Making An Impact with Design


Green buildings, designed to be aesthetically attractive, but more so, impactful because they are good for the environment and they impact consumers’ choices and decisions based on the idea of sustainability. In fact, sustainability itself has become the very focus for architects of today when designing these green buildings. However, being environmentally friendly is not all because these green buildings, residential or commercial, are designed to also meet the demands of the society in the economic, social, and technological aspects. 


At a more ambitious level, green cities are being eyed and developed, and green buildings play an important role. Sufficient to say, achieving that ambition will require more architects with insightful understanding on sustainability, along with good skills and knowledge of the building industry, because what is a green city without green buildings? 


But before anyone or aspiring architects can contribute to making the world more sustainable, they first have to be qualified for the job. That would mean, enrolling in a certified architecture programme namely, the Bachelor of Science (Honours) Architecture programme, offered in Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR). The programme is a recognised first tier of the two–tiers professional architecture education, complying to the Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM) Part I requirements.


“Our programme is designed to provide students with a strong foundation, which equips them to work well in a semi-professional capacity in architecture or related fields in the building industry. With the growing emphasis on sustainability, sustainable design has become one of the main goals and objectives of the programme and we embedded this component in our design studio. Students will be taught to explore green materials and green technology; we wish to instil in them a sustainable mindset throughout their three years of study,” explained Ts Tan Kok Hong, Head of Department of Architecture and Sustainable Design. 

Architecture students preparing their project in the design studio

He added, “On top of encouraging our students to participate in competitions that will further hone their skills, the assignments and project briefs emphasise on sustainable design in energy saving, environmental responsive, recycle and reuse, and heritage conservation and preservation. Along with this, students will also acquire transferable skills in presentations and IT, and develop analytical and creative thinking skills.” 

In relations to sustainability, the programme is related to the United Nation (UN)’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. “In particular, to strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage, and provide universal access to safe, inclusive accessible, green and public spaces. The programme also aims to support the building of sustainable design and resilient buildings by utilising local materials,” said Ts Tan. 

“Sustainability is important; and disseminating SDG knowledge is not merely to create awareness on the inclusion of disability, depletion of natural resources, and deterioration of the environment. It is our goal to inculcate sensible future architects who are able to bring societal impact on energy preservation, natural resources, and further improve the living environment,” said Ts Tan. 

An example of the programme in successfully nurturing sensible architect was the recent Best Green Innovation Award, won by Architecture student Lim Chen Hee at the Asia Young Designer Awards (AYDA) 2020. The competition encouraged participants to apply a holistic approach which was aligned with SDG 7,9, 11, and 13. The award ceremony was held online in January, and Lim received RM1,000 cash prize and a certificate for his project titled “Lost and Found in Paradise”. 


Some of the architectural impressions from Lim’s design

“I have always believed that architecture can change the world, people and create a better lifestyle in the future. My project uses local mobility to transform a new kind of architectural design, as well as a solution to spread the massive growth of Kampung Perting in a sustainable, social and economic way. I believe that could have contributed to my win, and I am very grateful for this recognition. I am also thankful to UTAR and my lecturer Ar Loh Khang Yong for all the guidance, knowledge, and skills received,” enthused Lim. 


Additional achievements by other architecture students included, the first and second Runner-up awards for Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area: Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) International Colleges Design and Construction Competition 2020; Champion, 1st Runner-up and Honorary mention awards for Guangzhou Nansha Bird Park Bamboo pavilion competition (Malaysia level); and 3rd Place awards for Quanzhou “City of Light” regional competition in 2019. 


“Since 2016, we have converted Architecture field trips as compulsory courses that enable our students to participate in exchange programmes with overseas partner universities. They will be involved in short-term workshops, seminars and even competitions. Our students have greatly benefited from these activities and these have enabled them to learn through cross-culture exposure,” said Ts Tan. 


The benefits are not limited to that, as upon completing the architecture programme, students will be able to use innovative and creative means in problem solving. Students will also apply the knowledge gained in their learning experiences with adequate knowledge of physical problems and technologies so as to provide a comfortable and safe environment against climate. 


“Our students are also encouraged to participate in external competitions which allow them to have peer learning from other institutions. The stringent and strict requirement from the organisers could also challenge their creativity and innovation to think out of the box and expand their boundaries,” explained Ts Tan. 


In addition to that, students will also acquire the skills to design a system or component to meet desired needs in design and construction problems associated with building design and environment. The programme nurtures students to relate the importance of built environment issues such as ethics, culture, social harmony, entrepreneurship, human relation, green technology as well as incorporating them in the built environment.


The career prospects for architecture graduates are wide, with options to choose from Assistant Architect/Designer, Draft Person, Architectural Illustrator, Project Executive, Assistant Project Manager, and contractor. Graduates may even choose to pursue post-graduate studies in related fields such as architecture, urban planning, landscape architecture, construction management, urban design, or interior design.