The Architecture Programme of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has organised an International Design Colloquium 2022, a joint international event with the School of Architecture and Design, Walailak University, Thailand, on 7 June 2022 via online WEBEX.
The event aims to disseminate architectural ideas and designs by students from the UTM Architecture Programme and the School of Architecture and Design, Walailak University, Thailand. This is also to promote architectural discourse among the faculty members involved in the event.
The two-and-a-half-hour event began with an opening address by the Director of the Architecture Programme (UTM), Assoc. Prof. Dr Alice Sabrina binti Ismail welcomed all the panellists, presenters and participants. The event’s main focus was to review the work of selected students from both universities and receive constructive feedback or comments from the expert panels. Three expert panels were selected from the Programme of Architecture, UTM, namely Dr Tengku Intan Suraya binti Tengku Aziz, Dr Azalillah Ramdani binti Musa and Ar. Shahida binti Azili, while the participating expert panels from the School of Architecture and Design, Walailak University, Thailand, Assoc. Prof. Dr Kitchai Jitkhajornwanich, Mdm. Sasipim Issawarattana and Mdm. Ajarn Praphatson Saemmongkhon.
There were six students involved, including three postgraduates (M.Arch.) from UTM and the remaining three from Walailak University, Thailand. The first presenter, Mr Chow Zen Nam, presented his work titled ‘Redefine Creative Co-Working Spaces: Extensive Integration of Courtyard and Atrium Design in Creative Co-Working Space Through Biomimicry Approach’, which focuses on the integration of courtyards and atriums in co-working spaces, considering aspects of environmental design and sustainability. The second presenter, Mr Amirul Hazieq bin Abdul Aziz, presented his project “KL Symphony: The making of Alam Melayu Cultural Hub”, which focuses on creating a cultural hub and celebrates the essence of local cultural diversity in Kuala Lumpur. The last presenter was Mr Ismail Wajdi bin Mohd Rokhibi, who spoke about his project “Lima Kedai Transit Housing: Social Housing for Transit Residents”, which integrates community spaces to promote social interaction in the community.
Ms Atira Maoti, the first presenter from the School of Architecture and Design, Walailak University, presented her resort project where the design focuses on providing uninterrupted views to the users in her project ‘Resort Project: Rising Sun Beach Resort’. Ms Supapit Hiranthanee also presented her resort project titled ‘Resort Project: The Reflection of Khanom’. Both projects presented are located in Khanom, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. And Ms Noorunyannah Phitakjit presented her proposal for the interior design of the ‘K-Pop Community Centre, Pathum Thani’.
The event was very fruitful as it stimulated critical ideas and discussions between the students and the invited panels. The students benefited from the event and gained interesting insights and perspectives from the panels. Although the event was held online, this joint event paved the way for a productive academic environment between academic staff and students from both institutions. At least 120 online viewers participated in this two-and-a-half-hour event moderated by Dr Nor Izura binti Tukiman.
The UTM Architecture Programme has planned more joint international events to strengthen bilateral relations between the different universities and faculties in the coming months. It also aims to promote collaboration in research, teaching and study of architecture and design beyond Malaysia’s borders.
For more information on the upcoming events of the UTM Architecture Programme, visit Sekolah Senibina Skudai’s Facebook page.