Analyzing and Theorizing Architecture: Part 1 Analyzing Self

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN Centre for Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Architecture) THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE & URBANISM [ARC61303] [ARC2224]

THEORIZING ARCHITECTURE PROJECT PART 2: ANALYSING SELF (Stage1)

NAME ANGELINE KON KEE HOOI

0302068

TUTOR MS. IDA MARLINA MAZLAN

Project 1 Architect Topic Written By Student ID

: Analysing Self : Lum Chong Lin : Childhood : Angeline Kon Kee Hooi : 0302068

Architect Lum Chong Lin was born on 15th December 1946 and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He was one of eight children in his family. Due his growing environment in cities, he was restricted to travel around the cities due to financial problems. Unlike countryside which offers many places available for fishing, he as a city kid did not have the chance to go fishing. Nevertheless, one of his hobbies is fishkeeping so he can observe the fish swimming freely.

In Ar. Lum’s leisure time, he engaged with nature and grows plants such as cactus. I believe through planting, he learn and recognized the importance of nature and took a great deal of attention to intricate details of nature. The hobby made him to be more concerned on environmental issues such as climate during his architectural practice During Ar. Lum’s childhood, he was not exposed to any architectural knowledge but he has keen interest on business. As the fifth son, he had to support his family financial issue as he described his father as a businessman. He started his own trading and business activities during his early years. Besides, the trading business activities help him to develop rapid-decision making ability under stress. Subsequently, the importance of money had led him to establish an architectural firm later on in his life.

Consequently, he has early interest in Mathematics and he took his sister’s advice to study Architecture is it is a recognized field. Mathematics has a prominent role in Architecture such as the application of geometry, proportion or perspectives. In my opinion, Ar. Lum’s remarkable mathematical ability will definitely help him to see patterns in Architecture at different levels and overcome challenges in architectural calculation in his later years of architecture.

Ar. Lum came from Chinese cultural family background. In the early days, his family needs to have many children in order to support the family income. His willingness to work hard and focus on self-improvement made him to have breakthrough in

Architecture. He took some time to understand the meaning of Architecture while understanding his strength and weakness is a step ahead towards improving himself.

He was motivated by his peers, culture and also by parents throughout his early life.

Though he felt struggled at times, he received help from his peers which are more open and friendly to help each other.

Furthermore, Ar. Lum, being a Malaysian was also exposed to culturally diverse community and different living environment. This has encouraged him to study abroad and be independent. He believes Australia is a more advanced country which allows him to learn a lot from the Australians and their living environment. Moreover, he admires Sydney Opera House, designed by Jørn Utzon. In my opinion, his living experience in Australia has influenced him to practice sustainability in his design approach.

He believes Architecture is an art and science to create an environment suitable for people to live and enjoy the place. Architectural trends keep changing and Architect is a very practical artist. Architecture is trial and error and he is certain that we have to keep trying and do our best in everything we do. Based on Ar. Lum’s experience of being exposed to different living environment and diverse cultural background, he knows how to mix along with people to handle task and develop effective communication skills.

Meanwhile, he would make sure every project he does must be able to be affordable, thoughtful and comfortable for living.

Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of how to meet oneself as architect with unique architectural thinking and personal style as there are wide ranges of job scope in Architectural field. His design philosophies are creating simple design, aesthetic appealing, and low cost and harmony with environment. His focuses on energy-saving and healthy environment, and recycling when his is practicing Architecture, showing progress of human being. Therefore, his architectural thinking influences him to be involved in designing more efficient structure, economical in terms of energy saving, usage, durability, low maintenance, and human comfort.

In a nutshell, having all of these experiences led to Ar. Lum’s liberal vision and his personal characteristics which has shaped his focus on sustainability in architecture. Ar. Lum reminds us that we have all the tools we need to pioneer new ways of doing things and pursuing our dreams. Looking at things differently and seeking to make it better to meet a greater need. Teamwork is important but don’t rely too much on other people.

Work on our own to find out what the problem is and how we can improve on it. Keep improving. This suggests that the physical, mental, and emotional development reflected in Ar. Lum’s childhood experience affect his attitude formation and his ways of theorizing architecture.

The Self

Ar. Lum Chong Lin

Born on 15th December 1946

Chinese Culture Family

Free thinker

Sociable

Childhood

5th son of Business man and Housewife

Hobbies

Family

Family Financial Issue

8 siblings

Living Environment

Fish-keeping

Nature

Growing Cactus

Kid in Kuala Lumpur City

Provide support for his family

Inspirers

Frank Lloyd Wright

Interest

Le Corbusier Trading

Mathematics

REFERENCES Personal Communication

Lum, C.L., personal communication, September 12, 2014.

Lum, C.L. (September 18, 2014). Analyzing self. (Kon, Angeline, Sudianto, Anthony, Astriyani Interviews)

Online websites

Lembaga Akitek Malaysia. (2006). LAM information system. Retrieved September 18, 2014 from http://vps.lam.gov.my/lam_ims_member/index.php?module=func&op=dispList&dispCode=2&se archItem=akitek+padu&typeFirm=typeFirm&submit=Search

Sydney Opera House. (2014, February). The Opera House Environmental Sustainability Plan 2014-2016. Retrieved September 22, 2014 from http://d16outft0soac8.cloudfront.net/uploadedFiles/About_Us_(new_nav)/Sydney_Opera_House /Greening_the_House/SOH_ENVIROMENTAL%20SUSTAINABILITY%20PLAN_2013_ONLINE .pdf