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What would you deem to be the sources of inspiration on how you approach voluntarism and service?
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I worked for several years in Australia as an architect and consultant to the State Government of Victoria and later became Team Leader of the Special Housing Branch of the Ministry of Housing and Construction Victoria. Along the way, I obtained my architect’s registration and my Builder’s Licence. Upon returning I was privileged to be employed by the late Dato’ Kington Loo at BEP Akitek. The first observation was the amount of time spent in meetings and the exceptionally long meetings in Malaysia and the lack of productivity. I vowed to always have short meetings!
At that time there was also a great lack of understanding about the environment, heritage and conservation, and there was little interaction between academia and those in practice. These were the days before CPD and knowledge sharing was kind of limited.
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I have always been a man in a hurry. Almost immediately upon return to Malaysia in 1992, I applied to be a Graduate Member and then assisted whenever I was required to. Fay Cheah was nice and kind to introduce me to the workings of PAM and tralian RAIA model I saw a great challenge for the profession to catch up on issues involving heritage and conservation, education, and professional practice.
In Council, I got involved in almost every facet of PAM. Along the way, I was the Chair of the Education, Heritage, Information Technology, Awards and Green Sustainability committees. I drafted the policy for CPD and organised the first CPD program for PAM where we got the late Vincent Powell-Smith to speak on Building Contracts. CPDs were great opportunities not only for continued lifelong learning but also to network and catch up with fellow professionals and others in the building industry. CPD was later made mandatory through LAM.
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Before taking up the PAM Presidency I had attended a meeting with others in the building and property industry. It was disheartening to see and hear the role of the architect diminishing from its respected position as the head of the industry. One property stalwart even boldly stated that he travels widely and just takes photos of whatever style that tickled his fancy and comes back to tell his architects to draw them up. Whatever happened to genius loci, architecture to suit the climate and cultural context? As PAM President I promoted that Good Design Creates Added Value. That it was worthwhile to hire architects as we were artists and designers and much more than just draughtsmen.
I also set about to make PAM a wealthier institute in a world where unfortunately money talks loudly. This gave birth to ARCHIDEX. By coupling it together with DATUM which had started a few years earlier we were able to bring Architects and the building industry together for one large annual event. It started as the PAM Convention and is now the Kuala Lumpur Architectural Festival (KLAF).
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The role of the PAM Presidency is very demanding and becoming increasingly so. Discipline and stamina help. I continue to work long hours balancing meetings and design work usually finishing after 10 pm most days except weekends. I am extremely thankful for my partners, team leaders and staff who backed me up and continue to do so. It is important to have a strong and reliable team, and skilled wingmen to cover our adventures. In addition, I am grateful for my wife, May-Ann and my sons Matthew and Melvyn as it also takes a heavy toll on the family. It is a known fact that our profession is tough on families and relationships so we need to work harder on this.
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ON MENTORSHIP
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Yes of course. There is some form of power and authority bestowed upon established institutions like PAM. The problem is not with the institutions but rather with the calibre and motives of the people who offer to lead. When leaders fail to serve but rather start taking, then institutions start to fail. We should not have leaders who do not want to serve others and who only want positions for status or as a stepping stone to somewhere or something else. PAM needs honest and credible professionals. Strong and respected professional institutes can input to all levels of society without fear or favour on a galaxy of issues from climate change, food security, flooding, shelter, autonomous cars etc.
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Firstly, you must believe in the cause and be passionate about it. Honesty and integrity are crucial so people trust you. And credibility from an array of super skills you have acquired through practice and many adventures will make you a highly sought-after advocate. Drop all the legal jargon, less talk, action, and solutions, please.
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THE PROFESSIONAL MAN
It has often been said that Architecture is the oldest profession in the world. Thus, it is the genesis of professionals. Having lasted so long it would also mean that it has stood the test of time and the pressures of different world systems through the centuries. Challenges have come and gone but the profession has stayed almost intact throughout. Technologies and methodology for delivery have changed but the role of the Architect Professional has remained.
The Architect possesses a special skill and ability that sets him apart and lives by a set of rules and ethics bound by honour and integrity. His special skill that he possesses and his ability to succeed in delivering on his promises affords him the opportunity to offer his services for a fee. It is always the professional and not the amateur, apprentice or pseudo hitman that you call in each time if you need to get the job done properly and correctly.
In many aspects, he is like the classic hero in westerns, war and even kung fu movies. The professional man with a specialised skill that needs to be called in, to save the poor besieged pretty girl, family, town, city and even the world. And because he is the hero that saves the day, he also has a heart of gold and lives by a Godly set of ethics totally different from the greed, lust, jealousy and hatred of the people that he has to sort out. Unfortunately, and as in the movies the professional is a rare and unusual breed. But when he shows up, the action starts and things get sorted out and the world is left a better place when he rides off into the sunset. He reappears only when things start falling apart again or for another “no-one else can do it” project often known as the sequel.
In recent days I have had opportunity to reflect on the differences between the Professional and the Corporate Man. Much of the pressures today on the Professional can be attributed to the rise of bad corporate culture and the bad Corporate Man. The Corporate Man unlike the Corrupt Man who is a clear-cut baddie (the villain in movies) is often like a chameleon and is not as easily identified and tackled. In addition he is often cloaked with goodness, stature and of course some power. The Corrupt Man is often an individual loner whilst the bad Corporate Man has a whole rat race, cronies and Yes-men behind him.
The rise of corporate culture and corporations is putting new pressures on the remnant of Professionals serving the country. They often offer higher salaries, enticing packages, glitzier office environments and the promise that you can get more from doing less. Needless to say, these offers are often far too tempting and have convinced many to hang up their “light sabers” and leave the professional fraternity for a better dream life with more time for family and self. Some even promise that you can hire back your old boss and give the vintage professional a hard time.
There is however often a great clash of cultures and values. It would not be unfair to say that you would lose a lot of freedom as you are now under pay-roll. You can’t come and go as you please. You can’t walk away if you disagree and know that you are right and the road taken leads to Disaster. You can’t start your sentences with “But” anymore. You find yourself nodding even when you disagree. And often you find yourself working and surrounded by a bunch of others who are totally sold out as Corporate Men where politics overtake skills and ability. What place has a moral professional with SWAT skills got in a place where the lowest common denominator is often considered excellence? All the time living under the threat that if you do not toe-the-line you will promptly fall out of favour and be removed. Pretty soon you will feel the “force” leave you. “Light saber” skills will be lost and what was once obviously wrong is now acceptable.
In contrast, the Professional Architect lives almost by faith. When called upon he can do the job without fear or favour. He possesses a specialized skill and lives by a code of ethics cloaked in honour and integrity. He is expected to speak his mind and give his views. When faced with absolute wrong, he can resolutely disagree and walk away.
The Professional has lasted through the centuries. He is still the main character of many fables, stories, comics, movies and blogs. He is still as relevant and as needed today as ever before. The temptation of the corporations will come and surely go away. The Professional will stand the test of time and come out triumphant.
