GROUP PORTRAIT: Architecture students in the midst of a site visit in Old KL for the heritage preservation project.

GROUP PORTRAIT: Architecture students in the midst of a site visit in Old KL for the heritage preservation project.

UNIQUE MASTERPIECE: Architecture students (in the background) admiring their completed installation piece for the Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM) Architecture Workshop 2012.

Rampant growth of modern and sophisticated skyscrapers is gradually diminishing Malaysia's cultural heritage, silently replacing the souls of national identities with brand new ones.

As part of its efforts to capture these historical structures before they disappear, UCSI University's School of Architecture and Built Environment under the Faculty of Engineering, Technology & Built Environment has embarked on a heritage preservation project to document the monuments of our forefathers for future generations.

Approximately twenty students have been active participants in this project since the previous semester, as part of their ongoing assignment.

In essence, conservation of Malaysia's cultural heritage will play a significant role in teaching the nation's rich cultural, political, social and educational values to generations to come.

"The project aims to capture snapshots of buildings with historical flavour in Old Kuala Lumpur – in particular, at Jalan Sultan Ismail," said Ms Chia Lin Lin, a registered architect and one of the School's lecturers spearheading the project.

Our students are required to take photographs, conduct site visits, sketch basic portraits, and analyse and document the various types of old buildings, businesses and facilities there, she elucidated.

This way, she added, students also learn to identify local areas rich in cultural history.

"Many are not aware of what the School is able to offer to society. Therefore, through this project, the School hopes to engage with and illustrate to the local communities that we are actively involved in these types of projects," Chia explained.

According to Head of the School Mr Mohammad Zani Mohammad Zain, the campaign is "geared towards urban renewal, preservation of heritage and conservation."

I believe that when you set out to accomplish something, he said, it should always have the right impact and continuation; at the end of the day, when all of these are merged, you are able to view the fruits of your labour.

In line with this campaign, the School is in the midst of organising an exhibition where the photographs and student sketches of Jalan Sultan Ismail will be showcased to the public.

The simple yet interactive art exhibition will undoubtedly provide students with the right avenue to interact directly with local communities and showcase their creativity to the local audience.

Plans are also afoot to engage students in other community-themed projects, on a smaller scale, that include designing and sketching portraits of Kuala Lumpur locals and buildings, and doing similar activities in small towns around Malaysia.

Therefore, the School's "Experiencing Architecture" elective module enables students to experience diverse cultures as it endorses the concept of organising student trips to various architectural sites in Asia twice a year.

To date, through this module, students have visited places like Indonesia (Bali), Cambodia, Korea, Vietnam (Hanoi) and China (Taiwan and Beijing), with more upcoming trips in the pipeline.

Apart from community projects and educational visits, the School has long heralded competitions and practical learning as ideal platforms for students to constantly explore their potential.

One such example is the recent Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM) Architecture Workshop 2012 held at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in early July this year, where thirty Architecture students from the School were registered as participants.

In line with green architecture, the "Passive Design"-themed workshop was a fusion of a design competition – which focused on parasitic architecture as an addition to the existing urban fabric – and an installation of bamboo materials where weaving techniques were applied to further enhance the designs.

Student Henry Ngo bested other competitors to emerge as the 1^st prize winner with his unconventional concept, where parasitic architecture captures carbon in waste gas and discharges water through factory chimneys in order to reduce pollution at its source and cleanse the surrounding air – thus endorsing a greener landscape.

By tackling concerns surrounding homelessness in urban areas, Arise Wan also bagged the Honorary Mention title and her creation illustrated a living pod that could be stretched out in alleys and function as a temporary shelter for the homeless.

Through engagement in such hands-on projects and activities, it is evident that the School aims to continually cultivate creativity and practicality in its young talents.

To find out more about UCSI University's Architecture programmes, feel free to pay us a visit on our Open Day from 8th to 9th December 2012 (between 9.00am – 6.00pm), contact our counsellors at 03-9101 8880 or email us at www.ucsiuniversity.edu.my/onlineenquiry for any enquiries.

You may also visit the UCSI University website at www.ucsiuniversity.edu.my.