Building on ideas

Committee members and helpers of the Cross-ed exhibition. Front row seated are Surayyn (third from left) and Charlene (second from right). Behind Charlene is Carmen (with spectacles ).

TEAM spirit helped some 65 students of Taylor’s University to successfully organise Cross-ed // Taylor’s Architecture Exhibition 2016, an exhibition for their final year projects in Kuala Lumpur recently.

A collaborative effort by the students of Taylor’s University School of Architecture, Building and Design, the exhibition set out to show what the upcoming architects had to offer.

They included a presentation of views, values and various architectural styles.

The final year architecture students had one semester or about four months to complete their projects.

They formed groups to work on their respective projects featuring different sites and design approaches.

For site analysis, the students had to come up with their proposals on suitable building designs.

The ideas had to be translated into graphic renderings, architectural drawings, conceptual models and explanatory diagrams.

Some of the sites covered were Kuala Sepetang (Perak), Jalan Alor, Jalan Pudu and Chow Kit (Kuala Lumpur), Petaling Jaya (Selangor) and Johor Baru (Johor).

The students also worked on design concepts involving a blind centre, a library with integrated sports facilities and a music school which also offered medical services.

The students who completed their three-year degree courses last December, will receive their scrolls at the convocation cermony on May 28.

Heritage landmark: The students built an impressive model of the Yeap Chor Ee Building in George Town, Penang.

Some are waiting to pursue their Master’s degree while others are already looking for jobs.

Architecture graduate Lim Fou Sing, 22, is lucky that he has a freelance job.

The organising chairperson of Cross-ed said he had earlier contemplated taking up a civil engineering course but ended up taking architecture.

“Architecture has a love-hate effect on me. I hate that it consumes so much of my time which means I don’t see much of my family.

“But I also love how architecture is able to excite my interest, unite those with a passion for it and change how people live their lives,” he said.

For the exhibition, Lim, who was group leader, worked with his coursemates on the theme “humanitarian initiative”. They then came up with the design concept for a library cum sports centre.

Charlene Chan, 22, said that it was “hectic” being an architecture student.

“Days and nights are blurred by the countless projects we’re rushing for. Sometimes, we can go without sleep for two full days.

“It’s very tiring but after everything, we stand proud of our work and know it’s worth it!”

Special shots: Photo zone is creatively decked out with photographs of the students and each one holds memories for them.

Architecture has moulded her to be what she is today.

“My passion for it has never dimmed since the first day I started,” said Chan, who was sponsorship director of the exhibition.

She has plans to work for an architect firm before pursuing her master’s degree in the field.

For Chan’s group project, the students visited Kuala Sepetang, a small coastal fishing village near Taiping, Perak.

After researching the location, the group came up with proposals on the best project that would benefit the community – a fisheries research centre and community centre.

Surayyn Selvan, 21, thought architecture was the right career choice since he was good at drawing.

“After my degree programme, I realised that architecture is much more than just drawing.

It is about humanity – the people and the community,” said Surayyn, who hopes to get a job soon.

His favourite part of the exhibition was the preparation. The students had transformed the display areas by putting together the PVC pipes and painting them.

“It was tiring but all of us had such a great time,” said Surayyn, the programme director of Cross-ed.

He said it was an unforgettable experience and a good learning process. He was also pleased to be able “to bring the exhibition to life!”

Together with coursemate Carmen Leong, they had to plan activities for each day of the three-day exhibition including the “performance night”.

He said: “Team spirit is a must for the success of the exhibition. Without the support of every committee member, we wouldn’t have been able to pull it off.

“We challenged ourselves and worked together for better outcomes,” added Surayyn.