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Post Script - this is a  summary of the discussion and debate based on the latest interview with Cheah Kok Ming and others such as Lillian and Lok Wooi plus the clubhouse discussion in the last weeks on “broad-based versus specialized education” and “culture of critique”.

This opinion piece by Naziaty, the host of this podcast, suggests the direction of Malaysian schools of architecture, to really question our aims, goals, and intention when it comes to the interest of architecture graduates. 

©️Talk Architecture 2023, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob.  Photo credit ©️ group photo in conjunction with Paradox Design Thesis Studio exhibition in 2019

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Eid Mubarak Special Podcast Episode:
An interview with Cheah Kok Ming, with the host, Naziaty, focusing on "learning in the studios".

"I tend to see design education in a larger way that's slightly beyond defining, giving students an unknown problem...what's important is that when you give them a known problem it is always a known solution. And then some students will short-circuit the whole process of learning by just adopting the known solution" (Cheah Kok Ming)

If NUS architecture students' learning is to set them up for life, what life can one have after graduating? What are the alternative career paths? Has NUS got the right formula justifying their position at number  7 for QS World ranking for Architecture and Built Environment (2023) and number 1 in Asia? 

The interview deep-dived to give the listeners some ideas to ponder. A must for all Malaysian architecture academics to consider in light of the Malaysia-Singapore relationship (why are we always second best or lower in the rankings?) Toward the end, there is a discussion on the supervisor / academic's attributes in running M Arch design studio programs. 

‘Cheah Kok Ming is an Associate Professor at the Department of Architecture and the Assistant Dean at the College of Design & Engineering, National University of Singapore (NUS)'  (full bio in teaser caption)

©️Talk Architecture 2023, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob.  Photo credit ©️ Cheah Kok Ming and his students at NUS

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Soon on this podcast : an interview with Cheah Kok Ming, discussing with the host, Naziaty, on the design thesis and M Arch design studio and how NUS has an approach in architecture education that competes at the international level in terms of getting their graduates to obtain “life skills in learning how to think”. 

‘Kok Ming leads a studio at sophomore and MArch level. As a design educator, he believes in designing the problem statement that has little or no precedent solutions. The aim is to get students to understand the issues and be able to ask the ‘beautiful question’ to direct their ideations and actions. He is an Associate Professor at the Department of Architecture and the Assistant Dean at the College of Design & Engineering, National University of Singapore. A recipient of NUS Outstanding Educator Award and the Honour Roll for Teaching Excellence. He is the Chair of the College’s Teaching Excellence Committee and a mentor to his younger peers. As an architect, he serves in the Board of Architects and the Design Education Advisory Committee of the Singapore Design Council.’

©️Talk Architecture 2023, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob.  Photo credit ©️ Cheah Kok Ming and his students at NUS

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Watch out for a future podcast episode on A Discourse on the Culture of Critique which will feature in the next season. 
Addressing the problem of the lack of professionalism in architecture critique in Malaysian architecture fraternity and how that influences society. There will be a panel discussion on this. 

©️Talk Architecture 2023, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob.  Photo credit ©️ Think City event on “Better Public Housing” - panel of professionals discussion photo

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An Interview with Ar. Lillian Tay, a well known member of the Malaysian architecture fraternity, Director of Veritas Architects, former PAM President in 2019, with the host of this podcast, Naziaty on architecture practice and the “role of Malaysian Architects Institute (PAM - Malay acronym)”, where it is necessary to create a culture of critical thinking amongst architects.

©️Talk Architecture 2023, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob.  Photo credit ©️ Veritas Architects photo of Ar. Lillian Tay with others in an architecture event http://www.theveritasdesigngroup.com/

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An Interview with Ar. Lillian Tay, a well known member of the Malaysian architecture fraternity, Director of Veritas Architects, former PAM President in 2019, with the host Naziaty, talking about Malaysian architecture education and “broad based architecture education”, its importance to be considered and how this approach will assist the future of architecture graduates.  

©️Talk Architecture 2023, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob.  Photo credit ©️ Veritas Architects photo of Ar. Lillian Tay giving crits http://www.theveritasdesigngroup.com/

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A Teaser on the Interview with Ar. Lillian Tay, a well known member of the Malaysian architecture fraternity, Director of Veritas Architects, former PAM President in 2019, with the host of this podcast on architecture education (part 1) and architecture practice (part 2). Watch out for “broad based architecture education” and “role of Malaysian Architects Institute (PAM - Malay acronym)” discussed in the episodes.

©️Talk Architecture 2023, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob.  Photo credit ©️ Veritas Architects photo of Ar. Lillian Tay with others in an architecture event http://www.theveritasdesigngroup.com/

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Who is the architect? Do you identify as an ‘architect’? Is being an architect your identity? And what is that - the identity of an architect? Some reflections that suggests that architects need to face up to AI (artificial intelligence) amongst other things. 

©️Talk Architecture 2023, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob. Photo (artwork): Khoo Boo Siew of Juteras Design Workshop aerial view of the Mosque at Damansara Perdana 

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Part 3: How can we turn these seemingly generic topics generated by Artificial Intelligence into a design thesis project? 

ChatGPT - topic: what is the university curriculum  > “postgraduate architecture design thesis. “ 

Part 1 & 2, dealt with topics 1, 2, 3, 4, 9 & 10
Part 3 deals with: 

5. Strategies for Revitalizing Aging Infrastructure in Rural Areas
6. Examining the Relationship Between Landscape and Architecture in Urban Spaces
7. Exploring the Role of Cultural Identity in the Design of Public Spaces
8. Investigating the Impact of Green Building Design on Energy Efficiency

©️Talk Architecture 2023, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob. Photo (artwork): Design Thesis Interim  Crit presentation on PJ Old Town Vertical Neighborhood Shared Space in 2019-2020 by Joe Yee

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In an interview, the guest who is Gary Yeow, together with Naziaty, resulted in two podcasters discussing alternative methodologies in architecture. More of a conversation dedicated to the role of the Malaysian Architects Association (Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia - PAM) and how open engagements such as discourse and debate are needed to address all other issues and sentiments surfacing elsewhere in informal events, besides PAM's partiality to professional practice and less debatable topics. Other matters in this episode include how younger architects like Gary, view architecture practice and negotiating life after graduation.

Gary Yeow is co-founder of projectxyz – a design collective engaged in wide-ranging projects from competitions to furniture and installation design, always rooted in user experience and architecture. Gary also hosts the xyzpodcast, and is exploring writing, event, and curation with a keen interest in connecting the linkage between architectural education and practice.
http://www.projectxyz7.wixsite.com/projects

©️Talk Architecture 2023, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob.  Photo credit ©️ Gary Yeow's sketch for the final year project in Masters @ Strathclyde

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Do subscribe for premium content and special features which will help to support and sustain Talk Architecture podcast on a more in-depth explanation on design thesis and processes. These special commentaries and ‘how to’ explanations are valuable insights and knowledge not found elsewhere!