i. Prominent Architect
Ar. Ho Jia Lit
ii. Date of birth
18th October 1954
iii. Date of graduation (Architecture degree)
Bachelor of Architecture (Hons.), Deakin University, Australia (1981)
iv. Date of licensure
v. Member of PAM since
1985 (Graduate Member)
1986 (Corporate Member)
vi. Fellowship year (if applicable)
vii. Practice Name
Arkitek Summaz
viii. Prominent projects (top 10)
- Sabah Zoological and Botanical Park at Lok Kawi
- Mount Kinabalu Golf Course Complex at Kundasang, Ranau
- Administration & Research Centre at Kinabalu Park, Ranau
- University Malaysia Sabah (Hostel)
- Wisma Manikar – 3 ½ Storey Office and 2-Storey Showroom & Office
- Inanam Shopping Mall and Hotel
- Construction of staff houses at Gomantong, Kinabatangan Sukau
- Eco-Tourism development at Bornean Sunbear Conservation Centre
- Eco-Tourism at Bornean Rhinoceros Conservation Centre at Sepilok
- Clubmed Resort at Kuala Penyu
(Currently under construction)
ix. Summary of contribution to PAM
- Lecturer of Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM) Architectural Technician Training Course (1985-1990)
- Principle of PAM Sabah Chapter Architectural Technician Training Course (1987-1990)
- Committee Member PAM Sabah Chapter (2003-2005)
- Vice Chairman of PAM Sabah Chapter (2005-2006)
- Deputy Chairman of PAM Sabah Chapter (2007-2009)
- Chairman PAM Sabah Chapter (2009-2011)
x. Summary of other contributions to society
- Committee Member in Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu [DBKK] ‘High Risk Development Tech. Committee (2007-2009)
- Committee Member in Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu [DBKK] ‘Traffic Technical Sub-Committee (2007-2009)
- Member of Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia [LAM] Practice Committee (2009-2023)
- Lembaga Pusat Perancang Bandar Dan Desa [Central Board, Sabah] (2011-2019)
- Council Member – Majlis Perancang Negeri (2020-2026)
- Board Member – Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (2021-2022)
- Expert Witness (Landmark court cases) and gave talks in CIPAA and public seminars on construction disputes resolution (2018)
xi.Summary of awards
- Awarded the Panglima Jasa Negara (PJN) – Year 2015
- Nominated for Aga Khan Award for Architecture (Administration & Research Centre, Sabah Parks Kundasang) – Year 1995
- Distinction Award (BHP-PAM Colorbond Award) for Mount Kinabalu Golf Club House – Year 1994
xii. List of close affiliates (references)
En. A. Karim Hussein
QUESTIONNAIRES – PROMINENT ARCHITECTS PROFILING PROJECT
1.
How did you come to study architecture?
Due to growing up in a family where my late father was a sub-contractor and small time developer, this helps expose me to the construction industries.
2.
What were your architectural influences?
I had wanted to study Law, but was advised wrongly back then (Borneo High Court recognition) that Australian Law Degree was not acceptable in Malaysia. So, decided to study Architecture because the degree course consisted few years of Law subjects under the Law faculty.
3.
Could you tell us about a project you are proudest of?
Not all Architect’s projects involved buildings for human living. So when a project appears in the horizon e.g. Lok Kawi Wildlife Park (150 acres) was so glad the State Government finally appointed us after many other firms lobbying.
It was a totally new learning curve to study on how to design for our animal world, which was very interesting after personally getting critical kind help/advice from the Director of Singapore and Melbourne Zoo (had also visited KL, Manila, and Hong Kong Zoo).
4.
What would you consider yourself a pioneer of?
Yes, I can consider myself as a pioneer of introducing ECO-TOURISM to Sabah Government since the early 1990’s via advising to open up all our beautiful Sabah Parks Islands and Mt. Kinabalu totally to the public. I had advised our Forestry Department to open up our beautiful “Sepilok and Gomantong Cave forest reserve in Sandakan and Sukau for Eco-Tourism economy to benefit smaller communities in rural locations/towns etc.
5.
What do you consider the greatest changes in the profession from the time you began to the present day?
Back in those days with no computer, internet, mobile phone, etc. as compared to the present day technologies with instance access to unlimited information – is the greatest changes in the profession along the way.
6.
What is your approach to mentorship?
By giving lectures, seminars etc. and always available to advise and assist young Graduates is my approach to mentorship.
7.
What is your advice to young architects starting their journeys today?
Life is a journey – just move on and learn from whatever you encountered along the way and be open to see advice from all PAM members and colleagues.
8.
Where do you see architecture heading in the future?
With modern day technologies, Architecture will just need to adjust along the way in design. However, Architecture is not just about designing, many new legal contracture knowledge needs to be studied to move on as a form of business.
9.
What is your architecture/design manifesto?
10.
Architecture: form and function, which one comes first?
Function.
11.
What is your thought on current Malaysian Architecture?
12.
What do you see in the future of Malaysian Architecture?
Malaysia includes Sabah and Sarawak – with so many local natives architecture in their cultures. We should start looking into creating our local Malaysian Architecture Design.
