“Verdant Arcadia” is a community project which began as an entry in the AIS 2024 Bamboo Design Competition, hosted by Future Alam Borneo (FAB) and AIS Society. This competition challenged students of the School of Architecture and Built Environment (SABE) at UCSI University, Malaysia to design a bamboo pavilion that embod- ies the theme “Planet Plus People.”
The winning design, named “Verdant Arcadia,” was constructed at the Rainforest Discovery Centre in Sandakan, Sabah, for the Rhythm of Rimba (ROR) Festival 2024. It was built in September 2024 by eight students from the School of Architecture and Built Environment (SABE), assisted by Ms Noor Fatehah (lecturer) of UCSI University and Guma Sylvester Makajil (Sead Built) and Nur Filzah Jamjam (Arkitrek). This pavilion served as a platform for various activities such as catwalk performances, DJ sets, yoga, and exercise sessions.
The success of Verdant Arcadia led to the development of The Pavilion, a separate project undertaken by 52 Diploma in Architecture and Interior Architecture students as part of their Community Architecture 2024 course. Drawing upon the design of Verdant Arcadia, the students constructed two pavilions at Skate Bowl Langkawi (SB LGK), a vibrant skatepark serving as a community hub in Kampung Bukit Lembu, Langkawi Island.
Built from November 4th to 8th, 2024, these pavilions provide func- tional and recreational spaces for the skatepark community and the public. Like Verdant Arcadia, the pavilion aims to foster teamwork, leadership, and communication skills among stu- dents while making a positive impact on the community. Each pavilion, with a surface area of 21m!, offers a shaded spectator platform for viewing the skate bowl and serves as a meeting point for people to socialize and enjoy the local skate culture.
Beyond their functional purposes, the two projects — adesigned with sustainability in mind — highlight the unique and versatile aspects of bamboo construction, showcasing its ease of use, adaptability, and potential as a sustainable building material. The project, encompassing both Verdant
Arcadia and The Pavilion, aimed to:
- Provide essential functional and recreational spaces for the respective communities.
- Foster teamwork, leadership, and communication skills among the students.
- Provide valuable experience in community work and social impact through design.
Through these projects, the students gain valuable experience in community work and develop their understanding of social impact through design. Both live-built projects exemplify the students’ commitment to being responsible and engaged future architects who contribute to the well-being of the communities they serve. Aligned with SDG 4 (Quality Education), this initiative fosters lifelong learning opportunities by equipping students with practical skills and knowledge. Additionally, it supports SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by promoting inclusive, safe, and sustainable spaces. This effort builds on a series of successful community-driven projects, further demonstrating the students’ dedication to creating meaningful social impact through design.
