Legendary Architects

Throughout history, architects whose works are well known to the general public are few and far between, a natural fact, considering the vast number of architects at any given time or generation who have emerged from schools, colleges, worked or went into practice, and yet remained unknown all their lives. Of these few, some, like Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Sinan, I M Pei and Walter Burley Griffin among others, had gone so far as to become household names known to the average person, achieving legendary status for architectural works that made great impact on their community and its history. Some others are well known within architectural circles or people involved in design and construction, their works being featured in periodicals, or by having achieved a level of maturity or fame that numerous architectural publications have been written about them.

Unlike their counterparts in the middle ages who achieved fame by working under patronage of the State or the Church, architects of the modern era achieved reverence for their works mainly from recognition by their peers for important contributions they had made in the field of architecture, both from the philosophical and technological standpoint. Such achievements were initially publicized within the architectural community through magazines, college publications or discourses in architectural schools. In the twentieth century, by virtue of architectural theories being primarily concerned with the development of society and improvements to the built environment, many architects soon became featured in the popular press. In the post-war era, for example, Time magazine occasionally featured architects on its front cover, such as Le Corbusier, Eero Saarinen, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and in more recent times, Philip Johnson, Peter Eisenman, Rem Koolhaas and Zaha Hadid.

Today, architects are honoured as laureates in many international and regional architectural prizes, among the most prestigious being the Pritzker Prize, the RIBA Royal Gold Medal, the AIA Gold Medal and the Aga Khan Award for Architecture. The selection process for these prizes is invariably stringent, with nominations received from all over the world, the eventual winner being decided by a highly qualified panel of jury comprising recognized professionals in various fields ranging from architecture, business, education, art, culture and publishing.

These prizes reveal important recognizable traits of the recipients as embodied in their works. Outstanding architects are people of character, integrity and genius. Most display great personal qualities as innovators who, with tireless devotion to their art, coupled with honest and correct intentions, strive to look for better ways to build. In doing so, they create architectural works that employ either cutting edge technology that change the way people look at construction and its paradigms, or in contrast, use the simplest utilitarian methods of local construction tradition, that revive public interest in hitherto little known regional arts or crafts as a means to address humanistic needs. Furthermore, they use materials that are economical and practical to its purpose, but arranged in new, thought provoking, unprecedented ways that place their buildings at the frontiers of artistic expression.

Now, architectural writers use a popular term, ‘starchitects’, coined as a neologism to describe architects who have achieved celebrity status, having produced outstanding works in the field of architecture. Giving celebrity status to architects is nothing new, but a natural tendency by society to recognize outstanding artists, a notion that had existed since the Renaissance. However, only time will tell if a ‘starchitect’ will become legendary, an outstanding individual whose timeless works will remain revered by generations to come.

A primer for Architecture students (Letter to Arvin Hadlos)

I received a post on Jafri Merican Architect Facebook page from Arvin Hadlos of the Philippines recently, and in replying, took the opportunity to express my views regarding the prerequisite skills that in my opinion should be possessed by a reasonably skilled architect and the problems I’ve faced in my 15 years of practice. I’ve described the problems in detail for the benefit of young Arvin so that he would be able, as a student, begin to develop himself into a well rounded architect once he graduates. I also hope that by reading this letter, other students of architecture may benefit by understanding beforehand what is expected of them by practising architects once they graduate, and how good design skills can give them an edge over others in getting a coveted position in a firm.

Arvin Hadlos: i am a futuristic child and i want a guaranteed job when i graduate. I am currently a freshman student at Saint Louis University , Philippines. I wish i could work with your company maybe 9 years from now. i hope so. so let me know what are your procedures in admitting an architect in your firm so as for me to prepare. TY. =))

Jafri Merican: Dear Arvin, thanks for expressing your interest in joining our practice and indeed I personally am impressed by your enthusiasm. Working in Malaysia is not a problem; I’ve met many expatriates who are permanent residents attached to consultancy firms here and it’s a matter of getting your requirements with the immigration department in good order and finding a good place to stay. I’m very sure you’ll be able to find out more about this on the net.

What I would like to advise you at this juncture is regarding what you should aim to achieve as a student. As a freshman student, you have the opportunity to start right and develop yourself to become a well rounded architect of good design and management skills, a young professional of good character, and a very creative person with well developed talent and passion for his trade.

Although what I had just said appears obvious with the benefit of a good university education, please do not take these aforesaid qualities for granted as they are not quite straightforward. Throughout my 15 years of practice, I’ve met many architects from good universities who struggle with their work especially when doing design. By 'design' I do not mean the ability to create masterpieces like those by Calatrava or Gehry, but the practical ability to organize spaces described in a design brief into a coherent, well laid out architectural plan, that will enable the principal to improve upon. However, for some architects assigned with design tasks, they are simply incapable or ineffective at developing a design from an empty site to a preliminary proposal, the result being a dismal failure, a design that cannot work and has to be revamped completely in order for it to become acceptable for presentation to the client.

What is the reason for this? It could be that somewhere along the way, during their studies perhaps, the person in question may have bypassed or neglected the development of certain important skills, or simply became very content at just getting through with acceptable grades in order to graduate instead of doing what they really should: Learning to become a good architect.

Throughout the years I’ve always given credit to certain architects and technical staff in my office who continue to attempt and improve themselves at design (though they face a great personal struggle due to having not acquired the necessary skills to carry out design work) and some of them have indeed improved with time and effort. However, quite unlike the culture that I've set in my practice, I've observed after graduation, and during my early years in practice that many fellow architects have completely given up on this quest and content themselves by adopting the stand that not all architects should be able to design. Their philosophy is that some architects should only manage projects as ‘project architects’, and admittedly there are many who have become good managers and are successful in their employment by just working hard without the need for design oriented creative output (which incidentally are provided for them by another group called ‘design architects’ who according to them should do design only and don’t have to manage or understand what’s happening on site).

I have never subscribed to this concept of having two types of architects, each not being able to do what the other can. My rationale is this: Such a concept is not acceptable in other professions: Could people accept Chefs who cannot cook, Accountants who cannot count, Doctors who can’t attend to the sick or faint at the sight of blood? The answer for Architects who can’t design should be obvious, but at least some in the profession have accepted it much to their own disadvantage.

In my practice, I expect architects to be able to perform their core expertise and manage projects at the same time, and this should be perceived as a reasonably achievable expectation, by accumulation of skill through experience. In my view, (though disconcerting for some who may read this) architects who can’t design, cannot manage design, and through my experience, project architects without design skill or at least flair, make bad design decisions because they cannot differentiate between good or bad in a building. The impact of such problems is especially apparent in design and build projects where designs are being produced while construction is proceeding on site. I’ve had the personal experience of monitoring a project architect closely as I perceived his lack of flair during the my first design and build project and had intervened in some bad decisions he would have made on his own (Some architects despite repeated reminders to inform the firm’s principal of important decisions, do continue to confirm designs directly with the client/contractor). However, as principal, I could only monitor to a certain extent, and some bad designs do slip by to end up being constructed on site in this case a stair landing projecting into a void. Luckily, I was able to design this accident into an interesting feature.

In some fortunate cases, a project architect is able to manage because within the client/contractor project team there are design consultants, or experienced members of the group who could advise on design matters and the said project architect would follow and interpret, producing drawings of design decisions made for him by others. In this instance, situations such as this work out very well for this architect but unfortunately do very little in improving his creative skills, giving him a false sense of achievement (believing he has acquired knowledge to become a good architect) and when faced with the challenges of another project, in which there are no design consultants to advise him and the client/contractor project team is inexperienced, this person would become completely lost and his lack of skill/flair eventually catches up with him and he realizes his true worth as an architect.

Having said all that, I do not alienate, discriminate or belittle architects who unfortunately are facing this skill related situational dilemma especially when some of them are my friends whom I have known for many years. It is just that I genuinely believe that this is a problem that could be remedied if the person is aware of his weakness, and is committed to improving himself. It takes a good attitude and a great deal of humility for an architect to regain the ability to design under the guidance of a willing mentor, who could be an office mate or a friend. I genuinely believe the key to effective designing in the everyday practical sense (as opposed to creating masterpieces) is more a matter of skill rather than talent (I’ve met talented individuals who are not effective designers because of certain stumbling mental blocks in their thought processes). For a student, once made aware of the problem which he may possibly become afflicted with after graduation and at work, he could take steps to avoid future predicament and improve on his design skills by becoming more active in design classes, discussing with his tutors and professors in order to form reliable thought processes and good thinking habits which will help him generate ideas.

What are the stumbling blocks that prevent students and architects alike from producing reasonably sound architectural designs (let alone outstanding ones)? I’ve pondered over this question for many years and I’d like to share with you some thoughts and opinions on the subject. I do not profess to be an authority on the matter and whatever thoughts I have are based on working experience and knowledge I’ve gained from reading and insights I’ve gained while interacting with university students I met as a visiting lecturer and during a short stint as design tutor in UiTM sometime in 2007.

The most debilitating stumbling block which I observe to affect most architects is what Edward de Bono has described in his book ‘Lateral Thinking’ as “blocked by openness”. In this case the designer is blocked by open ended possibilities of an empty piece of paper staring him in the face. He hesitates to draw fearing his first line could be the wrong one. There are many remedies to this problem, and the best is to just draw a random line to get you going. There is a saying that goes “…the best way to come up with a good adequate design is to first come up with an inadequate one…” thus the best way to overcome a mental block would be to initiate a preliminary design, criticize it and come up with a better one in its place.

Another weakness which I observe with most designers comes after overcoming the block. The architect tasked with designing lacks knowledge of design philisophy, trend, concepts and precedent (difficult to discuss with regarding certain buildings that you’ve perceived to be good design examples because he is not aware of it), is not proficient with the visual effectiveness achieved in the interrelationship between plan, elevation and 3 dimensional form, and does not understand why certain designs become beautiful and some turn out ugly. This problem arises from a lack of interest in reading and failure to keep oneself informed of the latest developments in architectural designs. One would think that this is a problem for second year students and that by the time they graduate this is no longer the case, but regrettably this is a common weakness among working architects especially those who have spent many years managing projects and decided that design is no longer their area of expertise and expect others to accept them as they are. This for me is a step in reverse, and no one especially the person in question can ever benefit from this retrogressive attitude. During my tenure with Dr. Ken Yeang’s office in 1989, before leaving to further my studies, he gave me one of the best design advice I’ve ever received: “When you read architectural books or magazine, don’t just look at building form. Look at the plans and observe how they work, and the elevations to see how interesting forms are created from plans which are invariably simple”.

The most prevalent obstacle is the inability of a designer to overcome the natural rigidity of the mind. In architectural schools students are taught to manipulate spaces, solid and void, to move one room to one side to make way for another and numerous other design exercises to induce flexibility of the mind so that various optional layouts and forms could be produced for consideration. Architects afflicted with this form of mental block face difficulties to produce even one and more often than not, they are blocked by their own designs (for example one architect was mentally blocked by a staircase he drew as though it has already been built. When I told him to move the staircase elsewhere the design was solved. The advice I gave him was, in design treat everything as movable unless they’ve already been built as in renovation projects).

The problems facing designers are far more diverse than the generalized examples I’ve described here. In my observations talent related weaknesses are more easily overcome with the correct attitude and effort on the part of the individual student or architect compared to problems with attitude and behavior. Therefore it is important for the person I work with to be of good character and hardworking. I find myself at ease working with this group of secure individuals who take criticism well, willing to learn and above all continue to strive to improve themselves to become better persons than who they were yesterday. Progress takes time, sometimes years on end, but no progress can be made without the willingness and cooperation of the individual. Therefore Arvin, start your journey with the correct attitude, don’t be intimidated by seeing others seem more talented or better, stick to your pace, but strive to continually improve.

To quote Alfred Lord Tennyson in his poem ‘Ulysses’ always remember in your journey to become an architect, be,“…strong in will. To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”

4G9 Tower: Facade Lighting

Photos taken by LSI Systems (M) Sdn Bhd (Facade lighting contractor). The LED lighting equipment installed and configured based on facade lighting design by Lightwave Sdn Bhd for 4G9 Tower create colourful and exciting effects on the fibonacci facade.

4G9 Tower: Progress as at 17/8/2011. Temporary Certificate of Fitness for Occupation (TCF)

Office tower for The Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture is nearing full completion with rectification works in progress. The handing over process is currently underway towards full occupancy by the aforesaid ministry. Application for the final Certificate of Fitness for Occupation (full CFO) is being made upon having complied with inspection comments.

4G9 Tower: Facade Lighting

Photographs taken by the lighting designer Lightwave Sdn. Bhd. shows the cascading effect of LCD equipment on the Fibonacci facade.

4G9 Tower: Progress as at 30th June 2011

Photographs taken by the project Resident Architect shows progress as at 30th June 2011, achieved completion of the facade works with interior works still on going. As of to date, application for Certificate of Fitness for Occupation has been submitted to Perbadanan Putrajaya for approval, before the building is handed over to the Ministry of Information, Malaysia.

Architecture and Sustainability

To address growing concerns about the accelerating deterioration of the human environment and natural resources, and the consequences of that deterioration on economic and social development; a World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED), also known as the Brundtland Commission was convened by The United Nations in 1983. In its 1987 report titled ‘Our Common Future’ WCED defined “Sustainable Development (SD)” as those that “meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs”.

Over the years, SD has been established as the principal development catchphrase. A wide range of nongovernmental as well as governmental organizations have embraced it as the new paradigm of development. Architecturally, sustainable buildings, also known as ‘green buildings’ are structures designed to meet specific objectives to ensure that usage by present occupants will not diminish the prospects of future persons to enjoy levels of consumption, wealth, utility, or welfare comparable to those enjoyed by present persons. To achieve these objectives, buildings need to be designed, built, renovated, operated, or reused in an ecological and resource-efficient manner.

Architects designing green buildings initially clarify with their clients from the onset of the project that sustainable structures may cost more up front, but will benefit the building owners in terms of long term savings as their buildings run on lower operating costs over its life cycle. Feasibility calculations for the green building approach compare the project’s up-front expenditure against increased rental net income due to savings gained through significantly lower monthly running cost, in a benefit against cost analysis.

However, less financially tangible benefits that actually relate to sustainable development, such as improving occupant health, comfort, productivity, reducing pollution and landfill waste are not easily quantified and are consequently not adequately reflected in a developer’s benefit against cost consideration. For this reason, tangible benefits in the form of government incentives for green buildings are vital to attract developers to embark on sustainable projects.

In Malaysia, The Green Building Index (GBI) rates buildings based on energy efficiency, indoor environment quality, sustainable site planning and management, materials and resources, water efficiency, and innovation. The Malaysian Government awards incentives based on GBI ratings whereby new and upgraded buildings awarded GBI certificate are given tax exemption benefit, and first owner purchasers of buildings and houses with GBI certificates from developers are eligible for stamp duty exemption. In addition, a Green Technology Fund of RM 1.5 billion gives soft loans to companies, suppliers and consumer companies for loan applications made through the National Green Technology Centre.

The Malaysian Government actively promotes green technology by developing Putrajaya and Cyberjaya as pioneer townships in Green Technology, and gives priority to 'green' products and services, and the successful establishment of exhibitions and expositions. Towards this end, Malaysia Energy Centre has been restructured as National Green Technology Centre to enable it to perform its functions more efficiently. Such efforts by the government in the area of sustainable development will hopefully create conditions which in the long term will encourage people to save the environment.

Realistically, green building features cannot achieve their goals unless they work as intended. Architects, engineers and other consultants supervise the testing and commissioning of mechanical and electrical equipment to ensure that the installation and performance meet the required design criteria. This exercise also includes training related personnel on the operation and maintenance of equipment.

The trend towards sustainable development will prove beneficial to our future. Recent studies reveal that buildings with good overall environmental quality can reduce the rate of occurrence for respiratory disease, allergy, asthma, sick building symptoms, and in due course, enhance occupants’ performance. Ultimately, improvements in the quality of life would be the greatest gift our present generation could leave as a legacy.

4G9 Tower: Progress as at 21/3/2011

View of 4G7, 4G8, 4G9, 4G10 and 4G11 from Maritime Centre, Precinct 5, Putrajaya.

4G9 Tower from Maritime Centre. Painting work yet to be carried out on newly installed precast walls where tower crane supports used to be.

View of the towers from Precinct 5.

View from across Dataran Gemilang.

Close up of the roof enclosure.

View from Precinct 19, Putrajaya.

Photographs showing construction progress as at 21/3/2011. Derrick cranes at roof level have been dismantled to enable work on remaining sections of the roof skylight structure to proceed towards completion. Painting works on exterior walls are in progress with final coat yet to be applied. Interior finishes are being installed at ground floor main reception lobby and at lower ground floor multi purpose hall. External works are in progress.

Travels: Mercure Hotel, Kuta Beach, Bali

The Mercure Hotel where I stayed during a recent trip to Bali (11th to 13th March 2011) is located just next door to Hard Rock Hotel in Kuta Beach, within walking distance to numerous shopping and dining places nearby. The swimming pool and dining facilities are located on the 4th floor roof terrace, leaving the ground floor space free for porte cochere, entrance lounge and registration office. The hotel is planned based on a courtyard configuration, a design strategy that works very well in providing light and ventilation to spaces within a constrained site, while creating a truly pleasant ambience important for marketing purposes.

My only criticism is that the rooms and balconies are rather small with barely enough space to move around the bed. Bathrooms and cabinets are quite meagre in size but are well planned to optimize nooks and corners. Nevertheless, the hotel should cater well to travellers on very short trips with most time spent outside, though during evenings, back at the hotel, one will appreciate the coziness of a well planned small room expected of a medium budget accommodation. The room size, I would expect, is based on requirements of room numbers for the business plan to be feasible given the constraints of site and height controls for structures not being allowed to exceed 4 storeys high.

Architecturally, in my opinion, the hotel captures the vital essence and character of Bali, which among others include; the strong ties and connection with nature, a blurred division between indoors and outdoors, the use of vivid colours and earth tones, decorations featuring the artifacts of Bali, and the extensive use of timber structures within a reinforced concrete structural framework, all of which give visitors a very welcome preview of the great things to expect in this paradise island on the hour of their arrival here.

CV: Introduction

Jafri Merican Architect is a Malaysian based architectural practice registered with The Board of Architects, Malaysia (Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia). Since 1996, we have designed and implemented the construction of various medium to large scale projects.

Throughout these pages you will find information regarding the services we offer and some of the projects we have been involved with. Our mission is to provide clients with quality service and progressive architectural solutions to meet their demands in the fast changing world of this new millennium. We are committed to meet the goals of our clients and are always prepared to exceed their expectations.

We strive to provide high quality professional advice and service throughout all stages of the design and construction process. As well as traditional contracting arrangements, we have extensive experience in other methods of procurement, including participation in design and build projects for developers and contractors, the type of contract which have become quite popular in Malaysia in recent years.

CV: About Us

The firm was founded by Jafri Merican in 1996 and has grown steadily to become an established medium scale office with a reputation for sensitive and cost effective designs. In recent years, our firm's reputation has been built on its projects for government offices in Putrajaya; but throughout its formative years till now, our office has had a growing portfolio of residential, institutional and commercial projects, ranging from individual homes, residential housing development projects, sales and site offices, commercial office lots, primary and secondary schools and various other medium to large scale buildings.

Our work is characterized by careful development of the brief to meet the client's needs and budget; meticulously crafted design solutions, which are innovative and responsive to their context; attention to details, especially when preparing construction drawings and architectural scale drawings; and our management style that aims to garner the cooperation of various parties involved to achieve effective delivery of projects to time and budget.

We continually derive inspiration from our ongoing studies in contemporary and traditional culture, our history, the complex changing relationships within our society and the development of contemporary ideas and philosophies. Our work process is transformative in the way it reinterprets traditional and cultural symbols into functional forms designed to fulfill basic building programs; and negotiates traditional aesthetics with contemporary and modern expressions derived from the ever changing, continuously progressive methods and materials by which buildings are built. These often conflicting metaphors, separated by time and culture, when synthesized into a common symbolic denominator, may form contemporary, even timeless, architectural solutions, the desired result which our firm strives to achieve in all of our projects from the initial concept to their final realization.

CV: Services

Jafri Merican Architect is an architectural consultancy firm registered with The Board of Architects, Malaysia (Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia, LAM), The Malaysian Institute of Architects (Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia, PAM) and The Ministry of Finance, Malaysia.


ARCHITECTURAL BASIC SERVICES

Basic services is a terminology used in the Architect’s Act 1967 to denote the full range of architectural service required of the Architect to enable the client to build their projects and obtain the Certificate of Fitness for Occupation from the relevant approving authorities. These services are provided for clients who intend to proceed to secure authority approvals and obtain competitive tenders from prospective contractors.

Schematic Design Phase

· Upon acceptance of the client's instructions, to begin work by analyzing the project brief.

· Prepare preliminary conceptual sketch proposals to interpret the project brief;

· Develop the preliminary conceptual sketch proposals into sketch designs to a stage sufficient as to enable an application to be made for planning approval or approval in principle to comply with the relevant by-laws;

· Prepare preliminary estimates of the probable construction cost based on current area, volume or other unit costs; and

· Where applicable, to prepare and submit the drawings and other necessary documents to relevant approving authorities for either town planning approval or approval in principle.

Design Development Phase

· Upon the approval of the proposals by either the relevant authority or the client, develop the schematic design drawings to a stage to enable other consultants to commence their detailed design work;

· Prepare working drawings and to submit the same together with all necessary particulars to the relevant approving authorities to obtain statutory building approval;

· Update the preliminary estimates of construction costs and to submit the same to the client for his approval; and

· Update the project planning and implementation schedule and to submit the same to the client for his approval.

Contract Documentation Phase

· Upon the approval by the client of the updated estimates of construction cost and the planning and implementation schedule, to prepare and finalize the detailed drawings and other particulars necessary to the stage of completion adequate for bills of quantities to be prepared by an independent quantity surveyor;

· To prepare all documents, in collaboration with other independent consultants appointed by the client, necessary for obtaining competitive tenders for the work;


· Invite, on behalf of the client, tenders for the work or collaborate with the independent quantity surveyor engaged by the client to do so;

· Evaluate the results of the tenders and submit a report and recommendation to the client;

· Award the contract on behalf of the client; and

· Prepare the contract documents, in collaboration with other independent consultants appointed by the client, for signature by the client and the contractor.

Contract Implementation and Management Phase

· To perform all the functions and duties of the architect under the terms and conditions of the building contract;

· Provide information and issue instructions to the contractor as required under the terms and conditions of the building contract to enable the contractor to proceed with the works;

· To examine the works programme submitted by the contractor to be satisfied that the works can reasonably be completed within the contract period;

· To inspect the works at periodic intervals so as to ensure that the works are being executed in general accordance with the building contract and to certify the completion of the various stages of the works required in support of an application for a certificate of fitness for occupation from the relevant approving authority;

· Where necessary, apply for a certificate of fitness for occupation or its equivalent from the appropriate authority;

· Accept on behalf of the client, the works at various stages of completion; and

· Provide a set of drawings showing the building as constructed and obtain for the client the drawings of the building’s services as installed together with all warranties and maintenance manuals as provided for in the contracts.


ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES FOR DESIGN AND BUILD CONTRACTS

These services are provided for design and build contractors who have secured contracts from developers and are seeking to employ an architectural firm with experience in translating design drawings contained within the contract documents into construction detailed drawings for on site implementation.

· Upon acceptance of the client's instructions, to begin work by analyzing the design and build contract documents and drawings.

· Develop the contract drawings into concept and design development drawings to a stage sufficient as to enable the client to submit the same to the developer and obtain approval and consent to proceed with construction drawings.

· Develop the approved concept and design development drawings into construction drawings in collaboration with other independent consultants appointed by the client.

· Advise the client on the resident site staff required for the project and estimating the cost of their employment and the duration of their employment.

· To inspect the works at periodic intervals so as to ensure that the works are being executed in general accordance with the Design and Build contract and to enable the developer’s architect to certify the completion of the various stages of the works required in support of an application for a certificate of fitness for occupation from the relevant approving authority;


CONSERVATION AND SUPPLEMENTARY SERVICES

Our firm also provides services for clients intending to conserve buildings for historical reasons and clients looking to purchase and renovate buildings to fit their commercial or personal requirements.

Conservation work

· To survey and measure existing buildings, prepare specifications and other documents for repairs, restoration or conservation work, provide architectural basic services for this purpose, administer the contract and to inspect the works during their execution.

Building surveys

· Prepare measured drawings, carry out visual surveys, take levels and prepare plans of sites and existing buildings.

· To carry out visual inspection, and prepare report and give advice regarding the condition of existing buildings;

Building investigations

· Prepare schedules of dilapidations for either the landlord or tenant, take particulars of sites, prepare specifications for repairs and supervise their execution;

· In collaboration with a structural engineer, undertake structural surveys of a building and ascertain the extent of defects which may affect its value;

· To investigate building failures and arranging and inspecting repair work by contractors or specialists;



ADVISORY SERVICES

These services are provided for clients who would like to ascertain the feasibility of their commercial sites and are interested in evaluating viable options and strategies to maximize returns for their projects.

Formulation of design brief and site analysis

· Ascertain the client's objectives, brief and constraints for the project and advise the client on the appropriate strategy and course of action to achieve their objectives;

· To inspect and advise the client on the selection and suitability of proposed sites, conduct or take part in negotiations connected therewith, take levels and prepare measured drawings, plans of the sites, sites and buildings or existing buildings;

· Prepare and refine the brief in consultation with the client and interpret the client's objectives to arrive at an agreed brief for the project;


Feasibility studies and preliminary design work

· Carry out such studies as may be necessary for the project and review with the client alternative design and construction solutions, evaluate their respective advantages and disadvantages and give advice on all relevant aspects of obtaining statutory approvals necessary for the implementation of the project;

· Prepare the outline project plan which may include a preliminary cost estimate, a preliminary project planning and implementation schedule, a preliminary cash flow projection including probable construction costs and fees and resource plan.


Advisory service for project management work

· Advise the client on the need for geotechnical, civil, structural, mechanical or electrical engineering, quantity surveying or other specialist consultants' services, invite, obtain and evaluate submissions and make recommendations to the client for their appointments if necessary; and

· Advise the client on the resident site staff required for the project and estimate the cost of their employment and duration of their employment.

CV: Featured Projects

Featured on these pages are projects which, in our opinion, truly represent the firms' values and capabilities. For details, please look up the preceeding posts within this blog.

Putrajaya Lot 4G2

Putrajaya Lot 4G9

Putrajaya School Complex, Precinct 11

Putrajaya Parcel F (Competition scheme)

Putrajaya Parcel F (Final Scheme)

Putrajaya Waterfront Office Competition Proposal

Kelab Sultan Suleiman, Kuala Lumpur

Putrajaya Lot 5G2 (SeniBahri Arkitek)

MITI HQ Competition Proposal,
Kuala Lumpur

UiTM Resort, Block 10 Refurbishment,
Shah Alam

Visitors’ Centre at Mutiara Damansara

Projects for Boustead Holdings Berhad

Commercial Building on Lot 2C2, Putrajaya

Commercial Development Proposal for Felcra Berhad

Commercial Development Proposal on Lot 3C10 and 3C11 Putrajaya

CV: Project List

LIST OF CURRENT AND COMPLETED PROJECTS

· Construction and Completion of a Government Office Building on Lot 4G9 in Precinct 4, Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya, for Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd.

· Design and Build Contract for Government Office Buildings on Lot 5G2 (Architect: SeniBahri Arkitek) in Precinct 5 Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya, for Bina Goodyear Berhad.

· Design and Build Contract for Commercial Office Building on Lot 2C2 ( Design Architect: Cox Architects) in Precinct 2 Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya, for Putra Perdana Construction Sdn. Bhd.

· Construction and Completion of Government Office Buildings on lot F8, F9 and F10 in Parcel F, Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya, for Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd.

· Construction and Completion of a 4-Storey Primary School and supporting facilities in Taman Merdeka, Batu Berendam, Melaka Darul Azim, for The Ministry of Education, Malaysia.

· Construction and Completion of Single Storey ‘zero lot’ Bungalow units in Kota Kemuning, Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, for Peraga Properties Sdn Bhd.

· Construction and Completion of a Government Office Building on Lot 4G2 in Precinct 4, Putrajaya, Wilayah Persekutuan, for Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd.

· Construction and Completion of the Reconstruction of Kelab Sultan Suleiman, Kampung Baru, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, for The Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, Malaysia.

· Construction and Completion of TNB Headquarters on Lot 2649, 2650, 2695, Simpang Tiga, Sena, Kangar, Perlis, for Tenaga Nasional Berhad.

· Construction and Completion of 10 units 2-Storey Shop Office, on lot 70, Mutiara Damansara, Mukim Sungai Buloh, Selangor Darul Ehsan, for Mutiara Rini Sdn. Bhd.

· Construction and Completion of a School Complex (Phase 2) consisting of, 1 unit of 4 Storey Secondary School Building, 1 unit of 4 Storey Primary School Building and supporting facilities at Precinct 11, Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya for Perbadanan Putrajaya.

· Construction and Completion of a School Complex consisting of, 1 unit of 4 Storey Secondary School Building, 1 unit of 4 Storey Primary School Building and supporting facilities on Lot 325, Mukim Kulim, Daerah Kulim, Kedah Darul Aman for The Ministry of Education, Malaysia & Selgia Development Sdn Bhd.

· Construction and Completion of a Site Office (Villa Gemilang) in Precinct 4, Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya, for Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd.

· Construction and Completion of Renovation and Refurbishment works for Block 10, UiTM Resort, Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, for Universiti Teknologi MARA.

· Construction and Completion of 16 units 2-Storey Shop Office, 48 units Shop House and 24 units low cost shop (Phase 4B) on Lot 70, Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, for Mutiara Rini Sdn Bhd.

· Construction and Completion of 1 unit MBPJ Food Court on Lot 70, Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, for Mutiara Rini Sdn Bhd.

· Construction and Completion of Masjid Ehsaniah Kg. Kelan, Mukim Slim River, Perak Darul Ridzuan, for Pejabat Daerah Batang Padang.

· Construction and Completion of Renovation Works of Saujana, Johor Darul Takzim (The Official Residence of The Menteri Besar of Johor) for The Johor State Government.

· Construction and Completion of a Visitors’ Centre and Site Office on Lot 70, Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, for Mutiara Rini Sdn Bhd.

· Construction and Completion of 90 units Double Storey Terrace Houses at Teras Jernang, Sepang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, for Sepang Entity Sdn Bhd.

· Construction and Completion of 280 units Medium Cost Apartments at Teras Jernang, Sepang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, for Sepang Entity Sdn Bhd.

· Construction and Completion of a Housing Development on Lot 8744-8748, 8751 & 8754, Desa Saujana Mukim Sepang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, for Ikhtiar Tani Sdn Bhd.

· Construction and Completion of a Housing Development at Desa Pinggiran Putra Mukim Sepang, SelangorDarul Ehsan, for Oriental Interest Berhad and Hijrah Murni Sdn Bhd.

· Construction and Completion of 100 units Semi – Detached Houses on Lot 431, Bagan Lalang, Mukim Sepang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, for Semua Jadi Sdn Bhd.

CV: Project List

LIST OF NOTABLE PAST PROJECTS

· Detailed Design, Preparation of Tender Drawings and Submission to Authorities for the Development of a Primary School Building (Phase 4) at Precinct 14 -Site B, Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya, for Perbadanan Putrajaya.

· Concept Development Proposal for a 40 acre “Perpat Extreme Park Lagoon” consisting of Phase 1, 2 and 3 on lot 432, Mukim Kapar, Daerah Klang Selangor Darul Ehsan, for Perpat Resort (M) Sdn Bhd.

· Conceptual Planning Proposal for 27 units Office Building, 201 units Shop Office and 1 unit Shopping Complex at Mutiara Damansara, Mukim Sg. Buloh, Daerah Petaling, Selangor Darul Ehsan for Boustead Holdings Berhad.

· Concept Design Proposal for a 16 Storey Waterfront Commercial Office Tower and a 4 Storey Commercial Retail Block in Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya, for Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd.

· Concept Design Proposal for a 23 Storey Office Tower in Jalan Duta, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, for a Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd.

· Concept Design and Submission of 222 units Condominium on Lots PT 526 and PT527 Mukim Petaling,Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, for Farlim Group (M) Berhad

· Concept Design and Submission of 275 unit Medium Cost Apartment at PT4160, Kg. Sungai Buah, Mukim Kajang, Selangor Darul Ehsan,for Perangsang Construction & Development Sdn Bhd.

· Urban Planning Proposal for a 1000 acre Township at Baralink, Johannesburg, South Africa, for Safuan Group Berhad.

· Concept Design and Submission of refurbishment proposal for a 5 Star Hotel at Johannesburg, South Africa, for Safuan Group Berhad

· Concept Design Proposal for a New Multi Purpose Hall at Precinct 16, Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya, for Perbadanan Putrajaya.

· Concept Design Proposal for food catering facilities at Universiti Pertanian Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, for Dewina Food Services Sdn Bhd.

· Concept Development Proposal for a Mixed Development Commercial Project in Pulau Gadong, Mukim Bertam Melaka Tengah, Melaka Darul Azim for Safuan Group Berhad.

· Concept Design Proposal for a Sports Complex & Related Facilities at Mutiara Damansara, Lot 70, Kem Kual, Mukim Sungai Buloh, Daerah Petaling, Selangor Darul Ehsan, for Boustead Holdings Berhad.

· Concept Design Proposal for a Visitor’s Centre, and Renovation and Refurbishment Works of existing premises at Kilang Wang Bank Negara Malaysia, Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, for Boustead Holdings Berhad.

· Concept Design Proposal for a 4 Storey Primary School in Sungai Petani Kedah Darul Aman for The Ministry of Education, Malaysia & Selgia Development Sdn Bhd.

· Detailed Design, Submission to Authorities and Preparation of Tender Drawings for a Private Hospital and Hotel in Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Takzim, for Pace Properties Sdn Bhd.

· Concept Development Proposal for 500 acres Marina and Mixed Development Coastal Township with 18 hole Golf Course at Carey Island, Selangor Darul Ehsan for Golden Hope Plantations Berhad and Prima Muda Sdn Bhd.

· Concept Proposal for a Mixed Urban Development on lot 4493, 434,435,120,121,122, Mukim Dengkil, Daerah Sepang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, for Farlim Group (M) Berhad.

· Detailed Design, Preparation of Tender Drawings and Submission to Authorities for the Development of Holiday Resort on Lot 149 and part of Lot 148, Mukim Pulau Sibu, Daerah Mersing, Johor Darul Takzim, for Aseania Development Sdn Bhd.

· Concept Proposal for a Mixed Development Project on lot 11647, 20786, DBKL Land At Jinjang, Wilayah Persekutuan , Kuala Lumpur, for Farlim Group (M) Berhad.

· Concept Proposal for a Mixed Development Project consisting of 2 Blocks of 20 Storey Office, 1 Block Apartment and 1 Unit 5 Storey shopping Mall at Precint 2.9 & 2.10, Pusat Bandar Section 14, Bandar Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, for Lebar Daun Corp. Sdn. Bhd with Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Sdn. Bhd and Permodalan Negeri Selangor Berhad.

CV: Key Personnel

JAFRI MERICAN

Born in 1966, Jafri Merican graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Architecture from ITM (now UiTM), and is registered with the Board of Architects, Malaysia since 1995. He is a corporate member of PAM (The Malaysian Institute Architects) and has an MBA from the University of Hull.

He has worked for notable firms such as TR Hamzah and Yeang Sdn Bhd, Pakatan Akitek Sdn and AK2 Runding Sdn on projects ranging from individual houses, residential housing, commercial development to high-rise office buildings before establishing his own practice in 1996. During his employment in the early ‘90s, Jafri was exposed to new developments in computer aided design and gained considerable skill in this field.

Jafri Merican is an avid student of modern and contemporary architectural design and follows closely the latest developments in world architecture. He is personally involved in the schematic design, detailed design and on-site management of every project at the office, giving consistency and personal attention to each drawing and document produced by the firm.

He believes in working closely with his architects and employees in order to personally develop their design and management skills, the result of which is the reliability of service provided by the firm in managing projects from initial design to completion.


MOHD RIZAL ZAKARIA

Born in 1971, Mohd Rizal Zakaria graduated from the ITM University (UiTM) with a Bachelor in Architecture (Hons) in 2000. He has worked for several established firms including a stint as an apprentice at Pakatan Akitek Sdn where he met Jafri Merican in 1991. The two of them became good friends and kept in touch till eventually Rizal joined Jafri’s practice in 1997, then continued his studies in UITM, and rejoined the firm in 2000.

Mohd Rizal is a talented designer and had contributed many important ideas, the impact of which is especially vital in developing, among others, the design of the Putrajaya 4G9 tower. He has designed many of the firm’s projects often communicating his ideas using various 3 dimensional visualization software at which he is very well versed. He is also highly experienced in the preparation of tender and contract drawings and had managed numerous projects from inception to completion.


SAIFUL BAHRI SULAIMAN

Born in 1965, Saiful Bahri Sulaiman graduated from ITM with an Advanced Diploma in Architecture, and the University of Technology, Malaysia. Upon graduating, he worked for SAA Architects, before setting up his own design firm Konsep Lakaran in 1995. Saiful Bahri joined Jafri Merican, his classmate in ITM, as an Associate of the firm in 2004 serving in the capacity of a Senior Project Architect.

As an entrepreneur himself, Saiful Bahri’s contribution to the firm extends beyond project management. Together with Jafri Merican, Saiful develops business strategies and market positioning for the firm, secures projects and brings revenue to the practice. In addition, Saiful himself is a gifted designer with an eye for details and a feel for building materials. Notable projects which he has managed and designed for the firm, are the reconstruction of Sultan Sulaiman Club and the renovation of ITM Resort Shah Alam.


AHMAD HASNAN WAHIDI

Born in 1960, Ahmad Hasnan Wahidi graduated from the Polytechnic of North London and the University of Technology, Malaysia. Upon graduating, he worked as an architect for the Public Works Department of Malaysia (JKR), GDP Architects, and AK2 Runding Sdn where he met Jafri Merican in 1994. Ahmad Hasnan left AK2 to pursue his own ventures and eventually joined Jafri Merican Architect in 2008, as a Senior Project Architect.

Ahmad Hasnan had been involved, prior to joining the firm, in projects ranging from hospital, medical care facilities, residential housing and office buildings, most of them from inception to completion. His experience, design flair, management skills, and talent for translating drawings to built forms have proven beneficial in implementing, among others, the design and build contract for Parcel 5G2, Putrajaya.

LIST OF STAFF 1996-PRESENT

Abdul Razak Salaman, Abdullah Shahdan, Ahmad Hasnan Wahidi Ibrahim, Akram Omar, Aslini Abas, Asma' Zulkifli, Azi Izwani Nor Hamzah, Azlisham Kassim, Azliza Hj Mat Abu, Azrin Abu Seman, Badariah Badaruddin, Dahlia Alang Sulaiman, Elmi Samanhudi, Fadillah Zain Hasirun, Faizah Zakaria, Farhana Nadia Ibrahim, Fazizul Amar Zainuddin, Hartini Ibrahim, Hasanul Adili Md Zulkapeli, Hazry Hassan, Hilmi Abd Ghani, Ismar MS Usman, Ili Shaqirah, Jafri Merican, Jasman Hashim, Jefni Elisputra Abdul Rahman, Kangaiyamma Arumugam, Ku Shahrom, Mas Johan Sugimin, Mazlan Daud, Mohamad Amin Maksum, Mohamad Yusuf Alias, Mohammad Shahar Mazali, Mohd Aidil Mohd Isa, Mohd Akmali, Mohd Azhar Stat (Allahyarham), Mohd Fadzly Siamir, Mohd Fairuz Salam, Mohd Faizal Wahab, Mohd Fauzey Salleh, Mohd Ghazali Kadir, Mohd Hadzri Mohamad Hilmi, Mohd Idris bin Tamhid, Mohd Jamal Ramli, Mohd Rizal Zakaria, Mohd Roslee Ahmad, Mohd Salmi Ghazali, Mohd Shamsuri Yaakob, Mohd Sofi Saad, Mohd Yasir Habir, Mohd Yusari Abd Rahman, Mohd Zambri Hassim, Mohd. Zabidi Husin, Mohd Shairy Deraman, Muhammad Bukhari Othman, Muhammad Hairit Bakar, Muhammad Mustaqim Mohd Hashim, Muhammad Muzammil Ashanushi, Muhammad Radzi Abd Hamid, Muhd Faizal Abd Wahab, Muhd Hafiz Muhd Jubri, Murnirah Izzah Misran, Murnirah Muhammad, Nabilah Abd Latif, Noor Diana Shamsuddin, Noor Rizahana Yusof, Noorusnida Bahauddin, Nor Eliyana Abd Aziz, Nor Hilmi Muhammad, Norazmi Razali, Nordin Omar, Norhashimah Hassan, Nur Ayunni Adnan, Nur Salihah Shahiran, Nurul Aqmar Hassan, Nuur Asiah Abdul Kadir, Qamarina Abd Aziz, Rahayu Osman, Ridhwan Saidi, Rizal Sofian, Rosli Mohamad, Sadisah Tayub, Saiful Bahri Sulaiman, Sarini Ahmad Dzarawi, Sehbirin Muhsin, Shaiful Nizam Abdullah, Shamsul Ariffin Mohd Sharip, Shamsul Azri Anuar, Sharlia Akma Mohd Ali Khan, Siti Awanis Selamat, Siti Faridah Md Lias, Sohaimi Abd Ghani, Sriayuna Hilmi, Syafiq Aizat Roslan, Syed Putera Syed Abd Samad, Wan Anuar Wan Hamat, Wan Khairulsuzanna Wan Hamat, Wan Nazri Wan Ariffin, Yahya Azimuddin, Zabedah Lias, Zalazilah Zulkifli, Zaliah Sardan, Zamri Hassim.

CV: Contact Us

JAFRI MERICAN ARCHITECT
1-3, Jalan Dagang SB 4/1
Taman Sungai Besi Indah,
43300 Seri Kembangan,
Selangor Darul Ehsan,
Malaysia.
Tel : +603-89419481
Fax : +603-89419482
Email : jma@jafrimericanarchitect.my
Website : http://www.jafrimericanarchitect.my

Location:

Our office is located in Seri Kembangan in the immediate vicinity of The Mines shopping centre and The Heritage apartments at a major junction of Lebuhraya Sungai Besi and Lebuhraya SILK.

If you are coming from Sungai Besi through the Mines, bypass the flyover on the left (going to Balakong/ Lebuhraya SILK) and keep to the right lane to head towards UPM. By now, you will spot a pedestrian bridge which is part of the Serdang commuter station. Immediately before the bridge turn left into a 3-storey commercial development to arrive at our office. We are on the third floor of a corner lot facing the main access road.

Alternatively, if you are coming from The North-South Highway, take the UPM exit and turn right after the toll gate. Upon reaching the Serdang commuter station, bypass the flyover on the extreme right to Balakong/ Lebuhraya SILK and take a second flyover towards Seri Kembangan old town. At the top of this flyover, make a u-turn to the right and on the way down, take the right lane to head towards UPM and avoid heading into Balakong/ Lebuhraya SILK. By now you would have arrived at the access road below the pedestrian bridge to enter the development.

CV: Putrajaya Lot 4G2 (Wisma Tani)

Designed as part of a 4-building cluster at the Central Boulevard of Putrajaya Core Island, Lot 4G2 (abbreviation for Precinct 4, Government Building, Parcel 2) is home to The Ministry of Agriculture, Malaysia, and is now referred to as Wisma Tani. A design competition was organized by Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd in mid 2000 and participated by 16 Malaysian firms of which eventually 4 firms were declared winners; Veritas Architects Sdn Bhd, W&W Architects, Almaz Architect and Jafri Merican Architect. The winning scheme by Veritas proposed a cluster of 4 oval shaped towers, a metaphor of 4 petals of a flower, upon which each participating firm developed their final designs. Lot 4G2 was tendered as a design and build contract and was awarded to Putra Perdana Berhad. The building was completed in 2004.

Projecting the image of a modern and energy efficient contemporary development, the ‘4Gs’ 18 storey towers of glass/aluminum facades and passive solar devices are architecturally distinct from its adjacent predecessors, the ‘2Gs’ (Precinct 2 Government Buildings) and the Palace of Justice, built of solid walls with punctuated windows and heavily colonnaded street fronts.
Aluminum louvers and façade projections are extensively used throughout the building enclosure to achieve an Overall Thermal Transmission Value of lower than 45 W/m2, a requirement of an energy conservation plan adhered to by Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd. The building form addresses urban design requirements of Perbadanan Putrajaya, the approving authority, for well defined streetwalls, punctuation zones at roof areas, landscaped ’Halaman’ spaces and verandahways at Boulevard level.

A notable feature in the building is a façade system utilizing a series of tension rods that support a vertical arrangement of 2m by 2m fixed frameless glass. This feature is visually apparent at the vertical central band of the tower and the corners of the low rise blocks. Although unprecedented in Malaysia at the time, this technology had been widely used in high tech architecture in the UK, in buildings such as Nicholas Grimshaw’s Western Morning News Headquarters & Print Works in Plymouth UK, built as early as 1993.

CV: Putrajaya Lot 4G9

4G9 Tower (abbreviation for Precinct 4, Government Building, Parcel 9) designed for The Ministry of Information, Malaysia, is located on a strip of crescent shaped development site facing the Dataran Gemilang, a circular landscaped open space situated at the southernmost tip of the Core Island, Putrajaya. In the urban context, this 39 storey office building is part of a group of 4 towers earmarked to become the tallest structures to be built within the Core Island development.

In November 2003 a competition was organized by Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd in which 10 Malaysian architectural firms were invited to participate. 3 firms obtained the commission for lots 4G9, 4G10 and 4G11; Jafri Merican Architect, Aqidea Architects and Hijjas Kasturi and Associates Sdn, respectively. The commission for Lot 4G8 was awarded to Juhari & Hashim Chartered Architects based on an earlier competition. Lot 4G9 was tendered as a design and build contract and was awarded to WCT Berhad. Completion date is targeted in late 2010.
The visual metaphor for the tower is based on traditional Malay artifacts and crafts, the curved side elevations recalling the shapes of ancient stone artifacts, and the diagonal shaped central façade pattern symbolizing a traditional form of textile craft, the ’songket’.

In order to translate these metaphors into buildable forms of specific measurable dimensions, a concept based on the Fibonacci Series is conceived as a form-giver to be used for shaping the tower. The series is a mathematical progression of numbers where the following number is the sum of two previous numbers; 1,1,2,3,5,8,13…. From this concept, a series of segmented façade surfaces is formed beginning from the roof, 1 storey, 1 storey, 2 storey, 3 and so forth to 13 storey for the lowest façade surface. These surfaces, formed of diagonal elements are then set in at different planes, and detailed by façade engineering consultants based on the unitized curtain wall concept. The sides of the tower, designed of precast RC fins with punctuated windows, serve as a counterpoint to the visually lighter Fibonacci façade.

The 4G9 tower building enclosure utilizes passive solar shading devices to achieve an Overall Thermal Transmission Value of lower than 45 w/m2.

CV: Putrajaya School Complex, Precinct 11

The primary and secondary schools of Precinct 11 Putrajaya School complex were planned as courtyard buildings designed to suit our hot and humid equatorial climate. Complemented by supporting facilities consisting of canteens, a school field, its grandstand, and a multipurpose hall; all buildings within this complex have been designed to be accessible within a reasonable walking distance from one another.

The client, Perbadanan Putrajaya, required the entire complex to be designed based on the concept of Putrajaya as a garden city. Therefore, the buildings which are clustered around the school field, are linked by a network of covered walk paths surrounded with abundantly landscaped open spaces that give the school complex just the correct ambience of buildings in a park, suitable for a garden city architectural scheme.

Conceptually, the design of the building enclosure is based on tropical architecture. Interior spaces are adequately shaded using aluminum sunshades, set in windows and 1.5 metre roof eaves. Visual variety in the façade is achieved by layering the surface planes and using natural facing bricks juxtaposed against plastered columns, recalling images of school buildings in the colonial past, though interpreted in a more modern and contemporary architectural vocabulary without the use of ornaments and other classical features.

CV: Putrajaya Parcel F (Competition scheme)

In April 2007, Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd invited 10 Malaysian architectural firms to participate in a design competition for Parcel F, Putrajaya. The proposed development comprised 10 government office buildings and its supporting facilities.

Located adjacent to Parcel E (offices for The Ministry of Education, Malaysia among others), the development site is accessible from the Putrajaya Oval Road, situated facing the junction leading to Alamanda Shopping Centre and Precinct 16. The competition brief called for architectural designs that interpret Islamic Architecture in a modern form.

Our proposal featured 2 main concepts; first, a series of repetitive monumental structures reminiscent of entrance gateways or ‘Iwans’, a predominant feature in Islamic architecture in the middle east used as entrance lobbies for public buildings; and second, facades of glazed windows layered with aluminum sun shading architectural screens of various patterns inspired by the concept of ‘Masharabia’ windows of Morocco. These facades contrasted against the white painted walls of corner pylons, structural elements that provide for both aesthetic and practical functions for the scheme. The pylons, positioned at the corners of each ‘Iwan’ and office building, contribute to the predominantly vertical overall outlook while making it possible to have column free interior spaces.

Eventually, 3 architectural firms obtained the commission for Parcel F; Pakatan Reka Architects Sdn Bhd (PRA) appointed as the lead consultant, S&O Architects Sdn Bhd and Jafri Merican Architect.