Our philosophy and practice towards architecture preceded Green architecture becoming the buss word. Sustainable design and simple design resolutions for energy efficient buildings was our culture. It can be said that prior to sustainable architecture becoming fashionable CSL was already keeping watch.
Endeavouring to design for the tropics meant re-investigating existing values and accepted norms. We do not subscribe to wholesale importation of ideas from abroad. Our Design and Architecture philosophies are home grown to reflect the climate and the local cultural.
Most local architects were foreign trained. We are vigilante against the regurgitating of knowledge gained during our First Stage of Globalisatiion into our cultural and social landscape that forms our Second Stage of Globalisation.
Besides architectural and design services, our principal engages in other related professional and social activities, teaching and lecturing, presenting papers on the use of timber architecture at conferences, forums, seminars, symposiums, and many of his writings and works which have been featured in local and foreign publications.
We do Projects.
All assignments are tackled from an Imagineer and Coneceptioneer’s position. Approaching issues from fundamental basic allows viewing the problems at ground level. Problem solving has to be from ground up.
Be it for Wholesome Architecture embracing Interior Design, Progressive Conservation, Integrated Landscaping, Inclusive Planning, the single most important ingredient is Man.
We engage the Public & Socially expand the understanding of architecture, heritage, conservation and the environment
Occasionally we lecture, run workshops and teach at different Universities and Colleges
Our Principal has been invited by various Universities/public bodies/societies to give talks/lectures and conduct workshops covering wide aspect of Architecture from his own work to other aspects of tropical energy efficient architecture, the environment, conservation, heritage, innovative use of timber in architecture and energy conservation.
Below listed are some of the Schools that he has had the opportunity to interact with:-
1. American University of Beirut, Beirut, Labenon
2. Brunschwieg University, Brunschwieg, Germany,
3. Catholic Chinese University, Taipeh, ROC
4. Curtin University, Perth, Australia
5. Equator Academy of Design, Penang
6. Hong Kong University, Hong Kong
7. Hull School of Architecture, Hull, UK
8. Institute of Technology MARA (ITM), Shah Alam
9. ITM, Bandar Iskandar, Bota, Perak
10. Lahore College of Art, Lahore, Pakistan
11. Limkokwing Institute of Creative Technology, Cyberjaya, Malaysia
12. Mackintosh School of Architecture, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
13. National University of Singapore
14. National University of Taiwan, Taipeh, ROC
15. Northern Territory University, Northern Territory, Australia
16. PJ College of Art and Design
17. Sheffield University, Sheffield, UK
18. Tunku Abdul Rahman College, Kuala Lumpur
19. Universitas Tarumanagara and Trisakti, Djakarta, Indenesia
20. University of Dundee, The Jordan Gordonstone School of Design, Dundee, Scotland, UK
21. University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur
22. University of Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA23. University of New South Wales, College of Fine Arts, Paddington, NSW, Australia
24. University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia
25. University of Technology, Malaysia, Skudai
26. University Putra Malaysia
27. University Sains Malaysia, Penang
28. Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
29 EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
30 International Islamic University, Kuala Lumpur
31 National College of Art, Lahore, Pakistan
31 Indus College of Design, Karachi, Pakistan
32 Alexandria School of Architecture, Alexandria, Egypt
33 Yangon University of Engineering, Maynmar
34 Royal Fine Arts University, Phnom Phenh, Kampuchea
35 School of Interior Design, Bangalore, India
36 EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
37 Auckland University, Auckland, NZ
38 Victoria University, Wellington, NZ
39 Canterbury University, Christchurch, NZ
40 Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
41 The Martyr’s University of Uganda. Uganda.
42 Alfa College of Art, Petaling Jaya.
We also try to explore the Architectural Frontier, investigate New Direction, and Energy efficient Architecture
Tropical Energy efficient Designs
Energy is used to provide comfort for man. It maintains cooling, heating, lighting, personnel and equipment conveyor system, security control system, and other building automation system. It drives sophisticated computers, which in turn control other equally sophisticated equipment. Modern buildings are totally depended on electrical energy to sustain them. To safeguard against any electrical dislocations, breakdowns, or blackouts, engineers provide back-up power supply, only to be followed by further source of back-up power system. It only serves to emphasis the importance of energy in any modern buildings.
We are told that the developed countries consume 80% of the earth’s resources whilst there rest of humanity only 20%. This presumably is the result of being privileged. After all we should not forget that the world’s economy and power still belongs to the West. Many people may not agree, but the tropic is probably the most important region on earth. It is also probably one of the least researched regions on earth. Research material pertaining to the impact of the climate and the environment on buildings if they exist, they appear to be very well stored away. The situation is further aggravated by the lack of published papers on building science studies and results or findings from Universities and research laboratories. Very little information is disseminated to the industry for reference. Modern buildings are relative new to the tropics. Many were designed in the last fifty years. Modern building automation was only introduced a short thirty years ago in Malaysia. State of the art building technology is still being adopted and familiarised, like at the KLIA in Sepang, or the Chek Lap Kok airport in Hong Kon
Concepts & PhilosophyProjects
- Architecture
- Landscape
- Planning
- Interior Design
Awards
- University NSW Alumni
- Norway Award
- Commonwealth Association of Architects
- Aga Khan Award for Architectural Excellence
- Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia PAM (Malaysian Institute of Architects)
Tropical House
- Projects
- Tropical Architecture
Philosophy
- Sustainable Design
3.Professional Affiliation
1. WACA (World Association of Chinese Architects)
2. University NSW
3. Board of Architects NSW
4. IPDM
5. RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects)
6. Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia
7. RAIA(Royal Australian Institute of Architects)
8. PAM (Malaysian Institute of Architects)
- CPD Lecture
- MA Editorial Committee
9. ARCASIA
- Sustainable Design
- Convenor Fellows
- Council Meeting
- Architects Asia (AA)
4. Lecture Circuit
Symposiums
02-AUG-2004
- Chengkudu Asian Symposium on Censervation and Development of National Architecture:Keynote Speaker
19-20-DEC-2003
- Kaohsiung,R.O.C. International Symposium on Community Architecture
- “Community Architecture as a possible means of regenerating community? A Penang experience, 100 Cintra Street”
Lectures
22-MAR-2004
- Talk IAI, Jakarta: “Works of Jimmy Lim”
- The Challenges of Using Timber in Contemporary[latest]
21-APR-2004
- Lecture at Alexandria, School of Architecture “Tropical Architecture”
- Conferences
17-19-APR-2004
- International Conference at Bibliotheca Alexandria, Egypt. “Cultural Indentity & Architecture” Organised by SEA (Society of Egyptian Architects)
27-29-FEB-2004
- Kottayam, Kerala, “Water and Architecture-A Tropical Lifestyle”
Seminars
- Seminar 1
- Seminar 2
CPD Lectures
14-MAY-2004
- PAM Sabah Chapter : “Designing Buildings fof Hillslopes”
15-MAY-2004
- PAM Sarawak Chapter: “Use of Timber in Architecture”
Others
- Keynote address to the Dutch Timber Day
5. Public & Social Activities
1. University NSW Alumni
2. Royal Selangor Yatch Club
3. Badan Warisan Malaysia
4. Royal Selangor Club
5. Malaysian Branch of The Royal Asiatic Society
6. Seputeh Residents Association
7. Royal Lake Club
8. Redevelopment Project Committee
9. Selangor Turf Club
10. Penang Turf Club
1. University NSW Alumni
2. Royal Selangor Yatch Club
3. Badan Warisan Malaysia
4. Royal Selangor Club
5. Malaysian Branch of The Royal Asiatic Society
6. Seputeh Residents Association
7. Royal Lake Club
- Redevelopment Project Committee
8. Selangor Turf Club
9. Penang Turf Club
6. Citations, Media & Publications
1. Architecture Asia
2. Majalah Arkitek
3. Conference Paper
4. Journals
5. Magazines
6. Books
7. Newspapers
- Articles
- Cuttings
7. Conservation & Awareness
Conservation
1. Badan Warisan Malaysia
2. Historical Heritage
3. Recycled Materials
4. Zero Energy
5. Natural Environments
8. Links
KL Heritage House
1. History Heritage
100 Cintra Street
1. Folk Museum
2. Pomegranate (shop)
3. Accommodation
Teak & Coconut Grove
1. Accommodation
2. Local Historic Site
3. Zero Energy Architecture
Cho Wei
1. Architect/Designer
Wei Ling
1. Jewellery Gem
2. Weiling Gallery