FNBE0414 ICI Project 2

1. A Date
with An
ArchitectEditor’s notes:
For this edition, Architecture Asia© presents you a
simple conversation with a Malaysian architect with
years of experience in the field. See what he has to
say about Architecture now and then. SEE MORE >>
Container city has become a new trend. Shipping
containers are reused and linked to provide high
strength, prefabricated steel modules that can be
combined to create a wide variety of building
shapes and can be adapted to suit most planning or
end user needs.
Architect profile
Ar. Daniel Chang
26 years in field
Ar. Daniel Chang first
stepped into the field of
Architecture in year 1982
after graduating from
Plymouth Polytechnic,
United Kingdom. Within 5
years, he gained his title
and then realized his dream
by starting his own
architectural firm,
Wongreka Arkitek
(Currently known as Arkitek
WAC). The firm accepts
projects ranging from
Residential Homes to
Commercial Buildings.
“ Architecture is Space. ”
j

2. What is architecture and architect?
Architecture is the art and science of
designing building and non building
structures. It is a style of design and method
of construction of buildings and other
physical structures.
An architect is a person who plans, designs,
and oversees the construction of buildings.
They provide services in connection with the
design and construction of buildings and the
space within the site surrounding the
buildings. Professionally, they take the role as
a project leader. An architect's decisions
affect public safety, and thus an architect
must undergo specialized training consisting
of advanced education and a practicum (or
internship) for practical experience to earn a
license to practice architecture.
What does it take to be a licensed
architect?
Time and Exposure
To be a licensed architect, you have to invest
time and effort. After graduating Architecture
School, you have to spend at least 2 years
working in an architectural firm to gain
working experience before taking the Part III
exam. “ Do what you enjoy,
enjoy what you do. ”
In these 2 years, graduates should grasp
every opportunity to learn. Learning
opportunities are everywhere including
client meetings and seminars. Be exposed
to the architectural world to broaden your
horizon.
How did the architecture world grew
through the years?
From manual drawings to computer
drawings, workloads had been lessening.
Back then, it was hard for clients to
visualize the whole building and therefore
there’s a lot of time wasted in imagining
and editing the plans. Now there are
various software such as AutoCAD that can
create animations close to reality. Clients
can have a “life experience” through the
software.
Conventional
architectural
drawing 
 AutoCAD
Drawing
Have you ever bumped into any
difficulties when presenting your idea to
your clients?
Not if I’ve already worked with them. First
time clients are always difficult because
they do not have the confidence since it is
the first time working together. Normally
they’ll have different mindsets and ideas
that would cause minor arguments.
Frequent clients are easier to handle as they
already have confidence through your
previous works and designs.
What is the current issue in architecture?
Space.
Land is being wastefully used in some areas
especially high income countries. They tend
to waste space by building structures that
are more visual than functional. Hence,
space should be planned efficiently around
the city to prevent wastage of space and to
meet the high demand of the citizens.
Space Management Case Study 1:
Trinity Buoy Wharf
In 1996, Urban Space Management won a
competition to develop the historic but derelict
Trinity Buoy Wharf into a centre for the arts and
creative industries.
USM’s evolutionary approach was different from
the standard model, starting immediately with
low cost, low risk activity and growing organically
from day one. Step by step a phased
programme re-invested any surplus into arts
activity and new buildings. By responding to
demand and opportunity it is now a thriving
community of over 500 people occupying 90,000
square feet of space, of which 30,000 is newly
developed using USM’s innovative Container City
system.
To a rich mix of workshops, studios, offices,
live/work accommodation, café and
performance and exhibition spaces has been
added London’s longest pier, The Faraday
School, and tenants ranging from English
National Opera, University of East London, The
Prince’s Drawing School and Thames Clippers to
independent fine artists, musicians, fashion
designers and photographers.

3. ARCHITECTURE
ASIA©
FNBE 0414
A Date with
The
Professional
See what Ar. Daniel
Chang has to say
about the profession.
Container
City™
The recycled
building.
Taylor’sUniversitySchoolofArchitecture,BuildingandDesign
Container City™
Fast, Innovative, and Highly Versatile System.
This modular technology enables
construction time to be reduced by up
to half those of traditional building
techniques while minimalising on site
disruption and remaining significantly
more environmentally friendly.
To date Urban Space Management Ltd
has successfully used the Container
City™ system to create classrooms,
office space, sports halls, nurseries,
community centers, artist studios, retail
space, live / work space, sound
recording studios and a General
Practice.
This low cost approach to building has
been commended by both Government
and Private Sectors for its design and
the economical way in which it recycles
industrial products.
Container City™ and Sustainability
•The structure of the project is
100% recycled material. Thereby
capturing the maximum amount of
embodied energy and existing
material.
• On site disturbance, waste, and
noise pollution is reduced by the
speedy delivery of prefabricated
units.
•The concrete substructure required
is reduced as the building system is
lightweight and inherently rigid.
Long term sustainability is ensured by the
inherent flexibility of the system.
As it is modular it can be added to or
reorganized during its life.
Should the land be required for other use
the structure can be unbolted and reused
on another site.
“ Its like LEGO® ”