Note Prepared to Face Architect Course

Interview by Lim Jit Wei

Section A: Knowledge About Architecture
1. What is an Architect?
An architect is a design professional who uses his creativity and working knowledge
of structures and materials to provide living, working and recreational environments. To
design these environments, an architect combines the practical considerations of the site,
the clients' needs and costs with a creative understanding of materials, aesthetics, and the
cultural and physical contexts. Architects are not just concerned with buildings but with
improving the built environment as a whole; they have to balance the private needs of their
clients with the interest of the community at large.

2. What other famous people defined Architecture.

a) When I am asked what I believe in, I say that I believe in architecture. Architecture
is the mother of the arts. I like to believe that architecture connects the present with
the past and the tangible with the intangible. Richard Meier
b) Architecture is a very dangerous job. If a writer makes a bad book, eh, people don't
read it. But if you make bad architecture, you impose ugliness on a place for a
hundred years.
c) Architecture is an expression of values the way we build is a reflection of the way
we live." - Norman Foster in The European
d) Architecture is not just a matter of technology and aesthetics but the frame for a
way of life and, with luck, an intelligent way of life." - Bernard Rudofsky
e) Architecture is a social art. And as a social art, it is our social responsibility to make
sure that we are delivering architecture that meets not only functional and creature
comforts, but also spiritual comfort. -Samuel Mockbee

3. Interests and Criterias to be an Architect.

It is important to:
a) be passionate about buildings and the built environment
b) enjoy art and design
c) care about people and the environment.

4. Skills needed by an Architect

a) a strong imagination and the ability to think and create in three dimensions.
b) accuracy, and attention to detail.
c) a keen interest in buildings and the built environment .
d) strong teamwork and leadership skills.
e) an understanding about the relationship between people, buildings and the
wider environment.
f) excellent IT skills, including computer-aided design skills.
g) have good drawing skills, with the ability to work in three dimensions (3D)
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 h) have reasonable mathematical skills.
i) have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
j) have presentation skills.
k) have a logical, analytical and creative approach to problem solving
l) have time management skills.
m) be self-confident and able to cope with criticism of their work.

5. Responsibilities/ Roles/Job scope of an Architect

a) discuss the ideas, objectives, requirements and budget of a project and in some
cases help to select a site.
b) consult with other professionals about design.
c) use IT in design and project management, specifically using computer-aided design
software.
d) keep within financial budgets and deadlines.
e) produce detailed workings, drawings and specifications.
f) specify the nature and quality of materials required.
g) negotiate with contractors and other professionals.
h) prepare applications for planning and building control departments.
i) draw up tender documents for contracts.
j) control a project from start to finish.
k) carry out regular site visits to check on progress and ensure that the project is
running on time and to budget.
l) resolve problems and issues that arise during construction.
m) ensure that the environmental impact of the project is managed.
n) preparing and presenting design proposals to clients.
o) advising clients on the practicality of their project.
p) negotiating with contractors and other professionals.
q) attending regular meetings with clients, contractors and other specialists.
r) co-ordinating the work of contractors.

6. The Softwares Architect use to Design:

a) 3DsMax
b) Autocad
c) Photoshop

7. Why did you choose to study architecture?

Originally I chose it because its a very creative profession, plus the fact that you
could have something that you've designed realised in real life. As time progressed, I
began to be intrigued by how buildings could affect the way we live, our mood and
behaviour. We spend most of our lives in buildings - through architecture you can influence
the way people live their lives for the better.

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 Also, the building industry has the ability to influence CO2 emissions in a country,
so you have the opportunity to reduce negative impacts upon the environment through
design.

8. Why did you choose the particular universities you went to?
Both of them were in the top ten in the country for architecture, so that was the key thing.
No matter how good the city was, I wouldn't have gone there if the university had a poor
course reputation. I chose (UXX ) because it was somewhere completely new to me - it
threw me out of my comfort zone. It was very far from home; you couldnt just nip home on
the weekend - so it forced you to throw yourself into university life. It was a chance to
experience a contrast in people and lifestyle. Also, Id heard so many people say brilliant
things about ( UXX ) and what a great city it was before I went there.

9. Future prospect of Architect In Malaysia.

Malaysia is a rich pool of architectural resources to tap from. Malaysia has around
2,000 architects registered with Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia but there are another 2,000 or
so who have yet to obtain their license to practice on their own.

Due to the diversity of cultures, the influence of colonial past and increase of fresh, new
ideas, a variety of architectural designs can be witnessed in Malaysia. One of the most
significant Malaysian architects is Ken Yeang, who was referred to by CNN as the worlds
leading architect in ecological and passive low energy design for his work on green
architecture. One of his most significant works is the futuristic Mesiniaga Tower.

Careers in architecture are expected to increase thanks to rising affluence and tax
deductions on housing loans. As this large generation transitions into their high earning
years, they are investing on properties with more amenities, gadgets and features.
According to iProperty Group, customers are looking to invest between RM150,000 to
RM500,000 for properties. This demand will mean plenty of work for architects.

Although demand will be stable, clients and developers are said to be conservative.
According to BlueScope Lysaght, a maker of steel building materials, there is a gap
between experience and exposure. Many have revolutionary ideas when it comes to
concepts but are limited by industry demands which are still rather conservative. Green
concepts and sustainable design is forecast to be the emerging trends.

10. Role of an Architect to tackle Climate Change.

a) Building materials should be carefully considered for durability, and not contain
harmful materials to human and the environment.
b) adding the renewables, such as the solar panels.
c) designing communities that are clustered around transit, jobs and amenities. These
walkable, pedestrian-orientated neighborhoods will help reduce our reliance on
fossil fuel transportation. (which includes bike paths, trails, sidewalks, and bus
stations) to encourage sustainable modes of travel.
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 d) Reduce heat-island effect. Green roofs, open space, hardscape and softscape
elements can reduce the heat-island effect of a building. This helps lower the
energy needed to operate a building and mediates the temperature of the project
site.
e) Reduce the load on heating, cooling and other systems.
f) Create passive houses. ( climate-friendly building)
g) Creatively think of ways to reuse existing building stock where it makes sense.

11. What is LAM?

The Board of Architects Malaysia (LAM) is a statutory authority responsible for the
enforcement of the Architects Act 1967.
The functions of the Board are provided under the Section 4(1) of the aforesaid Act which
includes the following :
a) Registration of Architects, Graduate Architects, Interior Designer and Building
Draughtsmen;
b) Registration of architectural consultancy practices;
c) Regulation of their conduct and ethics;
d) Conducting examinations for admission to the profession;
e) Accreditation of architectural programmes;
f) Development and Promotion of the profession;
g) Representing the architectural profession in any matter at local and international
levels.

12. What is PAM?

Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM) - Malaysian Institute of Architects - is the national
professional institute representing architects in Malaysia.

PAM was founded in 1920 as the Institute of Architects Malaya. In 1948, the name and
consequently the Constitution were changed to the Federation of Malaya Society of
Architects (FMSA) which was allied to the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
Another change in name to reflect national sovereignty, and registration under the current
name, came about when PAM was registered with the Registrar of Societies on 20
January 1967.

The Institute is managed by an elected Council consisting of a President, Deputy

President, Vice President, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and 13 Council
Members. Also in Council are the Immediate Past President, up to 4 nominated Past
Presidents, up to 3 nominated non-Corporate member and 4 elected representatives from
the Chapters.

The mission statement of the Institute is "To promote the advancement of architecture and
the architectural profession for the betterment of society". The Institute provides a
framework for its members to operate effectively: to do, to run and to get the business of
architecture within the Code of Conduct and Scale of Fees.
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The primary objectives of the Institute are:

a) To promote and enlarge knowledge, study and practice of architecture.

b) To provide a central organisation for architecture.
c) To assist and advise Governments, local authorities, or other private or public
bodies.
d) To promote friendly interaction and discourse amongst Architects.
e) To obtain and disseminate among the Members, information on matters affecting
the profession, and
f) To preserve and to maintain the integrity and status of the profession.

13. List of Malaysia famous Architect.

David A. Aitken
o Sungei Pari Towers (Ipoh, Malaysia)
E. S. COOKE

Howard Ashley
o National Mosque of Malaysia (Malaysia)
o Federal Building of Petaling Jaya (Malaysia)
Arthur Oakley Coltman
o Anglo-Oriental Building (Kuala Lumpur)
o Clock Tower (Kuala Lumpur)
o Lee Rubber Building (Kuala Lumpur)
o Odeon Cinema (Kuala Lumpur)
o Oriental Building (Kuala Lumpur)
o Rubber Research Institute of Malaya (Kuala Lumpur)
o Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque (Brunei)
Kenneth Cavendish Duncan

Goh Hock Guan

Hijjas Kasturi
o Menara Maybank (Malaysia)
o Menara Telekom (Malaysia)
o Tabung Haji (Malaysia)
o Putrajaya Convention Centre (Malaysia)

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 o Shah Alam Stadium (Malaysia)

Arthur Benison Hubback

o Ipoh railway station (Malaysia)
o Kuala Lumpur Railway Station
o Masjid Jamek (Malaysia)
o Post Office (Malaysia)
o Royal Selangor Club (Malaysia)
o Ubudiah Mosque (Malaysia)
Berthel Michael Iversen
o Cathay Cinema (Ipoh)
o Denmark House (Kuala Lumpur)
o Lido Cinema (Ipoh)
P.H. Keyes
o Hotel Majestic (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
T.Y. Lee
o Central Market
o Mimaland

Yoon Thim Lee

o Al-Rahman Mosque, University of Malaya (Malaysia)
o Federal Hotel, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
o Chin Woo Stadium, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
o Chinese Maternity Hospital (Malaysia)
o East Asia Building (Malaysia)
o Methodist Boys School - Sentul: addition
o Kampung Baru Mosque (Malaysia)
o UMNO Building
Kington Loo

S.P.C. Merer
o Federal Building of Petaling Jaya (Malaysia)
o Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Malaysia)
Arthur Charles Alfred Norman
o Government Printing Office
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 o High Court Building (Malaysia)
o Sultan Abdul Samad Building
Ken Yeang
o Menara Mesiniaga (Malaysia)
o National Library, Singapore (Singapore)

Nik Mohamed Mahmood

Sarly Adre Sarkum

Tan Loke Mun

o S11 house (Malaysia)

Thomas A.S. Tiang

o Ampang Park (Malaysia)
o Pertama Shopping Complex (Malaysia)
o Pudu Plaza Malaysia (Malaysia)

14. Hijjas bin Kasturi

(born 1936) is a Kuala Lumpur-based architect. Active for more than fifty years, he has
been responsible for some of the most significant buildings in South East Asia, in
themodern, postmodern, and deconstructiviststyles. He is considered the father
of Malaysian architecture of the second half of the twentieth century.
Early life
Hijjas was born in Singapore in 1936. His Chinese mother was raised in Indonesia and
then married a Singaporean Javanese. He and went to Raffles Institute to continue his
secondary education, and he was then granted a scholarship by the Australian
Government to study at the University of Adelaide; he eventually graduated from
the University of Melbourne. He moved to Malaysia in 1967 and founded the first
professional degree program in Malaysia, The School of Art and Architecture at MARA
Institute of Technology. In 1977, he founded his own practice, Hijjas Kasturi Associates
Sdn (HKAS).

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Awards
J. Brett Plywood Award, Australia.
Johan Bintang Sarawak, 1988.

Award for Kuching Civic Centre, Association of Engineers, California, USA, 1989.

Asean Award 1990, in recognition of his work in the visual arts (Architecture)

Nominated to the World Arts Council under the auspices of the World Economic
Forum, Davos,Switzerland,1994.

12th Tokyo Creation Award by Tokyo Fashion Association, Japan, Dec 98.

PAM 2000 Excellence Awards in Recognition of Design Excellence in Commercial

Building.

Category on The Securities Commission Headquarters Building, July 2001.

Asean Energy Efficiency Award for Securities Commission Headquarters, Bukit

Kiara.

Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysias Gold Medal Award, Sept 2001 for outstanding works
and invaluable contribution in architecture.

Award in Urban Redevelopment, Conservation and Restoration for Kampung Glam,

Singapore by Pertubuhan Perancang Malaysia, Oct, 2001.

Vocational Excellence Award for the recognition of outstanding achievements in the

field of Architecture by the Rotary Club of Metro Kuala Lumpur, Oct 2002.

Anjung Seri Creative Council Award for the recognition of outstanding achievements
in the field of arts and designs by Berita Publishing SdnBhd, Nov 2002.

BCIA (Building Construction Interchange Asia) Top Ten 2005 Award, February 2005.

Notable buildings
Hijjas was the architect of Wisma Equity one of the most prominent brutalistbuildings
constructed in Malaysia. Located at 150, Jalan Ampang, 50450, Kuala Lumpur, it is on a
prominent site and was completed in 1982. It was officially opened in 1983 by Dato
Elyasbin Omar. Wisma Equity is an 11 floors office building including a lower ground. It is
made of exposed concrete, and the building appears to defy gravity and structure by
becoming larger as it rises. In this regard, it bears a formal similarity to Marcel
Breuers Whitney Museum in New York City.

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Major buildings designed by Hijjas Kasturi Associates include the Menara
Maybank(1989), Tabung Haji (1986), Telekom Tower (2001), Putrajaya International
Convention Centre (2003) and the 4G11 Tower in Putrajaya (2008).

15. Ken Yeang

Ken Yeang (born 1948) is a Malaysian architect, ecologist and author known for his
signature ecoarchitecture and ecomasterplans. Yeang is an early pioneer of ecology-
based green design and masterplanning, carrying out design and research in this field
since 1971. He was named by the Guardian as "one of the 50 people who could save the
planet".

Yeang's operating headquarters for his company Hamzah and Yeang is in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia, with other offices in London as Ken Yeang Design International
and Beijing (China as North Hamzah Yeang Architectural and Engineering Company.

Recognition and Awards

Hamzah & Yeang's design and built work have been recognised by the over 70 awards
received since 1989 that include the:

Aga Khan Award for Architecture (for the Menara Mesiniaga, an IBM franchise)

Prince Claus Award (Netherlands, 1999)

The UIA (International Union of Architects) Auguste Perret Award

Several of the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) annual design awards

The WACA (World Association of Chinese Architects) Gold Medals (for the Solaris
Building, 2011 and for the National Library Singapore)

The Holcim Regional Award for Sustainability (Switzerland) (for the Putrajaya Phase
2C5 building, Malaysia, 2011),

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His personal awards include:

PAM (Malaysia Institute of Architects) Gold Medal

UIA Auguste Perret Award

Government of Malaysias Darjah Mulia Pangkuan Negeri (DMPN) Award (that

carries the official title of Dato (2003) generally regarded as the Malaysian equivalent
of the UKs OBE)
Lynn S. Beedle Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council on Tall Buildings and
Urban Habitat (USA)
Merdeka Award (for the 'environment' category, 2011) from the Government of
Malaysia, regarded as its national equivalent of the Nobel prize.

Bioclimatic skyscraper

Yeang's early work applies bioclimatic (climate-responsive) principles to building design, to

create low-energy passive-mode buildings. This climate-responsiveness approach
engenders critical regionalist features in his work, where climatic responses of the design
provide the links to its locality. The bioclimatic approach subsequently became the
underlying armature for his ecological design agenda.

The 'Roof-Roof' House (1985), where Yeang lives at the edge of Kuala Lumpur, is his early
experimental bioclimatic built work. The dwelling with several experimental ideas within a
single built form, has an identifiable dramatic curved louvred upper roof-structure as an
umbrella-like 'environmental filter' that functions as a solar-filtering device and a second
shading roof (hence its name 'Roof-Roof') that shades the building's lower roof terrace.
The large louvres are angled to let in the easterly morning sun but keep out the hot mid-
day and western sun. It has side 'wind wing-walls' at the south to direct wind into the dining
area. On the east is a pool that besides being for swimming also functions as an
evaporative-cooling device to cool the predominantly easterly breeze before entering the
adjoining internal living spaces. The many features on this small building make it an
instructive reference prototype for bioclimatic climate-responsive architecture. The
influences of its built form and bioclimatic ideas can be found in Yeang's later work.

Yeang applied these bioclimatic passive-mode principles to the high-rise tower typology; a
built form he considers requires revision. His contention is that the high-rise tower as an
intensive built form will not go away overnight because of the existent economic basis for
its existence arising from high urban land values and the need to accommodate rapid
urban growth. He sought to find ecologically benign ways to make this built form green and
humane to inhabit. He built several experimental climate-responsive and eco-designed
towers from the mid-1970s to present day. For instance, the Plaza Atrium with the giant
wind-scoop, Menara Boustead with the planted sky-terraces, Plaza IBM with the
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continuous system of stepped-planters, Central Plaza with its solar oriented facade,
Solaris with its continuous vegetated spiraling ramp, Spire Edge with its vertical green eco-
infrastructure. Professor Udo Kulterman (Washington University) credits him as the
inventor of the 'bioclimatic skyscraper',

The Mesiniaga Tower (an IBM Franchise) is regarded as his most didactic climate-
responsive tower, bringing various earlier experimental 'bioclimatic skyscraper' ideas in a
single built form. It is seen in the placement of the elevator core as a solar buffer at the
tower's hot side, the placement of toilets and stairwells to receive natural ventilation
opportunities, the various solar-path shaped sun-shades, the use of an evaporative-
cooling pool at the uppermost roof level, the overhead louvred canopy as a framework for
future PV cells, and the vegetated and stepped facade-recessed sky-terraces as interstitial
semi-enclosed spaces for the building's users. The building is characteristic of Yeang's
work in an ideas-driven approach. This seminal building received several awards including
the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (1993), The Malaysian Institute of Architects Award,
the Singapore Institute of Architects Award, The Royal Australian Institute of Architects
Award and a citation from the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Yeang continues to pursue and develop these bioclimatic passive-mode design ideas and
devices to other low-rise and medium-rise building types, now with ecological features and
at other climatic zones.

Green urbanism

In the 1990s, Yeang started work on designing the high-rise typology as 'vertical green
urbanism'. He sought to reinvent the skyscraper typology as a form of 'vertical urban
design'.

His ideas invert the high-rise typology to be now designed as a 'city-in-the-sky', or what he
refers as 'vertical urban design, which he first exemplified in his high-rise National Library
Singapore (2005). The building features large 40m high 'public realms-in-the sky' in the
form of two verdantly landscaped 'skycourt gardens', a ground plane as an 'open-to-the-
sky' plaza for public festivals and culturally-related activities. The thickened first floor slab
over the plaza functions bio-climatically as an evaporative-cooling mass to the public realm
below. Multiple upper-level sky-bridges link the building's two blocks (one regular-shaped
block containing the library's book collections and the other, a 'banana-shaped' block for
the library's programming activities. There is a naturally-ventilated atrium between the two
blocks, covered by a ventilating louvred canopy over the entire built form that serves as its
'fifth facade'. There are two multi-volume reading rooms are located at either sides of the
book collections block. At the uppermost roof level is a promontory viewing pod. The
building's built form has an organic geometry in Yeang's on-going explorations to derive an
ecological aesthetic. The building is well built without being elaborately detailed. The
building is BCA-rated Green Mark Platinum.

Yeang's ideas for an urban park-in-the-sky in the high-rise building type is manifested as a
'vertical linear park' in his Solaris Building (2011) at 1-North Singapore that is a benchmark
building in his green agenda for designing buildings as 'constructed living systems' (see
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his 'biodiversity targets matrix' in the GyeonGi Masterplan, Seoul, Korea). The building has
an ecologically-linked vegetated pedestrian walkway ramp that is 1.3 km in length as a
'vertical linear park', punctuated by sky garden terraces located at each of the building's
corners, and further linked to a mid-level and to the uppermost-level roof gardens.

His ideas for a vertical linear park and vertical urbanism were first explored in his unbuilt
EDITT Tower (Waterloo Road, Singapore). This idea is further developed in his Solaris
building. The Solaris also has an 'ecocell' (a green integrative device first presented in his
masterplan for Kowloon Waterfront masterplan, Hong Kong). The Solaris has side 'rain-
check' glazed-walls at the ground floor's facades facing a non-air-conditioned space, and a
central trim with automated-operated glass-louvres over the atrium with sensors that open
and shut the louvres when required to ventilate the atrium and the ground floor. The
building is BCA-rated Green Mark Platinum.

The Solaris' vertical linear park device led to his concept of the continuous 'green eco-
infrastructure', a device that enables a vital ecological nexus between the built form and its
surrounding landscape and hinterland, that became a crucial biodiversity component in all
his subsequent masterplanning and eco-city design work (e.g. the iconic SOMA
Masterplan in Bangalore, India) and in his architecture (e.g. the Spire Edge Tower
in Gurgaon, India, completion c. 2013). This green eco-infrastructure concept led to his
developing a unifying platform for eco-masterplanning that is the "weaving together of 'four
eco-infrastructures' into a unified system" (see below).

Yeang worked on the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital Extension (London, UK)
(completed 2011) as a green healthcare facility. The building has a corner mixed-mode
flue-wall providing natural ventilation during the mid-seasons to the Walt Disney operated
ground floor Cafe), a sedum-planted roof, various low energy building systems (CHP, etc.),
use of green materials, etc. The building is BREEAM rated 'excellent'.

His contribution to masterplanning is the development of a 'platform' for designing eco-

masterplans and eco-cities. The approach regards designing buildings and masterplans as
'total living systems' that are both interactive and functional through the bio-integration of
'four eco-infrastructural armatures' into an overall coherent system Firstly, the 'green
infrastructure' (described here as 'nature's utilities') which includes ecological corridors and
networks that link existent and new open spaces and provide habitats for fauna and flora,
for natural resource management and integrated urban food production systems. Second,
the 'grey infrastructure' which includes cleantech eco-engineering systems such as
sustainable energy systems, transportation/movement systems, natural sewage systems,
materials recycling systems (including DFD or 'Designing For Disassembly construction),
bioclimatic enclosure systems, green hardscapes and other green engineering utilities.
Thirdly, the 'blue infrastructure', which includes hydrological management, the 'closing' of
the water cycle, water conservation and management, grey water reuse, rain water
harvesting, sustainable drainage including the use of bioswales, filtration strips,black
water treatment, detention ponds as storm water management systems. The last eco-
infrastructural armature is the 'red infrastructure', that requires creating sustainable human
ways of life and societal activities which include creating new green lifestyles, providing
new sustainable food production and distribution systems, green human laws and
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legislative systems, revising existent socio-economic, industrial and political systems into
sustainable systems, etc.

This approach to eco-city design and eco-masterplanning provides an indeterminate

general framework that enables an inclusivity of constantly changing complex factors and
technologies, with a flexibility that allows for technological obsolescence while encouraging
innovation.

Aesthetics of eco-architecture

Yeang pursuit of eco-architecture and eco-masterplanning theories, concepts and ideas

have been carried out in parallel with an exploration for an 'ecological aesthetic',
encouraged by his former PhD Supervisor at Cambridge University, Professor John
Frazer, in questioning "...What a green building and masterplan should look like?"

Yeang contends that an ecological architectural aesthetic should resemble a living system,
looking natural, verdant and hirsute with nature and its processes visible in the bio-
integration of the synthetic builtform's physical constituents (abiotic) with the native fauna,
flora (the biotic constituents) and the environmental biological processes of the land. He
contends that much of existent architecture and masterplans that lay claim by other
elsewhere to be sustainable are simply commonly-styled or iconically-styled builtforms
stuffed internally with eco-engineering gadgetry and with occasional vegetation in its upper
open courts. Yeang contends that an eco-architecture and an eco-city should be 'alive' as
a living system, analogous to a constructed ecosystem and not 'de-natured' nor look
predominantly inorganic, artificial and synthetic. He adopts these assertions as the basis
for his eco-architecture.

Yeang contends that eco-architecture and eco-masterplans demand their own identifiable
'style'. It is this distinctive green vegetated eco-aesthetic in Yeang's architecture and
masterplans that brought international attention to his work. His eco-aesthetic does not
have the shape or form that in any way resemble existent architectural styles. This
aesthetic is an independent aesthetic that encompasses eco-design holistically and which
comes from an interpretation, an understanding and the inclusion of ecological
constituents and processes of its locality in its built form. This can be regarded as an
emergent ecological aesthetic, where its shapes and forms have a nexus with adjoining
ecosystems, which harmonise with the site's ecology, enhance local biodiversity, besides
having other eco performance features such denying negative consequences, avert
polluting emissions, be more energy and water efficient and carbon neutral than
conventional buildings, and other eco-design attributes. He sees the eco-architecture as
designed like a 'constructed living system'. Lord Norman Foster of Thames Bank refers to
Yeang's eco-aesthetics, "Ken Yeang has developed a distinctive architectural vocabulary
that extends beyond questions of style to confront issues of sustainability and how we can
build in harmony of the natural world." (2011). Yeang's work in his relentless pursuit of an
original bio-integrated 'ecological aesthetic' can be regarded as Yeang's other contribution
to this field.

Work on the theory of ecological design

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Yeang is both a theoretician and a seasoned designer. The theoretical rigorousness in his
work firmly underpins and legitimises his ecological architecture and masterplanning work
and gives them critical substance that anchors his eco-design work. Yeang's writings, built
and theoretical work have contributed significantly in advancing this field of endeavour. His
earlier Cambridge doctoral dissertation (1975) presents a unifying comprehensive
theoretical model for eco-design, still remaining valid today, defines the prime factors in
eco-design in the form of four sets of interrelated 'environmental interactions', which he
assembles in a mathematical 'partitioned-matrix' of four sets of interdependent
environmental interactions. This theoretical model continues to serve as the underlying
guiding framework for his present eco-architecture and eco-masterplanning work.

He recognised over 4 decades ago that human's callous environmental devastations and
contamination of the natural environment would adversely affect the planet's natural
balance, its ecosystems biodiversity and its biospheric processes (causing global warming
and climate change). It is this insight then in the early 1970s that led him to do research in
this field for a doctorate in ecological design and planning at Cambridge University (UK).

Because ecodesign in the 1970s did not have the benefit of prior research, theoretical
models and frameworks, nor engineering support, Yeang early years involved empirical
research, experimental design, and investigative studies of ecological processes that he
could replicate or mimic in his human made structures. His research work is published in
several key books including, Designing with Nature (1995), The Skyscraper, Bioclimatically
Considered: A Design Primer (1997), The Green Skyscraper: The Basis for Designing
Sustainable Intensive Buildings (Prestel), Ecodesign: A Manual for Ecological
Design(2006), Eco-Masterplanning (2009), Eco Design Dictionary (an illustrated reference
with co-author Lillian Woo, 2009). He is currently researching for a monograph, Eco-
mimesis: Bases for Designing the Built Environment, on the mimicry of the ecological
properties and attributes of ecosystems (Publ. by Taylor and Francis).

Yeangs recent projects show the maturing of his design work with a growing complexity
and confidence in creating an eco-architecture as a 'living system' with an evident hirsute
greening and vertical landscaping that defines and becomes his own identifiable
architectural style. With the high level of verdant landscape in his builtforms, (whether
externally or placed internally within the builtform for climatic protection in his projects in
temperate and cold climates), his ecoaesthetic is described by his colleagues as
'indeterminate', 'hairy', 'constructed habitats'. 'vertical landscaping'. The most significant
impact of Yeang's work on architecture is possibly his revisioning of architectural design to
no longer be designing simply synthetic and inanimate objects, but as the complex
creation of built structures as 'constructed ecosystems' (that must also address the usual
other users' programmatic functions such as fulfilling their programmatic needs, creating
vitally experiential and pleasurable spaces, etc.). The approach involves creating viable
habitats within the development and then matching these with selected native fauna
species whether for feeding, breeding or refuge to enhance local biodiversity. These are
then matched with selected flora species in a composite 'biodiversity matrix ' that provides
views the basis for designing the local landscape conditions for the species to survive over
the seasons of the year. Yeang now applies this concept to all his work. This endeavour
takes eco-design beyond accreditation systems, to its next generation of green design,
14
redefining the relationship of our human-made synthetic built systems with the ecology of
the landscape, enabling a higher level of bio-integration and biodiversity.

Yeang's oeuvre of design, built and theoretical work, his most important and instructive
contribution to ecological design is his advancing the landmark macro ecology-based land
use planning approach of one of his mentors, the landscape architect Ian McHarg and
then extending and articulating this eco-masterplannng work from its large-scale urban
planning scale with its ecology-based approach to the 'micro level' of architectural design
at the scale of the built form. This was an endeavour that McHarg had sought to do for his
architect colleagues but unable to achieve, likely limited by being a landscape architect.

Carrying out an ongoing in-house programme of research on eco-design within his

professional practice and undertaken over several decades, Yeang applies the research
outcomes concurrently in his firm's design work. This two-prong approach of progressively
developing a body of research basis for design and implementing this research in his
design and built work led Yeang to being recognised internationally as a pioneer, advocate,
writer and innovator in an authentic approach to ecological design. By the mid-1990s both
private and public sector clients worldwide, dissatisfied with the limitations of conventional
accreditation systems and with the eco-engineering-hardware based design approach of
many others, sought Yeang for their signature (iconic) eco-designed architecture projects,
eco-masterplans and large scale eco-city designs. Yeang's design work is characterised
as ideas-driven builtform where each design expounds one or more of his newly invented
eco systemic, eco technical ideas or novel device such as the 'eco landscape-bridge' and
the 'eco-undercroft' (in the Guangzhou Masterplan, China and in the Cambaie Masterplan,
La Reunion), the 'eco-cell' (in the Kowloon Waterfront Masterplan, Hong Kong), the 'green
eco-infrastructure' (in the SOMA Masterplan, Bangalore, India), the continuous green-wall
(in DiGi Data Centre in Shah Alam, Malaysia), the 'Vertical Linear Park' (in the Solaris
building, in Singapore) and others.

His recent work explores the concept of 'eco-mimicry' as designing the built environment
as constructed ecosystems that mimic the processes, structure and attributes of
ecosystems, such as ecosystem biological structure, ecosystem materials recycling,
ecosystems increasing efficient energy use, etc. Eco-mimicry is a term he first used in his
book, Eco-design: A Manual for Ecological Design (2006). adopted from his early ideas
and papers (in Yeang, K. (1974), Bionics: The Use of Biological Analogies in Design, in
AAQ No.4 (Architectural Association Quarterly), London, UK, in Yeang, K.(1972), Bases for
Ecosystem Design, in Architectural Design, Architectural Press, London (1973)). the ideas
can also be found in, Learning From Nature: The Ecomimicry Project (Marchall, Alex,
poster paper, Environmental Education conference, Western Australia (2006). The term
'eco-mimicry' is regarded by some as an outgrowth from the terms bio-mimicry and 'eco-
mimetics'. Yeang's version of eco-mimicry refers to physical, structural and systemic
mimicry of ecosystems, and not to be mistaken with a simplistic 'visual' mimicry which he
regards as superficial. This work is developed from his earlier research (in his Cambridge
doctoral dissertation, 1974) on the use of biological analogies in design.

Fundamental to Yeang's design work is an ecological nexus as an eco-infrastructure within

the built structure. All of Yeangs architecture and eco-masterplans have an internal as well
15
as an external ecological connectivity within the built forms or masterplans that is
connected to the landscape at the ground plane and where possible to the hinterland's
natural landscape, and which further seek a benign and seamless bio-integration between
human activities and its built systems with the surrounding ecosystems in the landscape
(e.g. in the Zorlu Masterplan, Istanbul, Turkey). He draws a systemic analogy here with
'prosthesis' in surgery where successful bio-integration of our synthetic constructed
systems with their host organism is crucial. He identifies three levels of designing for bio-
integration: physical, systemic, temporal.

Most of the current generation of architects and engineers approach green design and
construction through cleantech eco-engineering ('eco-gadgetry') or simply through
compliance to green accreditation systems. To Yeang, while these practices are relevant
and can be progressive, they do not constitute green design in an environmentally
comprehensive and inclusive way inherent in an ecologically-based approach. Yeang
states, ..it is easy to be misled or seduced by technology and to think that if we assemble
enough eco-gadgetry (e.g. in the form of solar collectors, photovoltaic cells, biological
recycling systems, building-automation systems and double-skin facades, etc.) in one
single building that this can automatically be considered ecological architecture..". Yeang
contends that although these engineering systems and technologies are commendable
and useful components towards an ecological architecture and towards achieving an
ecological outcome, he asserts that ecological design is not just about cleantech or eco-
engineering or carbon neutral systems; but that eco-technologies and engineering must be
integrated with and be influenced by the ecology, climate and physical conditions of the
landscape.

Yeang believes that our existent built environment is regarded as having alienated humans
from nature, as aspect, which he considers needing to be rectified. He defines eco-design
as 'achieving a benign and seamless bio-integration of our built environment and human
activities with the natural environment', He regards this bio-integration function to include
enhancing biodiversity, repairing human-caused fragmented ecosystems, enhancing
ecological nexus (through devices such as eco landbridges, eco undercrofts, vertical green
walls and landscaping), the use of eco-cells for internal integrating of builtforms, repairing
ecologically fragmented territory by ecological corridors and fingers to provide an
ecological nexus to connect to the landscape and hinterland, minimising disruptions with
adjoining ecosystems, maintaining sensitive eco-balance within habitats, enhancing
existent urban greenery, reducing or having zero dependency on non-renewable sources
of energy, designing for water conservation and management, providing sustainable
drainage systems (including sustainable drainage and use of constructed wetlands), using
green building materials that are recyclable, reusable and re-integrateable benignly back
into the natural environment, and others. His recent advances (see below) include
designing built systems as 'living systems' through designing to create 'constructed
habitats' (in the Gyeongi Masterplan, Seoul, Korea).

Many regard Yeangs work as simply placing vegetation in his builtforms or as just creating
an ecological nexus (continuous link) within his builtforms to enhance local biodiversity.
Yeangs work does more than the addition of greenery and landscaping in builtforms. The
unique factor is that he designs his buildings and eco-masterplans as total 'living systems'
16
and as constructed ecosystems requiring the creation of new habitats within and around
the development, involving the matching of selected native species with these constructed
habitats, setting their biodiversity targets to achieve the expected level of biodiversity by
providing physical conditions within these habitats to enable the selected species to
survive over the seasons of the year. In achieving this, his built work become more than
just vertically-landscaped architecture but are in effect constructed living systems. [6] This
designing of developments as living systems differentiates his work from the work of those
who imitate his work by just placement of planting within their builtforms.

Key Projects

Yeang has completed over 200 built projects since 1975. His benchmark buildings,
projects and their innovations include:

The EDITT Tower (unbuilt) Waterloo Road, Singapore a 2ndn prize winner,
EDITT competition.

The project has been published in over 30 international publications for its hirsute
extensively-vegetated ramp faade and aesthetic.

The Roof Roof House Selangor, Malaysia (1985) an experimental climate-

responsive house that rethought bioclimatic passive-mode low-energy building design.

Menara Mesiniaga Tower Selangor, Malaysia (1992) a climate-responsive tower

that exemplifies Yeangs key principles for 'bioclimatic skyscraper' design, and received
the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, the RAIA (Royal Australian Institute of Architects)
International Award, the Malaysian institute of Architects Design Award.

National Library Singapore (2005) a green library tower (120m) with large
landscaped sky courts (40m high) that received the BCA Green Mark Platinum Award
2005, and the Singapore Institute of Architects Award.

DiGi Technical Office Shah Alam, Malaysia (2010) advances the idea of a 'living'
eco wall as a nexus of greenery linking all the facades. It received the Malaysian
Institute of Architects Design Award (Commendation, 2010) and Green Building Index
Gold rating.

Solaris Tower 1-north, Singapore (2010) [with CPG Consult]- with a 1.5 km long
'Vertical Linear Park' vegetated ramp that wraps itself around the tower's faade, a
diagonal light-shaft, automated glass-louvers roof over the atrium, rain-check walls at
the ground floor, which received the Singapore Institute of Architects Award (2011), the
Malaysian institute of Architects Gold Award 2011, the WACA (World Association of
Chinese Architects) Gold Medal 2011 and BCA Green Mark Platinum rating.

Ganendra Art House Petaling Jaya, Malaysia (2011) Art Gallery with
accommodation for live-in artist has an experimental 'down-draft' ventilating flue for

17
 enhancing comfort cooling, received the Malaysian Institute of Architects Design Award
(Commendation) 2010, Green Building Index certification rating.

Projects (construction completion year)

Plaza Atrium, Kuala Lumpur, 1981

Menara Mesiniaga, Subang Jaya, Malaysia, 1992

UMNO Tower, Penang, 1998

Mutiara Mesiniaga Penang, Penang, 2003

National Library of Singapore, Singapore, 2005

Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (Main campus, Cyberjaya), Malaysia,

2006

Fu Gong Shan, Johore, Malaysia (2016)

16. Top 3 Tallest building in Malaysia.

R
H
a Flo
Building Image City (m H (ft) Yr Architect
n ors
)
k

Petronas Kuala 452 1,483 f

1 88 1998 Cesar Pelli
Tower Lumpur m t

Kumpulan
Kuala 421 1,379 f
2 Menara KL 15 1996 Senireka Sdn
Lumpur m t
Bhd

18
R
H
a Flo
Building Image City (m H (ft) Yr Architect
n ors
)
k

Menara Kuala 310 1,017 f Hijjas Kasturi

3 55 2001
Telekom Lumpur m t Associates

17. World Famous Buildings to inspire you.

1. Eiffel Tower Paris, France

Constructed in 1889, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most famous structures in the world. Its named
after the engineer Gustave Eiffel and it was build as the entrance arch for the World Expo
of 1889. The tower is 324 meters high, approximately as an 81 storey building. Today, the
tower attracts millions of visitors every year. Architect: Stephen Sauvestre.

2. The Burj al Arab Dubai

Built on an artificial island 280 meters away from the coast, the Burj al Arab in Dubai is one of the
most luxurious and the fourth tallest hotel in the world. Its 321 meters high and it represents one of
the wonders of contemporary engineering. The building is designed by Tom Wright of WKK
architects and its shape emulates shape of the sail of a ship.

3. Parthenon Athens, Greece

The most famous and the best preserved temple of ancient Greece had a lot of influence on the
architecture, art and aesthetics of the western world. It was built in the 5th century BC, dedicated to
the goddess Athena Parthenos, the patron of Athens. Its sculptures, ornaments and friezes are
today considered the finest examples of Classical Greek art. Its supervising architect, Phidias is
still known by name as one of the best sculptors and builders of the ancient times.

4. Sagrada Familia Barcelona, Spain

One of the most elaborate churches in history, with a construction that has taken the most of the
20th century. Designed by one of the greatest minds of modern architecture, Antonio Gaudi, the
cathedral represents the fantastic fusion of gothic influences and singular art nouveau ideas. Its
construction started in 1882, lasting through decades until the Spanish Civil War and the World
War II, when it stopped. Resuming the building in the 1950s, the process is not over yet. Although
the church has been consecrated in 2010, the final completion is planned for 2026, the year of 100
19
years anniversary of Gaudis death. Although unfinished, this building is huge and breathtaking
with myriads of ornaments adorning its constructive elements, making it one of the most
recognizable symbols of the city.

5. Angkor Wat Cambodia

At first Hindu, then Buddhist, Angkor Wat was the most mysterious temple and the largest religious
complex in the world. It was built in the 12th century by the Khmer King Suryavarman, intended to
be the state temple and then his mausoleum. After Hinduist traditions were abandoned, Angkor
Wat was dedicated to the Buddhist deity Vishnu. The complex is the symbol of Cambodia and it
found its place on the Cambodian national flag. Vast and impressive, this brilliant example of
Khmer architecture is captivating in its beauty and strong in its traditional structure.

6. Saint Peters Basilica Vatican, Rome, Italy

Probably the most famous Catholic church in the world, Saint Peters in Rome was designed by
Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, Carlo Maderno and Gianlorenzo Bernini, respectively, with
smaller additions by other prominent architects. Its an elaborate basilica, and the most revered
building of Renaissance architecture.

7. Sydney Opera House

One of the most famous opera houses in the world, because of its building. It was designed by
Danish architect Jorn Utzon, who was celebrated for the groundbreaking modern design. Sydney
Opera House was opened in 1973, staging large theatrical productions.

8. Colosseum

This ancient Roman amphitheatre is considered one of the greatest achievements of Roman
architecture. It was constructed in 70-80 AD, and its one of the first buildings in history where
concrete was used for construction.

9. Tower Bridge London

The symbol of London and a pearl of the 19th century architecture, Tower Bridge was built as a
combination of bascule bridge and suspension bridge in 1886 1894.

10. Hagia Sophia Istanbul

A monumental church, then mosque and today a museum. Its a singular testimony to the grandeur
and the genius of Byzantine architecture. It was built in 6th century AD, during the reign of Emperor
Justinian.

11. Kremlin

Moscow Kremlin is a large fortified complex set in the bosom of Moscow. It was built in 15th
century and the fortress spans over almost 28 hectares of land, with its impressive red walls,
towers and buildings. Its the seat of Russian government.

12. Empire State Building

20
Rarely a person travels to New York without planning to visit the Empire State Building. It is the
symbol of the city and the pioneering skyscraper, with its 103 stories. This 381 meters high
structure was designed by William F. Lamb and completed in 1931, becoming one of the first
skyline creators of the Big Apple.

13. Beijing National Stadium

The stadium (BNS) was a joint venture among architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de
Meuron of Herzog & de Meuron, project architect Stefan Marbach, artist Ai Weiwei, and
CADG which was led by chief architect Li Xinggang. The stadium was designed for use
throughout the 2008 Summer Olympics and Paralympics and will be used again in
the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. The stadium is currently mostly unused, after
having been unsuccessfully suggested as the permanent headquarters of the Beijing
football team. The Bird's Nest sometimes has some extra temporary large screens
installed at the stands of the stadium.

14. Petronas Towers Kuala Lumpur

These twin towers were the tallest buildings in the world in the period from 1998 to 2004, and still
are the tallest twin buildings in the world. Their complex and supermodern design initiated the
construction of the post-modern Kuala Lumpur.

15. Leaning Tower Pisa

The campanile of the cathedral of Pisa, Tuscany is world famous for its leaning position. Started in
the 12th, the tower was completed in the second half of the 14th century, and it is the iconic
building of the late Italian Romanesque style.

16. Taj Mahal

Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built the most fantastic and the most beautiful monument to love, for
his early deceased wife Mumtaz Mahal. The entire building is covered in white marble, depicting
architecturally the ideal vision of heaven. Constructed in the 17th century, it is located in Agra, in
the Indian region Uttar Pradesh.

17. Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

There was no better choice for the contemporary art museum architect, but the Guggenheim
Museum Bilbao designer the amazing Frank Gehry. The building is the fantastic creation,
covered in shiny sheets of metal, transferring the visitor into another dimension. The museum was
inaugurated in 1997.

18. Flatiron Building

A groundbreaking triangular solution of early modern architecture. The Flatiron Building was
designed by Daniel Burnham and completed in 1902. This New York landmark was the tallest
building in the world at the time it was completed.

21
19. Villa Savoye

One of the most renowned modernist villas, built by the modern architecture pioneer Le Corbusier
in Poissy, near Paris. The villa was constructed after the emblematic Five Points the famous
architect relied on, while conjuring up the modern style.

20. Kauffman Residence or Fallingwater

One of the most admired buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, built in 1935 near Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania. The modern house is set above a natural waterfall, fusing the artificial and the
natural in perfect harmony. Fallingwater was proclaimed best all time work of American
architecture by the American Institute of Architects in 1991.

18. Malaysia Tallest Building: Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur

The Petronas Towers are an iconic landmark in Malaysia's capital city Kuala Lumpur.

Standing at 170 metres above ground, the Petronas Towers are twin skyscrapers in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia. The buildings, which held the titled of tallest in the world between 1998-
2004, are an iconic landmark of the capital city.

The distinctive postmodern style was created by architects Cesar Pelli and Achmad
Murdijat, engineer Deejay Cerico and designer Dominic Saibo under the consultancy of JC
Guinto.

The towers were designed by Argentine architect Cesar Pelli. They chose a
distinctive postmodern style to create a 21st-century icon for Kuala Lumpur. Planning on
the Petronas Towers started on 1 January 1992 and included rigorous tests and
simulations of wind and structural loads on the design. Seven years of construction
followed at the former site of the original Selangor Turf Club, beginning on 1 March 1993
with excavation, which involved moving 500 truckloads of earth every night to dig down 30
metres (98 ft) below the surface.

The construction of the superstructure commenced on 1 April 1994. Interiors with furniture
were completed on 1 January 1996, the spires of Tower 1 and Tower 2 were completed on
1 March 1996, and the first batch of Petronas personnel moved into the building on 1
January 1997. The building was officially opened by the Prime Minister of Malaysia's Tun
Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad on 1 August 1999. The twin towers were built on the site of
Kuala Lumpur's race track. Test boreholes found that the original construction site
effectively sat on the edge of a cliff. One half of the site was decayed limestone while the
other half was soft rock. The entire site was moved 61 metres (200 ft) to allow the
22
buildings to sit entirely on the soft rock. Because of the depth of thebedrock, the buildings
were built on the world's deepest foundations. 104 concrete piles, ranging from 60 to 114
metres (197 to 374 ft) deep, were bored into the ground. The concrete raft foundation,
comprising 13,200 cubic metres (470,000 cu ft) of concrete was continuously poured
through a period of 54 hours for each tower. The raft is 4.6 metres (15 ft) thick, weighs
32,500 tonnes (35,800 tons) and held the world record for the largest concrete pour until
2007. The foundations were completed within 12 months by Bachy Soletanche and
required massive amounts of concrete. The Petronas Towers' structural system is a tube in
tube design, invented by Fazlur Rahman Khan. Applying a tube-structure for extreme tall
buildings is a common phenomenon.

The 88-floor towers are constructed largely of reinforced concrete, with a steel and glass
facade designed to resemble motifs found in Islamic art, a reflection of
Malaysia's Muslim religion. Another Islamic influence on the design is that the cross
section of the towers is based on a Rub el Hizb, albeit with circular sectors added to meet
office space requirements.

As a result of the Malaysian government specifying that the buildings be completed in six
years, two construction consortiums were hired to meet the deadline, one for each tower.
Tower 1, the west tower (right in the top-right photograph) was built by a Japanese
consortium led by the Hazama Corporation (JA Jones Construction Co., MMC Engineering
Services Sdn Bhd, Ho Hup Construction Co. Bhd and Mitsubishi Corp) while Tower 2, the
east tower (left in the top-right photograph) was built by a South Korean consortium led by
the Samsung C&T Corporation (Kukdong Engineering & Construction and Syarikat
Jasatera Sdn Bhd). Ekovest Berhad, with Tan Sri Datuk Lim Kang Hoo at its helm also
played an integral role in the construction as well as final fit outs of the towers and the
shopping mall below the towers (Suria KLCC). Early into construction a batch of concrete
failed a routine strength test causing construction to come to a complete halt. All the
completed floors were tested but it was found that only one had used a bad batch and it
was demolished. As a result of the concrete failure, each new batch was tested before
being poured. The halt in construction had cost US$700,000 per day and led to three
separate concrete plants being set up on the site to ensure that if one produced a bad
batch, the other two could continue to supply concrete. The sky bridge contract was
completed by Kukdong Engineering & Construction. Tower 2 became the first to reach the
world's tallest building at the time. When the structure reached about 72nd floor, tower 2
ran into problems. They discovered the structure was leaning 25 millimetres (0.98 in) off
from vertical. To correct the lean, the next 16 floors were slanted back 20 millimetres
(0.79 in) with specialist surveyors hired to check verticality twice a day until the building's
completion.[8]

Due to the huge cost of importing steel, the towers were constructed on a cheaper radical
design of super high-strength reinforced concrete. High-strength concrete is a material
familiar to Asian contractors and twice as effective as steel in sway reduction; however, it
makes the building twice as heavy on its foundation as a comparable steel building.
Supported by 23-by-23 metre concrete cores and an outer ring of widely spaced super
columns, the towers use a sophisticated structural system that accommodates its slender
profile and provides 560,000 square metres of column-free office space. Below the twin
23
towers is Suria KLCC, a shopping mall, and Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, the home of
the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra.

19. Malaysia Future Tallest Building.

Heig Heig
Flo Year of
Building City Country ht ht Notes
ors Completion
(m) (ft)

Tradewinds
Kuala Malays
Square 608 m 1995 ft 110 2020
Lumpur ia
Tower A

Also
Kuala known as
KL118 Malaysia 682 m 2238 ft 118 2019
Lumpur "Warisan
Merdeka".

20. World tallest building

Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa , known as the Burj Dubai before its inauguration, is a megatall
skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It has a roof height of 828 m (2,717 ft), and
with itsantenna included, it stands a total height of 829.8 m (2,722 ft), making it the tallest
building and the tallest structure in the world.

Construction of the Burj Khalifa began in 2004, with the exterior completed 5 years later in
2009. The primary structure is reinforced concrete. The building was opened in 2010 as
24
part of a new development called Downtown Dubai. It is designed to be the centrepiece of
large-scale, mixed-use development. The decision to build the building is reportedly based
on the government's decision to diversify from an oil-based economy, and for Dubai to gain
international recognition. The building was named in honour of the ruler of Abu Dhabi and
president of the United Arab Emirates, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Abu Dhabi and the
UAE government lent Dubai money to pay its debts. The building broke numerous height
records, including its designation as the tallest tower in the world.

Burj Khalifa was designed by Adrian Smith, then of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM),
whose firm designed the Willis Tower and One World Trade Center. Hyder Consulting was
chosen to be the supervising engineer with NORR Group Consultants International Limited
chosen to supervise the architecture of the project. The design is derived from the Islamic
architecture of the region, such as in the Great Mosque of Samarra. The Y-shaped
tripartite floor geometry is designed to optimize residential and hotel space. A buttressed
central core and wings are used to support the height of the building. Although this design
was derived from Tower Palace III, the Burj Khalifas central core houses all vertical
transportation with the exception of egress stairs within each of the wings. The structure
also features a cladding system which is designed to withstand Dubai's hot summer
temperatures. It contains a total of 57 elevators and 8 escalators.

Jeddah Tower

Jeddah Tower previously known as Kingdom Tower and Mile-High Tower is

a skyscraperunder construction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, at a preliminary cost
of SR4.6 billion (US$1.23 billion). If completed in 2020 as planned, the Jeddah Tower will
reach unprecedented heights becoming the tallest building in the world, as well as the first
structure to reach the one-kilometer-high mark.

It will be the centrepiece and first phase of a SR75 billion (US$20 billion) proposed
development known as Jeddah Economic Citythat will be located along the Red Sea on
the north side of Jeddah. The development of Jeddah Tower seeks to bring great changes
in terms of development and tourism to the city of Jeddah, which is considered the most
liberal city in Saudi Arabia.

Initially planned to be 1.6 km (1 mile) high, the geology of the area proved unsuitable for a
tower of that height. The design, created by American architect Adrian Smith, who also
designed Burj Khalifa, incorporates many unique structural and aesthetic features. The
creator and leader of the project is Saudi Arabian Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, the
wealthiest man in the Middle East,[14] grandson ofIbn Saud, and nephew of the Kings of
Saudi Arabia before him. Al-Waleed is the chairman of Kingdom Holding
Company (KHC) [15]which is a partner in Jeddah Economic Company (JEC), which was
formed in 2009 for the development of Jeddah Tower and City.[15]

Reception of the proposal has been highly polarized; it has received high praise from
some as a culturally significant icon that will symbolize the nation's wealth and power,
25
while others question its socioeconomic motives, and forecast that it will have negative
financial consequences.

As of 31 December 2016, 38 floors have been completed, and the central core containing
elevator shafts and stairwells has reached level 49.

21. Top 7 Types Of Architectural Styles

1. Adirondack Architecture: This specific type of architecture gives a rugged finish to the
structure design. This specific outstanding craftsmanship is actually mainly used for
structures like rustic cabins, boathouses, custom homes, as well as log cabins. The
architectural style introduced by William West Durant dates back to the 1880s that will
spread through the Adirondack Mountains, eventually to throughout the mountainous
areas via the Appalachians as well as the Rocky Mountains.

2. Adam Style: The Adam style is actually named after a renowned British architect
Robert Adam. The design was originated via the Neoclassical design from the eighteenth
century that will revolutionized the industry which has a fresh as well as graceful design.
The design is actually more well-known in England as well as America, most evident
during the structural buildings constructed between 1790s to the 1830s.

3. Art Nouveau Style: Art Nouveau is actually a French term for fresh Style as well as
was introduced as an outcome of the efforts put in by known European artists who held a
revolt against formal as well as classical design. This specific innovative design style was
originated in Pairs from the eighteenth century. The design of the buildings often has
asymmetrical shapes, arches, mosaics, stained glass, Japanese motifs, as well as
decorative surfaces like curving, floral motifs as well as plant-like embellishments.

4. Indian Architecture: Indian architectural designs reflect the diverse culture as well as
religious tradition of the country. This specific style of design has its own uniqueness as
well as significance from the form of structure, design, as well as decorative surfaces.
Ancient Indian Architecture was influenced by the western design form, especially via the
Buddhist stupa to the Colonial Era. The style is actually simple, distinctive, as well as
flowing in design.

5. Islamic Architecture: Islamic architecture mainly includes structure design like the
tombs, mosques, as well as forts. The typical design includes domes, geometric shapes,
towers, as well as Islamic calligraphy.

6. Ottonian Architecture: Ottonian architecture was evolved from the 10th century during
the reign of Emperor Otto. This specific took its inspiration via various existing structure
design mainly via the Carolingian as well as Byzantine architecture.

7. Victorian Architecture: Victorian architecture is actually a style of architecture that will

was popularly used in Britain during the reign of Queen Victoria. This specific was
26
characterized by massive construction, decorative surfaces, simplicity, as well as fluidity.
Balloon framing freed buildings, timber-framed box forms, odd corners, overhangs, as well
as irregular floor plans are some of the characteristic features of the Victorian architecture.

22. Examples of styles

Ancient Roman architecture: Colosseum, an amphitheater built in the 1st century AD,
capable of seating 50,000 spectators.

Persian Islamic architecture from the 7th- to 9th-century period: the Shah Mosque,

Naqsh-i Jahan Square, Iran.

Gothic architecture: St. Vitus Cathedral inPrague, Czech Republic.

Renaissance: Juleum in Helmstedt, Germany - built in Weser Renaissance style

Baroque architecture: Melk Abbey, Austria.

27
Neoclassical architecture: Cathedral of Vilnius in Lithuania.

Historicism: Resort architecture in Binz on Rugia Island, a specific style common

in Germanseaside resort.

Early modern architecture: Bauhaus University in Weimar, Germany - built in 1911 .

Postmodern architecture: Wells Fargo Center in Minneapolis, United States, completed in 1988.

Section B: General Knowledge

1. Name of Malaysia Leader

28
State and Federal Territory Portfolio Name

Sultan Ibrahim Ismail

Johor
Menteri Besar Mohamed Khaled Nordin

Sultan Abdul Halim

Kedah
Menteri Besar Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah

Sultan Muhammad V
Kelantan
Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakob

Minister Adnan Mansor

Kuala Lumpur
Mayor Mhd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz

Minister Adnan Mansor

Labuan
Chief Executive Officer Mohd Nazri Osman

Yang di-Pertua Negeri Mohd Khalil Yakob

Malacca
Chief Minister Idris Haron

Yang di-Pertuan Besar Muhriz Munawir

Negeri Sembilan
Menteri Besar Mohamad Hasan

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 Sultan Ahmad Shah
Pahang
Menteri Besar Adnan Yakob

Yang di-Pertua Negeri Abdul Rahman Abbas

Penang
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng

Sultan Nazrin Shah

Perak
Menteri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir

King Syed Sirajuddin

Perlis
Menteri Besar Azlan Man

Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor

Putrajaya
President Aseh Che Mat

Yang di-Pertua Negeri Juhar Mahiruddin

Sabah
Chief Minister Musa Aman

Yang di-Pertua Negeri Abdul Taib Mahmud

Sarawak
Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg

Sultan Sharafuddin Shah

Selangor
Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali

Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin

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 Menteri Besar Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman

2. Ceremonial Head in each Local University

Vice ceremonial
University Ceremonial head Chief executive
head

Pro-Chancellors:

Dr. Aishah
Chancellor: Sultan Ong Vice-Chancellor: Pro
University of f. Dr. Mohd. Amin
Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah
Malaya Siti Norma Jalaluddin
of Perak
Yaakob

Ramli Ngah
Talib
Pro-Chancellors:

Tunku Puteri
Intan Safinaz of
Kedah
National Chancellor: Tuanku Vice-Chancellor: Pro
University of Muhriz of Negeri Tunku f. Dr. Noor Azlan
Malaysia Sembilan Naquiyuddin of Ghazali
Negeri
Sembilan

Ahmad Sarji
Abdul Hamid
Pro-Chancellors:

Dr. Nayan
Putra Chancellor: Sultan
Arifin Vice-Chancellor: Pro
University of Sharafuddin Idris Shah
f. Dr. Aini Ideris
Malaysia of Selangor Lim Ah Lek

Mohd. Bakke
Salleh
Science Chancellor: Tuanku Pro-Chancellors: Vice-Chancellor: Pro
University of Syed Sirajuddin of Perlis f. Dr. Asma Ismail
Malaysia Razali Ismail

Dr.
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 Vice ceremonial
University Ceremonial head Chief executive
head

Jegathesan
Manikavasagam

Mustafa
Mansur
Pro-Chancellors:

Dr.
Muhammad
University of
Chancellor: Raja Zarith Ridzuan Salleh Vice-Chancellor: Pro
Technology,
Sofiah of Johor f. Ir. Dr. Wahid Omar
Malaysia Dr. Salleh
Mohd. Nor

Dr. Yahya
Awang

3. State and Capital

State Capital

Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur

Federal Territory of Labuan -

Federal Territory of Putrajaya Putrajaya

Johor Johor Bahru

Kedah Alor Setar

Kelantan Kota Bharu

Malacca Malacca Town

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 State Capital

Negeri Sembilan Seremban

Pahang Kuantan

Perak Ipoh

Perlis Kangar

Penang George Town

Sabah Kota Kinabalu

Sarawak Kuching

Selangor Shah Alam

Terengganu Kuala Terengganu

4. What is the historical building in your Hometown?

Menara Jam Sungai Petani

The major of Sungai Petani is a clock tower on the main street, Jalan Ibrahim. The clock
tower was built in 1936. It is 12.1 m in height. It is topped by a dome-shaped and gold
coloured structure. The tower was a present from Lim Lean Teng to George V and Queen
Mary to commemorate the Silver Jubilee (25 anniversary).

Section C: Personal Information

1. What is your greatest Weakness?
I have a hard time letting a project go or sharing a task with others because Im always
convinced that I can do it all on my own and that asking for help will be taken as a sign of
weakness. This has led to me taking on projects that have overwhelmed me and resulted
in me being frustrated and angry. It hasnt been easy learning to let go, but Ive been

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working on trusting others and sharing the responsibilities for projects and as a result,
have been able to really accomplish some incredible things.

2. What is your Strength?

I have an extremely strong work ethic and time management skill. When I'm working on a
project, I don't want just to meet deadlines. Rather, I prefer to complete the project well
ahead of schedule so that I will not panic when facing unpredictable situation.

3. How do see yourself in the next 5 year?

In 5 years time, I see myself as an architect graduate firstly working within a small
company as an assistant architect. This is because I feel that it is important to begin my
career from firstly learning and understanding the different aspects of the architect world to
get a grasp of how I can keep on improving both my weakest and strongest points, I feel
that I can obtain this through a small company.

4. How do handle stress?

Pressure is very important to me. Good pressure, such as having a lot of assignments to
work on, or an upcoming deadline, helps me to stay motivated and productive. Of course,
there are times when too much pressure can lead to stress; however, I am very skilled at
balancing multiple projects and meeting deadlines, which prevents me from feeling
stressed often. For example, I once had three large projects due in the same week, which
was a lot of pressure. However, because I created a schedule that detailed how I would
break down each project into small assignments, I completed all three projects ahead of
time and avoided unnecessary stress.

5. How do you handle failure?

"I have always lived by the maxim that nobody is perfect, so I am relatively comfortable
taking responsibility for my shortcomings. My approach is to figure out what I could change
to avoid similar circumstances in the future.

6. Do you work well with other people?

Working on a number of team projects has allowed me to develop my ability to
communicate clearly with others, and mediate conflicts between team members. For
example, on a recent project, two of my teammates were having trouble coming to an
agreement about how to approach an element of the project. I listened to each of their
concerns, and got everyone to sit down and come up with a solution that would make
everyone happy. Because of my ability to listen to others and mediate conflict, we were
able to finish our project ahead of schedule.

7. How would your describe yourself?

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 I'm a people person. I really enjoy meeting and working with a lot of different
people, and am known for being a great listener and clear communicator, whether
Im engaging with colleagues or employers.
I'm the kind of person who knows how to execute difficult tasks with precision. I pay
attention to all the details of a project. I make sure that every task is just right, but is
also completed in a timely manner.
I'm a creative thinker. I like to explore alternative solutions to problems and have
an open mind about what will work best. My creativity has made me an effective
team leader because I can anticipate problems and innovate solutions.
I'm an extremely organized person who is focused on producing results. While I am
always realistic when setting goals, I consistently develop ways to efficiently
achieve, and often exceed, those goals.
I enjoy solving problems, troubleshooting issues, and coming up with solutions in a
timely manner. I thrive in team settings, and I think my ability to effectively
communicate with others is what drives my ability to solve a variety of problems.

8. Interviewer: Sell me this pen.

For example, you might say "To help me to understand better how my product might help
you, I would love to learn more about how you use a pen during your daily routine. When
do you rely most on a pen during the day? When was the last time you used a pen? What
was satisfying about the experience? What was lacking or frustrating?"

Then you can play off the interviewer's answer to emphasize some features of your pen
that might help them with their activities. For example, if your interviewer mentions taking
notes at meetings as a priority then you might mention in response that your pen has a
fine point and non-smearing ink which would enable her to take legible notes. If your
interviewer was frustrated by pens that didn't write on certain surfaces or easily ran out of
ink, you could emphasize how freely the ink flows from your pen and the large capacity of
ink available.

9. What Makes you Angry?

Anger to me means loss of control. I do not lose control. When I get stressed, I step back,
take a deep breath, thoughtfully think through the situation and then begin to formulate a
plan of action. For instance, when I am given multiple projects to complete in a short
amount of time, rather than feeling frustrated, I come up with a strategy for how to
complete the work in a steady, methodical manner that will not overwhelm me.

10. How do you evaluate Success?

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 "I evaluate success based on not only my work, but the work of my team. In order
for me to be considered successful, the team needs to achieve both our individual
and our team goals."
"To me, success is when I am performing well and satisfied with my position,
knowing that my work is adding value to my team but also to my overall life and the
lives of other people."
For me, success comes from knowing that Ive contributed in a significant way to
finishing a challenging team project within established deadlines and quality
standards.

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