A platform for design and architecture from Borneo
Architecture: University of Technology Sarawak Club (AUTS) collaborated with Hornland Dance Theatre for the 12th Sibu International Dance Festival (SIDF), creating art installations at Sibu Rejang Esplanade. Inspired by nature, wind, natural light and Borneo cultural motifs, the installations included decorated iron arches, illuminated lightboxes, mini swans and student dance-inspired artworks. Through workshops and teamwork, students successfully completed and installed the artworks ahead of the festival. The project celebrated cultural diversity while highlighting opportunities for better coordination and preparation in future collaborations.
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The proposed Serian Government Office Complex (GOC) serves as a centralised hub for key administrative departments within the newly established Serian Division. Inspired by the Bidayuh Longhouse and Baruk, the design reflects community, unity, and shared purpose. Multiple building blocks are arranged in a clustered layout, connected by curved corridors around a landscaped courtyard. At its heart, a Baruk-inspired structure functions as a social and civic focal point, housing a multi-purpose hall and exhibition space for public engagement.
Ting Ing Chiew’s architectural style was strongly shaped by Sarawak’s tropical climate and local traditions. He emphasized natural ventilation, shading, deep eaves, elevated structures and landscaped surroundings to create comfortable buildings suited to the region. Influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright and South American architecture, he adapted modern ideas to local conditions. His work also contributed to the growing recognition of architects’ role in improving Sarawak’s residential, commercial and urban environments.
Nippon Paint is used in the SAMA Square project in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur, enhancing its community-focused design. The project features Nippon Paint® Weatherbond (Quartz) and Nippon Paint® 9000 Gloss Finish, offering long-lasting protection and vibrant finishes that keep the spaces visually appealing and resilient.
The Moon Pavilion, a temporary installation at Palmerium Park for World Architecture Day 2022, aims to inspire creativity and celebrate local traditions. Made from bamboo, it blends architecture, art, and community engagement, offering a platform for cultural events and fostering sustainable urban development.
Designed by MinWee Architects, the former 1980s car showroom was transformed into a new office for a logistics company with minimal demolition. Most existing structures were retained, while new additions—mainly lightweight steel—were introduced for speed and cost efficiency. A steel mezzanine creates an open-plan office, and the old dealership rooms now house back-of-house functions. A new single-storey, container-inspired conference block fronts the site. Completed in nine months, the project relied on on-site decision-making and close client involvement, serving as valuable training for the young team.
Architecture: University of Technology Sarawak Club (AUTS) collaborated with Hornland Dance Theatre for the 12th Sibu International Dance Festival (SIDF), creating art installations at Sibu Rejang Esplanade. Inspired by nature, wind, natural light and Borneo cultural motifs, the installations included decorated iron arches, illuminated lightboxes, mini swans and student dance-inspired artworks. Through workshops and teamwork, students successfully completed and installed the artworks ahead of the festival. The project celebrated cultural diversity while highlighting opportunities for better coordination and preparation in future collaborations.
Returning to my middle school after twenty years, I came back not as a student but as an architect. What began as casual conversations evolved into small proposals—refurbishing spaces and improving circulation. These modest interventions reflect a thoughtful approach, where sensitively introducing new elements supports and reinvigorates the existing. Good architecture does not need to be flamboyant to work well. In schools, it becomes the quiet backdrop where everyday life unfolds and new memories are formed.
IM-EUROSHINGLE™, IM-SEAM™, IM-EUROPANEL™, ALUMINIUM PANELS, and IMETAL FACADE were used for the dome, roof, façade, and ceiling of Masjid Al-Madinah Al-Husna respectively. These high-performance materials, with finishes like COLOURCOIL® PVF2 and selected colour coating, offer durability, corrosion resistance, sleek designs, and easy maintenance.
Chin Daw Methodist Church’s new annex in Kuching expands the church’s classrooms, worship spaces, and recreational facilities while establishing a contemporary landmark at a prominent city intersection. Shaped by its triangular site, the building rises above an open, shaded ground plane that supports parking and communal gatherings. Its reinforced concrete fins pay homage to those of the original worship hall, creating a visual dialogue between old and new while providing solar protection and a distinctive architectural identity.