It is an honour for me to say a word at this truly inspirational graduate book.
The year 2022 has been a challenging for all of humanity Following two years of pandemic and disruptions to our normal lives, this group of students is still able to produce excellent design work. On behalf of the Department of Architecture and Sustainable Design, I would like to congratulate you all on your accomplishment. We are very proud of you.
I sincerely appreciate your proactive initiative in organizing an exhibition at Sunway Velocity Mall on 12 & 13 November, 2022. I could sense everyone's unity and enthusiasm. I am confident that the efforts you have made will have a significant positive impact on your career. With such attitude, you will be able to achieve all of your life's goals and dreams. Finally, I'd like to express my gratitude to Ar Ong Hun Boon, the studio coordinator, and the tutors, Mr Yap Kee Leong and Ar Chaw Boon Kit, for their tireless efforts in coaching and guiding all the students.
Thank you.
Best regards, Ts. Dr. Tan Kok Hong
Head, Department of Architecture & Sustainable Design
Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering & Science University Tunku Abdul Rahman
Graduation is not a full stop; It is a semicolon as our journeys are just beginning. We came from everywhere, altogether as a class like a collage.
The possibility of architecture is endless; the creativity in minds is endless; the relationship between architecture and us is endless.
Ipoh: Urban Regen eration for th e En demic Phase Social Distan ce –
Ipoh, the capital city of Perak Darul Ridzuan in Malaysia which grew out from a Malay village of Paloh on the banks of Kinta River in the late 1800s is dubbed as the Hipster Capital of Malaysia by many tourism organizations nowadays.
When the COVID-19 hit us in the beginning of 2020, many things changed, including Ipoh. Many suffered from the effect brought by COVID-19. Not only human lives are lost, many other effects such as loss of kin or family, loss of jobs, pay cuts, side effects of recovery from COVID, psychology problems, family issues, closing down of businesses are among those frequently observed. The impact brought by the pandemic, to a certain extent, changed the way we perceive life, changed the way we live, changed the way we practice hygiene, changed the way we shop, changed the socio economic landscape, etc. People were kept a distance from each other under social distancing rule for more than two years; some even separated from family and friends for a long distance. Apart from social distance, space had been a luxury in the past years during the pandemic era.
As our country moves into the Endemic Phase from 1st April 2022, there is a need to put things back on track in the new normal. You are now entrusted with an architecture design solution to address the matter(s), with the aim to bring Ipoh to its next glory Your design should also contribute to an urban green lung for the people. The design not only aims to regenerate the city but also to bring the people together, once again.
Thank you for your generosity.
Theme Create Holding Sdn. Bhd.
Mr. Yap Kee Leong Ar. Liaw Kok Chuan
PHOTO CREDIT: SHARON THIEN