architects
338DA
rdo
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE Assignment 02: Architecture/ Thought Pieces/Interview Questions
Group 4 Pricillia Chin, Ku Yi Fun, Chong Yong Hwei, Sabrina Yap
Published, 20th October 2020
rdo
the studio
CONTENT Company profile Start-up of the company Project portfolio Achievement Project phases Advices and thoughts Sharings
Company profile
RDO also known as 'Redd Design Office Sdn. Bhd was founded in 1999. Since then, the establishment has accumulated an impressive portfolio with well known works of interior design. RDO's participation ranges across a variety of project scopes comprising of residential, commercial designs, master planning, as well as designs for industrial, institutional, monumental and recreational purposes, facilitating comprehensive services in design and management.
BACKGROUND & PROFILE
MISSION & VISION The company is strongly rooted in the belief of developing sound business relations between their clients under the consistent assurance and care of the directors who never fail to be personally involved and aware of the on-going s of every project development being embarked upon. The company strives to cultivate a contemporary identity and commit to integrated green and sustainable designs.
Company profile
Elliot Chan
TEAM RDO (PRINCIPALS)
Ar. Kio Fook Khan
Ar. Kio Fook Khan is a professional architect registered with the board of architects, Malaysia (LAM), with a bachelor of architecture from Curtin University of Technology, Australia (graduated c.1998). Kio is also a GBI (Green Building Index) Facilitator and a corporate member of MIID (Malaysia Institute of Interior Designers). Kio has 20-years extensive experience as an Architect, Interior Designer and Project Manager having been responsible for a diverse range of projects, while under the employment of Zaini Dubus Richez (ZDR), Kuala Lumpur
Ar. Chua Seng Lim
Company profile
TEAM RDO (HQ) Design Architect 3D Designer Finance Manager 3D Manager Project Manager Technical Support Interior Design Manager Interior Designer Accounts Executive Senior Technical Support Design & Project Architect Admin Executive Senior Architect Assistant Architect Associate Director Design Manager
FIRM'S UNIQUE VALUE PROPOSITION
Used to have 50+ staffs, due to mco the number dropped to half
"When RDO was first established, we were a small firm. We had the opportunity to be be very explorative and that impressed our clients. In 2008, we were also given the chance to work overseas, broadening our horizons,"
Start up of company
COMPANY START UP COST OF OPENING The investment of the company was followed by guidelines given by LAM. A basic minimal set-up can be done with an individual and a laptop. However, a corporate body is required to register with LAM along with an additional payout capital of RM 50,000 for a small office and at least RM 200,000 for the office, renovations and supplies. It all depends on how far you want to invest as stated in the architect act. Hardwares and softwares are expensive. The main cost is actually on human resources because you need to pay your staffs, even if you have no clients. TARGET MARKET In the beginning, our target market comprises of the east to the middle east, with opportunities to work in China and Vietnam, even Pakistan. We have ventured together with malaysian clients overseas. Only one small project is from China. For example we have Guilin hotel, British University Vietnam in Hanoi. We did the phase one campus for the university. We submitted it for pam awards, and we got an honorary mention but we are not too particular about awards, we just do our best. We will do more publication, as we have completed more projects over the years e.g. high rise/ apartments. Design is not a one way thing. We cant be too commanding to what we want. I believe it is a process to have a synergy with the client. When the client listens and gives you positive feedback and there is communication to and gro. This would be what my perfect scenario is. Design is not your ego. It is about getting the right things for your client. And in the process of doing so, you are gaining design satisfaction. The end results I would say is usually a success because there is good synergy between us and the clients. At the end of the day, design is one whole single process between you and your client and other people involved in this coordination. In the end, its not about the pretty picture you see. Its more about the process behind it all. MARKETING STRATEGY Our marketing strategy is just to do our best. Some publication helps, it doesn’t have to be really formal, like using social media. If a good job is done, clients will come back or give referrals. Now we go by a lot of referrals , and some will come by the office.
Project portfolio
BUV (BRITISH UNIVERSITY VIETNAM)
British University Vietnam was a project with the Taylors Education Group. The building is located at Eco Park, Hanoi in Vietnam. First phase of the project was done in 2018.
Project portfolio
British University Vietnam used up 6.5 hectares land and can accommodate up to 2000 students. The university is the first and only international university in Vietnam to provide and award Bachelor's degrees directly from Britain
Project portfolio
SHAN YING HOTEL
The Shan Ying Hotel project was a project with Guang Dong Kete Facadetech Co. ltd. The hotel is located at Gui Lin, Guang Xi in China.
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The word Shan Ying, is the shadow of the mountain in mandarin. The hotel is like its name which is built beside the mountain view. The design of the hotel combined both fashion modernity and humanistic aesthetics in it. It is elegant and minimalistic at the same time.
Project portfolio
"Shan Ying Hotel has a beautiful setting. The setting tells us of what space we should design so that the user could enjoy the view. Its a small hotel only 30 over rooms. We used mainly local materials, found only at that area. Some of the materials are recycled too. We created very simple windows so that it frames the view. The building is very simple. Each room frames the view of the outside. The rooftop is all open. There a little avatar with the hanging pieces of trees. However these are what I like to call a 'pet project'. I used the site context as one of the informative elements to design,"
Achievements
ARAGREENS RESIDENCE PAM AWARDS 2016 / MBPJ ANUGERAH BANGUNAN CERIA 2018 Catogory 10 COLABORATION
Achievements
As Ar. Kio mentioned in the interview, they are not too particular about achievements. They try and give their best in everything that they do. Whatever follows after that, will come. They value the project more achievement that comes after.
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Project Phases
PROJECT PHASES " Our clients are usually from referrals, some clients come because they are impressed with our previous projects. The process: Schematic design follow client's requirement, dialog of exchanging ideas, schematic layout/ 3D, submission (planning submission done by planners) after approval > building plan submission> tender, documentations e.g. drawing > construction The process of design to completion is a long process, even if it's just for a bungalow as it takes roughly 2-3 years. The design phase can be fast but the time consuming part is the submissions,"
" The softwares we usually use are AutoCAD, Sketchup, Lumion10. Lumion 10 is fast and userfriendly. 3DStudio Max is slower, with too many lines. Lumion is easy to learn, I learnt it myself from Youtube, and it already has the necessary libraries for rendering, trees etc. We usually only use Photoshop only to touch up images. The estimated time to complete a project from schematic design to completion ranges depending on projects, with renovations usually having the shortest time to completion. If new projects it takes around 2-3 years; if it's a high rise building around 5-6 years. It can take up to 2-3 years on the designing and submissions phase. Some architects may work on multiple projects at a time to keep the money flowing in the company as some can only claim fees after completion. Luckily in the earlier years we were paid in advance to start to project,"
Advices and thoughts
PANDEMIC SITUATION " Across the board, most firms are suffering. And not just firms but for the whole construction industry. Unfortunately, this trend has started 2 years back when properties began their decline. Sadly, there is no Putrajaya to alleviate the market. In the 70's there was Putrajaya to help the market; there was the construction of a new city to aid the market. However, we are a bit worried as there are no such projects now. Bandar malaysia isnt like Putrajaya as its commercially driven. Putrajaya is the administrative capital...there wont be an administrative capital in Bandar Malaysia. By having an administrative capital, the government needs to invest a lot in the building needs like the governmental buildings you see in Putrajaya. Market right now doesnt look so positive,"
FUTURE GRADUATES. THE NEXT 3-5 YEARS "Next 3-5years. We will be exploring ways where we can work on some governmental jobs. That's one direction that we will be pursuing. As a multi disciplinary company (meaning not only us, we will be setting up a company with engineers.) we will tender or to bid for government projects. We'll have to work with Bumi partners as well. So thats one direction we'll be exploring. if we have the opportunity to work overseas, then we'll grab it as we've had the experience of doing so before,"
"Ive not recruited any UCSI trainees but I have recruited TARC and Taylors. The differences I see between theese two is that the local ones are very technical based. They have no problem with doing any technical work. Whereas the taylor's graduates lean towards design more. I could throw them a design project and they have no problem coming up with ideas and contribute to discussions. Local universities tends to over emphasize on technicalities. In terms of competencies, besides skills, characters, integrity, passion to do well is still the utmost imporant. because without that you'd just be doing a 9-5 job. And it isnt even a 9-5 job. Especially as a fresh grad, there are a lot of new things you have to learn. You'll need to burn the midnight oil,"
Sharings
ON DESIGN...
"Passion for architecture is important because the course is about 5 years long. There are a lot of burning the midnight oil, not just in your studios but when you come out to work as a fresh grad. Remember, it's always about the learning curve. To explore design to another level. Do not restrict your thinking. You need to know technical but think beyond the technical. Don't approach your design in a very direct or metaphorical way. Even if you're not happy with the way things are going, you're upset with the technicalities or how mundane it is, but you should ask if you still like design. If the answer is yes, then you should continue on. Architecture is also about the things you create. The feeling of seeing your building accomplished. It's these things that gives you the satisfaction and motivation to move on so that you can do better. Lastly, its a learning process. No one is perfect and no one's cup is full. And we all still have a lot to learn, including me,"
Interview session with Ar KIO at rdo studio
ARCHITECURE IN MALAYSIA "Studying architecture overseas compared to in Malaysia is different mostly because of the culture and practice difference. In overseas, there is an opportunity to really focus and concentrate on design. Most firms have a design team that takes care of the many aspects of design. This allows them to do many complex projects as they have a very knowledgeable design team. Unfortunately, we are diluted here. We do not have time to concentrate so much on design. We carry so much responsibilities. The practice overseas doesn't burden the design team with liabilities. They have contractors or builders to take responsibility on the work. So over here, our roles are diluted especially for mega projects. We have to be a 'spiderman'; we have to do everything. You need to be like an octopus in Malaysia. If you have the chance, go study overseas. Its a very different culture and environment. Advice for you guys, if you have a chance to open your eyes, go for it. Don't restrict yourself only to Malaysia. Finance may be an issue but you can always apply for scholarship.
Sharings
"There are many types of clients. There are clients who know what they want. These are developers normally. They are very commercial and profit driven. You need to know your numbers well when you present for them. Though they appreciate it, they are not too concerned with the concept or design aspects of the project. They are more focused on the figures. Developers want their product to sell and you are helping them to sell. Your job is to come up with a design that can sell, that's all. That's the commercial world. Architects here are trying to embody different roles as developers expect us to understand the market trends such as what unique sizes would suit this particular area. I advice you not to be shy in front of the client. You should show that you are knowledgeable because you are. You carry knowledge that they don't have. There are some projects that we're 2 years in but we're still in the planning stage. For 2 years. Its very tedious. Its tedious to follow up with the authorities of the area and that it isnt easy. Lastly, this applies to everyone, there is still a long way to go, even for me. There are still things I don't know. There are too many things. You have to remember a lot of things,"
YOUNGER DAYS "When I first started working, I literally slept in the office for one week for my submissions and deadlines. My previous office had a chance to get involved with some work in putrajaya so that was a very hectic time.
I used to have a lot of architects that I look up to or get inspired by but now not really... There are so many new architects out there. The famous architects are very bounded by certain styles. They've become a branded entity. So when people look for them, they are looking for a particular approach. Just like Zaha Hadid, imagine if she came out with a square building, it would not be Zaha. Or BIG, if you come up with anything boxes or interlaces, you'd recognize BIG. If you come up with a crumpled building, that's undoubtedly Frank Gehry. That is something we do not want to fall in. We want to explore the design in most aspects.
Group 4 Pricillia Chin, Ku Yi Fun, Chong Yong Hwei, Sabrina Yap
rdo
the studio
Published, 20th October 2020
Professional Practice assignment 2