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.

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.

Travels: The Art and Architecture of Bali

Entry gate with overhead decorated beam. A less typical type of gateway seen on the way to Ubud

The archetype entry gateway to a house, without overhead beam. This type of design is the most characteristic of Balinese gateways commonly found in homes and temples throughout Bali

Typical temple complex near Ubud

Temple structures, Ubud

View from the Mercure hotel, Kuta Beach

Stone work roadside work shop

Temple near Ubud

Crafts shop by the roadside on the way to Ubud

Beach decorations at Jimbaran Bay

These photographs were taken during my recent trip to Bali (11th to 13th March 2011). From the seafood restaurants and beach decorations at Jimbaran Bay, the crafts and sculptures of Ubud, the typical roadside houses, The Mercure Hotel (where I stayed), Hard Rock Cafe and the shopping areas in Kuta, Art and Architecture is a way of life in Bali. These exist everywhere and anywhere even in the smallest of structures and the most ordinary of families.

The religion of the Balinese people is Hinduism. The average Balinese is very religious in nature and this quality is apparent in their everyday activities and their structures, homes or market places. Temples are everywhere within a very short distance of one another. Tourism is the most important source of income and the entire country's socio economic activities are geared towards fulfilling the needs of tourists coming in from all over the world daily.

The photographs are of ordinary or of typical scenes or moments, as to capture the essence of everyday life in Bali. I've posted over 100 photographs on Jafri Merican Architect's Facebook page.

Facade lighting for 5G2 Government Buildings

Facade lighting for 5G2 building as inspected by Perbadanan Putrajaya (Tn Hj Amran and his team) on the night of 8th March 2011. Lighting design by Lightwave Sdn. Bhd. (En Nagieb Azhar) based on architectural design intention by the architect, SeniBahri Arkitek. Jafri Merican Architect represents the design and build contractor, Bina Goodyear Berhad. Facade works by Uniwall Sdn. Bhd.

Masjid Al Mujahiddin Extension, Damansara Utama

Preliminary conceptual drawings for proposed extension of Masjid Al Mujahiddin, Damansara Utama. The design intention is for the extension to blend into the existing architectural features of the present mosque.

The proposal is based on requirements put forward by the mosque working committee. The ground floor comprise a Zakat collection counter and office, retail spaces for rental and a management office. The first floor will have meeting rooms, a classroom, a library and a small dining area. The design considers air flow and cross ventilation into and around the existing mosque area.

4G9 Tower: Progress as at 17/1/2011

Works proceeding with roof structure and external wall spray paint as the project nears completion. Culmination of the Fibonacci concept of the facade is taking shape as patterns formed by the external aluminium rods are progressively installed at the topmost floors.

Travels: Melaka; Peringgit Mosque

While on a trip to Melaka, I came across an old mosque that was restored by the Muzeum and Antiquities Department in 2002. Peringgit is a hill that that got its name from the word 'Peringgi' used by the locals referring to the Portuguese. The first mosque built upon this site was constructed in 1726AD but was later destroyed and the present mosque built in its place in 1868AD.

It is essentially a traditional Malacca mosque, square in shape , its foundation built of laterite blocks and Dutch bricks whereas the floor is of terracotta tiles. The roof structure, doors and windows are of timber construction, its three tiered design characteristic of mosque of the period. The verandah was originally roofed using Chinese tiles while the middle and top tiers of Dutch tiles or better known today as the 'Marseille' tiles, but in the restoration the latter tiles were used throughout. The roof summit is made of specially carved corral reefs.

Architecture: Firmness, Commodity and Delight

Unlike other arts, architecture is not concerned purely with producing creations that embody the personal philosophical or aesthetic pursuit by individuals. Rather, architecture is about building permanent structures that consider the average person’s everyday needs, symbolize the hopes and aspirations of a particular nation or society, achieve a sustainable way of using energy and technology to provide a livable environment without depleting the natural resources of our precious planet, and above all, contribute to the beauty and character of a place.

Architecture, therefore, can be described as the application of art and science to create places where the activity of living life as we know it, could take place.Throughout time, architects, in order to achieve this end, had developed numerous principles and theories so that their present community and the next generation could learn to make architecture better and more responsive to people and the way they live. These theories, in the form of philosophies and thought concepts, may be expressed differently at different times or era while ideas continue to change and develop. However, each and every one of these relate to the earliest known treatise on architecture; that by the Roman architect Vitruvius. In his book ‘De Architectura’ written in the early 1st century CE, Vitruvius stated that a good building should satisfy three important principles: firmitatis, utilitatis, venustatis (durability, utility, beauty). Today, these principles are better known and oft quoted as FIRMNESS, COMMODITY and DELIGHT based on Sir Henry Wotton’s translation of Vitruvius’ book in 1624.

These three principles of architecture remain true today as when they were first written and are present in recent contemporary architecture, regardless of their designers’ personal or collective philosophies. To fulfil the first principle, ‘firmness’, that buildings should stand firm and remain in good condition, architects do not leave the task to their engineers. Architects actively collaborate with other members of a project team to make a building structure as much a part of their architecture, rather than being merely the internal support system unseen from outside. They also consider material selection carefully to enable buildings, once completed, to be feasibly maintained by their owners.

The second principle, ‘commodity’, relates to the economics, practical function and purpose of a building. Although it appears to be quite straightforward, achieving this principle is by far the most difficult part of an architect’s work. To effectively plan the spatial relationships within a building and design functional exterior facades and fenestration, architects work tirelessly to resolve numerous design issues to fit the requirements of clients and local authorities, a time consuming activity which involves countless amendments to the concept and content of an architectural scheme before an acceptable proposal could be agreed upon by the stakeholders of a project.

The third principle, ‘delight’ or creation of beauty, is one that most people would expect to be the primary task of all architects, being the artists they are usually perceived to be. Yet for architects this is only a third of an all encompassing task of designing and managing an architectural project. It is within this third principle that aesthetical theories and philosophies become applicable, and contrary to popular opinion, only within a fraction of this ‘third’, can a building be given the attributes of personal expression. This is why architects often describe themselves as people who work diligently, using their knowledge and their art to serve the community they are designing for.

4G9 Tower: Progress as at 9/11/2010

Regular monthly progress photographs. Fibonacci facade installation completed. Main contractor proceeding with skylight structure installation and spray painting works.One of two tower cranes dismantled. At this rate, the building enclosure could be completed by end of the year but external works and interior works are still in progress. Taking into consideration the process for application of CFO, completion date is targetted mid 2011.

F8 Visitors' Centre: Final design scheme

Final design scheme for Parcel F Multipurpose Hall and Visitors' Centre. Preparations underway for planning submission to authorities and tender documentation. Jafri Merican Architect was appointed for blocks F8, F9 and F10. The other two are office buildings. Facilities include a multipurpose hall that accommodates 1000 pax. Surau, cafe, office and open exhibition areas are located below the hall.

4G9 Tower: Progress as at 5/10/2010

The fibonacci facade has by now progressed 5 floors since 6/9/2010. At this rate, completion of all facade works can be anticipated by end of December 2010. With fibonacci 3 segments being installed, the geometrical progression has become more apparent in the facade. WCT and Avos had done a commendable job in fabricating the facade, and we hope to see fibonacci 2 segment at levels 36 and 37, the highest two office floors, to be completed by next month, leaving the skylight structure of fibonacci 1+1 at the mechanical levels to be installed come December 2010.

Latest Putrajaya 5G2 Building photos

Except for the aerial view taken on Wednesday 14th July, these progress photographs were taken today during my site inspection.Architectural works at 84% completed. Delays at external works and interior design fit out.

Travels: Circle on Cavill Towers. Gold Coast, Australia.

One of the most impressive buildings I observed during my Gold Coast trip. This architectural design of dynamic verticality explores the possibilities of construction technology today utilizing bold cantilevered slab design that allows for floor plinths at each different level to project to varying dimensions, creating slopes, inclinations and angular lines in the building form and facade expression.