August 19, 2014  by

jimmy Lim’s Architecture

27.07.1989
Disk 72

Malaysia is a multi-racial, multi-religious society. Therefore, architectural solutions reflecting a common denomination which may unify various contradictory requirements become an issue to be addressed. For example, architecturally, orientating a building westward is not advisable due to exposure to the setting sun. However, whilst designing for Muslims, a westerly orientation is preferred as it is facing the kiblat direction, and this is necessary for prayer and kenduri. Likewise, the Chinese will never align the opening at the front of the house with opening at the back as this is supposedly not good for ‘fung-shui’, Yet, architecturally for the tropics, through openings provide maximum ventilation for comfort.

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August 19, 2014  by

Hotels in Relation to Tourism and Conservation/ Use of Local Materials

07.06.1990
Disk 16

The genesis of modern buildings started when man first sought shelter from the elements by building a roof over his head. When he felt threatened by animals or other adversaries, he either raised his shelter to above ground or built a wall around the roof which sheltered him. Essentially the primitive home developed from this simplistic approach to that which now exist in the modern ‘smart’ homes, operated and controlled by comprehensively programmed computers.

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August 18, 2014  by

Foreign Arch & Tropical Hardwood

11.12.92
Disk 39

Foreign Architect must support Malaysia Tropical Hardwood policy

During a recent Trade Mission overseas, our Minister of Primary industries, YB Datuk Dr. Lim Keng Yaik and his delegates were confused by some NGO’s in Europe concerning Malaysia’s continuing “to deplete” our tropical rainforest. The Malaysian mission were able to rebut all the allegations but were caught off guard and had no answer to a claim that “PAM being a member of UIA (Union of International Architects), which is opposed to the continuing exploitation of the Tropical Rainforest, had requested all member countries to resist specifying tropical hardwood for use”. This volley was fixed by Mr. Nils Carlson present at the conference in his capacity as a representative of the Association of Swedish Architects. Carlson is also the current Secretary General of UIA. He further claimed that Malaysia’s active participation in UIA was through a very senior member of PAM. The anger, frustration and embarrassment to our Minister and delegation was inevitable. PAM was asked to explained.

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August 18, 2014  by

Editorial

28.02.1990
Disk 53

When the proposal to develop the Selangor Club Padang was first mooted, there was an outcry and much was said and published about why it ought to be left intact and undisturbed. Many activists, artists, architects and environmental movements expressed their concern. Now that Phase 1 of Merdeka Square is completed and is relatively successful, there has not been any comments or praises for the first public space in Kuala Lumpur.

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August 18, 2014  by

The Destruction of Istana Bandar

16.06.1989
Disk 53

Whilst on the subject of conservation, I had the pleasure of accompanying a fellow council member of the Badan Warisan Malaysia to the above mentioned ‘restoration’ site.

Needlessly to say I was appalled at seeing what was being done to the once magnificent building. This project must be set aside as an example, a lesson to be learnt from for all Malaysians of ‘how not to do conservation’.

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