C2-Space technology

Almaz-Graduan 2006
5/23/06
2:28 PM
Page 1
CHAPTER
Architects belong to the rare breed of professionals
who combine technical knowledge with aesthetic flair,
writes Zawiyah O mar
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The company and the industry
Almaz Architect was established on July 1, 1994,
and is located in Desa Sri Hartamas,
Kuala Lumpur.The mediumsized firm offers
architectural
consultancy
services,
concentrating
mainly on
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Almaz Salma Abdul Rahim
GRADUAN 2006
technical expertise are working seamlessly
together to inspire the eye-catching buildings
and houses we see around us.
Architecture is basically a mix of art and
science, one of the few professions in which
excellence in both subjects is required, because
the vision for a building can only become
reality with a strong foundation in mathematics,
physics and design.
Almaz Salma Abdul Rahim, who owns
Almaz Architect, is testimony to this marriage
of art and science.
She graduated with a bachelor of science
(Hons) (ARCH) in 1980 and a diploma in
architecture in 1984, both from the Bartlett
School of Architecture & Planning, University
College of London, University of London.
She has been a member of Lembaga Akitek
Malaysia since 1990 and is a corporate member
of Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia. She has also been
a corporate member of the Royal Institute of
British Architects since 1996.
Her ten-year professional career includes four
years as an Associate of BEP Akitek Sdn Bhd and
Director of BEP Interiors and Graphics. In mid
1994, she decided to venture out on her own and
is currently the Principal of Almaz Architect.
Almaz has seen her work published in
Majalah Arkitek, Malaysian Tatler, Building Review
Journal, Anjung Seri, Impiana, Nona and Concept,
to name just a few. She has also spoken about
her impressive portfolio of works on TV3’s
‘Wanita Hari Ini’ and RTM1’s ‘Gaya Kerjaya’.
Almaz Architect’s projects dot the
landscape of the Klang Valley.They include
Wisma Tani in Putrajaya, bungalows and semidetached houses in Taman Tun Dr Ismail Hills
and Mutiara Damansara, and up-market
residences in Bukit Damansara, Tropicana Golf
and Country Resort, Sierramas and Bukit Tunku.
As evident from the list above, Almaz Architect’s
forte is residential homes.
Arc h i te c t u re
L
ook about you and you will
notice bewildering styles of
architecture, each catering to a
different need and using a variety
of building techniques. Artistic flair and
career opportunities
A marriage of skills
career opportunities
CHAPTER
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residential homes. Its staff of 16 comprises five
architects, six draughtsmen and five administrative
workers.The staff are close-knit and the atmosphere
is more that of a family.Multi-tasking is expected
and has become the norm.
Almaz explains that contrary to what most
people think, designing and building a residential
home can be more complex than tackling a
high-rise building or office block.This is because
client requirements are very detailed and varied,
and may include the integration of flexible power
lines, internet connections, solar and electrical
systems.
Like most businesses, the local and global
economy has a direct impact on the industry.
The economic recessions of the 1980’s and 1990’s
affected everyone involved in the building
industry – architects, developers, contractors
and suppliers.
The industry is currently going through
major changes, foremost of which is the
proposed ‘Build First, Sell Later’ concept which
will have a direct financial impact on developers
because it may affect cashflows.
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GRADUAN 2006
Steps new graduates need to take
Graduates with basic degrees are required to
complete professional papers in order to be
qualified under the governing board, Lembaga
Akitek Malaysia (LAM). Graduates from universities
accredited to LAM are exempted from Part I or II
or both papers.
The professional papers consist of three
parts:
Part I: First degree.
Part II: Post-graduate diploma.
Part III: Taken after at least two years’
working experience.
For Part III, a log book will be maintained
during the first two years of working
experience, followed by oral and written
examinations.
For those planning to venture out on
their own, it is advisable to have completed
a building or project first. Almaz says that
architects should also be experienced in
different aspects of the industry before setting
up their own practice.These would include
commercial buildings, houses, apartments and
even interior designing. Interior designing
involves looking into the finer details of a
building to complements the aesthetics of the
architectural structure.
Qualities of a graduate
Architectural qualifications aside, Almaz
says what she looks for in a graduate applying
for a job is good communication skills, both
spoken and written, particularly in English.
This is because you are required to clearly
understand your client’s needs and translate
them into designs. She laments that many
graduates make common grammatical errors
and don’t even include cover letters indicating
the position applied for.
You must also have patience when dealing
with clients as you will be relating to them at
the level of a layman, another reason why good
communication skills are vital.
Interpersonal skills, humility and a willingness
to learn are also important personal qualities
because an architect has to deal with a broad
spectrum of people – clients, consultants,
contractors, suppliers and local authorities.
Almaz finds that foreign graduates
have better communication skills, are more
Interpersonal skills, humility and a willingness to learn are also
important personal qualities because an architect has to deal with a
broad spectrum of people – clients, consultants, contractors, suppliers
and local authorities.
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Different types
“Graduates can even apply
their skills in website and
jewellery design,
landscaping and interior
architecture.”
Outside opportunities
Asked if she has any advice for architecture
graduates, Almaz has this to say:“Use your
creativity to complement your skills. Do not be
choosy when seeking employment.There are
direct and indirect ways of putting your skills
and qualification to use.”
She gave various examples of where
graduates can apply their architectural skills,
citing website and jewellery design, landscaping
and interior architecture. Architecture students
may also want to specialise in building
shopping complexes, hypermarkets or even
venture into architectural journalism.The
options, she says, are vast.
GRADUAN 2006
Graduates don’t necessarily have to be absorbed
by architecture firms. In fact, it is good for the
industry if architects are employed by developers.
Within the profession itself, there are
different functions undertaken by architects.
Project architects are responsible for an
entire project, from its concept stage to
completion. They are responsible for the
career opportunities
Fresh architecture graduates can expect a
salary of about RM2,200 per month. At Almaz
Architect, on-the-job training through the
‘buddy system’ is given for the first year.You
will be exposed to short-term projects, like the
building of houses.You will attend meetings
with a senior architect and be trained to
eventually take over the whole process.
The learning process is continuous as you
attend meetings, trouble-shoot, and deal with
consultants, contractors and local authorities.
External training is required under the
Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
programme conducted by Pertubuhan
Akitek Malaysia (PAM), which holds seminars
once a fortnight.
Self-development is also encouraged
within the fraternity. An example would be
obtaining regular updates from the Timber
Board on timber grading, species and sizes. Site
visits, seminars by suppliers and exhibitions on
new technologies are all part of an architect’s
training and development.
2
Continuous learning process
design, drawings, on-site supervision and
problem-solving until the project is finished.
Resident architects are usually not
permanent staff and are mainly responsible
for on-site supervision. They record the
minutes during project meetings and give
instructions to contractors.
Design architects are mainly involved in
design work within the confines of the office.
They are usually at the junior level and are
employed by bigger architectural firms.
Architects with five to ten years’ experience
are considered matured.
CHAPTER
self-confident and motivated, have greater
initiative and require less supervision than
fresh local graduates. Mature local graduates,
she says, have also acquired the requisite
communication skills and ability to deal with
developers and contractors.
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