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Concluding part: Conversation with Nur Izzati Mohd Khairan "Can Malaysian Architecture Schools be like the AA School?" (Part 2)

Izzati and I continued with the agenda of learning 'theory' in the design studio programs and whether Malaysian graduates can compete globally. We found out that in the Part 2 MArch course, learning theory is an option, and in an elective course, thus some Malaysian architecture educators designed the curriculum assuming that design principles and applying them in the studio work are theoretical enough. 

One point we identified was AA school was run with either Pass or Fail (which Ee Von pointed out in the previous podcast) which made the learning environment more precise and focused. We wish to pursue this and other agendas with the next guests.

© 2021 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
Photo (art work) of "Woman in Red Staircase" (Izzati)

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September Specials: Conversation with Nur Izzati Mohd Khairan "Can Malaysian Architecture Schools be like the AA School?" (Part 1)

Izzati and I discussed further "prickly" issues that need to be addressed from our experiences and what we have learned from previous discussions. Recollecting important points that were not fully addressed, we also reflected on Izzati's experiences as a student and find the common threads of arguments and not-so-common issues. We also debated on our difference of opinion. 

Some points were not really worth pursuing further but just needed to be said and others could assist with framing more questions for the future guests, namely about theory in architecture design studio curriculum and its implementation.

© 2021 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
Photo (art work) of "Woman in Red Staircase" (Izzati)

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Coming soon. The second guest on this topic: "Can Malaysian Architecture Schools be like the AA School?" We will continue to frame and reframe the questions as Izzati is my partner in crime, who forages with me in clubhouse events on architecture education to dig up some nuggets of insights. 

Izzati graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Architecture from International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and did her Master in Architecture at Deakin University, Australia. Izzati practiced with a local firm for 5 years as a graduate architect before branching out on her own. Her passion for sharing and her passion for teaching had her back to her tutoring for Alma-mater and University Malaya after. Besides tutoring, she is actively joining design critiques from private and public universities in Malaysia. 

Izzati believes that the design process is the expression of the dialog between client and designer; a willingness to explore possibilities with the realization that there is never a single answer or solution. 

For her, it is important to have some engagement with the academic world while practicing on her own. She is also an Academic Advisor for Interior Design for Raffles College. Izzati is also an advocate of exposing architecture to children and youth.

© 2021 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
Photo (art work) of "Woman in Red Staircase" (Izzati)

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Interlude: The importance of theory in architecture design studio curriculum.

This is my reaction to what had been said by Cheah Ee Von, wherein conclusion she said “Malaysian Architecture schools can be like the AA school”, and as for me, I have always believed that theory can be better assimilated in the architecture studio curriculum and in particular the Masters of Architecture course. In this podcast episode, I explained how theory is assimilated or not in the MArch course where I teach as I know it. This episode brings to light the teaching and learning practice of a case study of a public Malaysian university, from my point of view.

© 2021 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
Photo (artwork) of "Design Thesis Interim Crit Session, Batch 2018-19, Unit 2, Site-context issues-driven approach"

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Selamat Hari Merdeka Malayans! 
The Malayan 64th Independence Day Special: A Conversation with Cheah Ee Von "Can Malaysian Architecture Schools be like the AA School?" - Part 2

We continue where our conversation delved deeper into the questions asked before, on the importance of "theory", crits, reviews, and juries in the AA School, where Cheah Ee Von went for her Part 2 diploma. The ideas and description of her journey and how she felt provide the setting for us to understand what goes on at the AA School. In future podcasts in September 2021, we look forward to more conversations that would critically inquire about the direction of Malaysian Architecture Education and the different schools of thought. But is that enough? What else can we find out from our guests? Let's finish up with the first (two-part) episode of this 7 series with Ee Von first, which is the crucial setting for more. 

© 2021 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
Photo (artwork) of “The future is hot, Malaysia can take it if we want it.”
Photograph of a random shop in Shoreditch, London (December 2019)

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The Malayan 64th Independence Day Special: A Conversation with Cheah Ee Von "Can Malaysian Architecture Schools be like the AA School?" - Part 1

We start off to know about the AA School unit system at the Diploma (Part 2) level. Ee Von takes us through her motivation and desire to will herself to get to the AA. She then describes what and how she chose the Diploma units and other aspects for us to get an understanding of what the AA is about in order for us to build up the conversation. In the first interview of a series of interviews this month and next with different personalities, we are interviewing a fresh graduate to kick start the series, wherein the second part to be published tomorrow we will deal deeper into the questions asked before on the importance of "theory", crits, reviews, and juries in the AA started in Part 1.

© 2021 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
Photo (artwork) of “The future is hot, Malaysia can take it if we want it.”
Photograph of a random shop in Shoreditch, London (December 2019)

 

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Coming up will be a series of conversations between the host and a number of guests talking on the topic of "Can Malaysian Architecture Schools be like the AA School?" We start next week's chat on the Independence Day Special with Cheah Ee Von, who recently graduated from the AA School in London, and did her first degree at Taylor's University in Malaysia. Do check out this podcast on how this conversation came about from the MSIANARCHIREVIEW Club sessions started on Architecture Education in the past weeks. 

© 2021 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
Photo (art work) of "Waiting on the Terrace" by VB found at https://life.aaschool.ac.uk/?p=17558

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Introduction: Reasons Why Malaysian Architecture Graduates Cannot Compete Globally

Continuing from the discussion in other clubhouse events MSIARCHIREVIEW club (which I attended as an audience member) notably on the 7th and 14th August 2021, the guest speaker said that, “The reason why I suggested that we talk about architecture education is that I want our graduates to be among the best in the world. I want them to be able to compete with the foreign architects because we know the foreign architects are coming into our country and the only way (forward) for us is to compete with them. If we have good graduates that have solid architecture, education background, then we're able to compete (with) anyone in the world, and not only that, we can even go outside of the country to actually export our services. That's why I think we need to relook at our current architecture education system and what can be done to make ours among the best in the world. That's the reason why we have this discussion, and I think time is short.” So I decided to discuss this subject and proposed 5 reasons why.

© 2021 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
Photo (art work) of Eva's master planning project (design thesis batch 2018-19) on the Kerinchi Park Linkage project

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This is a commentary on the design thesis of the MArch course based on what has been discussed in the MSIAARCHIREVIEW Club session at 9 pm on 7th August 2021. At the University of Malaya, we had conducted the design thesis course based on what the students proposed for their own individual self since 2002/2003. (It was B Arch then). The protagonist and others supported this approach in the discussion last night. I will explain the issues affecting the design thesis, the student, in light of architecture education and the problems we are facing, and how this discussion last night shows that the problem is still there.

© 2021 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
Photo (art work) of Eva Liew's poster (design thesis batch 2018-19) on the Kerinchi Park Linkage project

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Fresh from listening in to the Clubhouse event on “Better Design Critiques” with moderators, Petrula, Leon, and Evan of the Design Career Masterclass, we were exposed to ideas on the criteria for design critiques; The designer will 1) Provide the context of whatever (design) he/she is showing (with the objectives and goals / talking to the brief; 2) Explain project goals to the audience (critics) and key messages and; 3) Ascertain the requirements, constraints, and strategies (expected feedback from the critics). The idea is to achieve constructive feedback to happen eventually. Using the formula of > Praise > Observation > Judgment, we will become more aware of the similarities between all design disciplines.  This podcast episode explores what are the similarities and differences. The second part is a commentary on "design thinking" and is that the right word to explain what is happening in the architectural design process, as originally "design thinking" came from IDEO and the product design discipline.

© 2021 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
Photo of (artwork) on a not so critical design of an alternative logo design on Talk Architecture podcast did on Canva in 5 minutes. 

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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!