UTAR
Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering
and Science (LKC FES) Bachelor of Science (Honours) Architecture
students bagged several wins at the “2021 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater
Bay Area: Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) International
Colleges Design and Construction Competition – Malaysia Final Round”. The
winners were announced on 10 October 2020 via Zoom.
One team from UTAR
emerged as Champion; one team came in second place while two other teams won
the sustainable award and honorary mention respectively. The champion and
first runner-up teams from UTAR will be representing Malaysia at the
International Level Bamboo Structure Competition at Guangdong-Hong
Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area ASEAN Nations Design and Construction
Competition 2021 on 12 December 2021.
Themed ‘源于传统技艺
Bamboo Art Space inspired by Traditional Arts &
Craft’, the competition aimed to provide a platform for students to
experience designing real construction rather than the usual ‘computer
modelling’, learn from traditional techniques (not limited to bamboo) and
explore the possibilities of new development of traditional skills in
contemporary art. It also aimed to build an international platform for
innovation and creativity with global influence. Through the combination of
the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao greater bay area and the talents of ASEAN
universities, the competition explored a new mode of innovative
collaboration while attracting all universities to exhibit the same
understanding and deep cooperation between China and ASEAN under the “One
Belt and One Road” initiative.
The venues for the
bamboo structure building competition were located at “Nansha Bird Park,
Guangzhou, China” and “The 29th Guangzhou Garden Expo Ground - Haixinsha
Square”. Nansha Wetland Park is known as “the kidney of Guangzhou”, a place
that homes many different species of birds but mostly waterfowls. Haixinsha
is a small artificial island located in the Pearl River which has the iconic
Canton Tower across the water on one side and Huacheng Square (Flower City
Square) on the other side.
The final judging
session was carried out on 6 October 2021. The juries of the competition
were Chairman of Yangcheng Design Alliance Sheng YuHong, Malaysian Institute
of Architects (PAM) Education Committee Chairman 2021/2022 Ar Adrianta Aziz,
South China University of Technology Assistant Professor Zhong GuanQiu,
Malaysian Bamboo Society Ir Major (Ret) Hj Ahmad Mazlan Othman, UTAR Centre
of Sustainable Architecture Chairperson Dr Lim Poh Im and LKC FES lecturer
LAr Ts Beh Jing Han.
During the final competition, the teams were judged according to the three outlooks in the scoring rules. The first outlook was the architectural design; 50% for conceptual innovation and design integration, translation and understanding of the theme; inspired by traditional art & craft “源于传统技艺” and sustainability of the bamboo structure (10% out of the 50%). The second outlook was the structural building; 30% for structural innovation and structural details, constructability of the design and clarity of the bamboo structure for construction. The last outlook was communication, presentation and promotion; 20% for the clarity of the visual presentation using image boards, model and video demonstration, creative use of multi-media video presentation including music, animation, verbal narration and caption and visually stimulating overall presentation.
Champion team’s project titled “The Blossoming Motif”
Watch their
project here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G81g7Xxpjvg
The team members of the champion team were LKC FES students Wong Puy Yan,
Boon Jing Jack, Oo Zhi Ling, Chan Qi Wei and Chin Mann Yuin. The title of
their project was “The Blossoming Motif” and they were supervised by
Department of Architecture and Sustainable Design (DASD) Specialist I Ar Loh
Khang Yong. Besides qualifying for the international level competition, the
team also walked away with a cash prize worth RM6,000, a trophy and
certificates.
Wong shared, “‘The Blossoming Motif’ was inspired by the unique Pucuk Rebung
motif within the context of Nansha Bird Park. Firstly, the motif—spirit of
integrity, our bamboo art space originates from the form of bamboo shoot,
and split in half to align with the sun path and main hall, and then further
branch out from the main bridge and place in an area surrounded with nature
to act as a focal point. Secondly, for the motif— spirit of solidity, there
are base structures, the primary skeletal frame, outer skin material and
decorative elements. Thirdly, for the motif— spirit of utility, the proposal
is interpreted as a space for shelter, play as well as visual and ultimate
exhibition for arts and craft pieces. Lastly, for the motif— spirit of
beauty, the design is crafted with curvature, gradient, lighting and
reflection.”
First runner-up team’s project titled “Golden Wings”
Watch their project
here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScwnEvxkPvA
The team which won second place was guided by LKC FES DASD Specialist I Abd
Muluk bin Abd Manan. The team members were Chor Zhao Gen, Lim Chen Hee,
Amelia Low Chuan Yin, Cheong Li Bin and Ng Chee Xin. Besides qualifying for
the international level competition, the team also walked away with a cash
prize worth RM2,000, a trophy and certificates for their project “Golden
Wings”.
Chor enthused, “‘Golden Wings’ is a three-dimensional transformation from
Wau’s structure. When it is rotated to 90 degrees, the reflection can be
seen. A clear distribution of main, secondary and tertiary structure has
been defined in accordance with the Wau structure theorem. The surrounding
swirl had created a virtual surface and it is adjusted by taking the
aerodynamics of a flying bird as the allusion. A spherical space underneath
was also created. They are connected by strings, and weaving was added on
the surface as the motif embellishment. The head, wing, body, waist and tail
of a Wau Bulan were adopted symmetrically. The coloured acrylics and bamboo
weaving patterns portray light and shadow and the chandeliers tinkle when
the breeze flow. This presents a Wau Bulan that truly symbolises Malaysia.”
The project “Re-Leaf” won Sustainable Award
Watch the project here:
https://youtu.be/h04JFVArgjI
The team which won the Sustainable Award was guided by LKC FES DASD lecturer
Ts Tsao Khee Ern. The team members were Koh Kwok Ming, Jameson Yong Bee
Jing, Lee Jun Huang, Lum Li Qi and Ng Zhe Tong. The team walked away with a
cash prize worth RM300, a trophy and certificates for their project
“Re-Leaf”.
Koh shared, “Our project “Re-Leaf” was inspired by the Chinese Traditional
art of calligraphy and the metaphorical expression of a leaf. Our project
intended to create an art-and-nature-connected art space where the
surrounding nature is also depicted as one of the ‘art’ to be showcased, and
also to ‘portray’ a picturesque bamboo structure that serves as an
embellishment to the natural setting, thus giving “a sign of new life” to
Nansha Bird Park.”
The project “Growth” won Honorary Mention
Watch the project here:
https://youtu.be/0XJeNsA86dA
The team which won the Honorary Mention was guided by LKC FES DASD lecturer
Abdul Rahim bin Mohd Zin. The team members were Low Yoong Sheng, Chin Hooi
Man, Lee Chiao Ying, Chang Jen Yi and Chong Zhen Hao. The team walked away
with a cash prize worth RM300 and certificates for their project “Growth”.
Low said, “Our concept was inspired by the growth of bamboo— strong rhizome
emerged from the nodes, giving bamboo its fast-growing characteristics.
‘Growth’ ushers an intersection between the new and the old with the
intention of passing down traditional arts and crafts techniques to the new
generation. Traditional arts and crafts, a manifestation of cultural
heritage, are constantly challenged by technological changes. The wealth
left by our ancestors is not only a representation of our identity, but it
also treasures various hidden values and spirit, nurturing patience,
creativity, self-expression and appreciation into each individual.”
The list of the winners
The competition was hosted by UTAR, School of Architecture of the South
China University of Technology and Nansha Bird Park in Guangzhou with the
support of Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM), Malaysian Bamboo Society,
Malaysia Architecture Students Alliance (MASA) and Centre of Sustainable
Architecture (COSA), UTAR.
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