are on a new year now. Geez......time flies, I'm getting old and yet still so many things I want to do!

Happy New Year to everyone!!!