Talk Architecture

Send us Fan Mail

The first episode in a new series kicking off the ideas on architecture practice that is to do with 'Design with Empathy for the Aging Population', we explore some key words and themes to understand what are the theories and concerns of the 'functionalists' in design and architecture in the 21st Century. This opinion is also an attempt to bring into the discussion, on how to build the design manifesto or design approach, reviving the functionalist previous ideas in a digital age. We refer to David M. Griffin's master of architecture thesis at Rice University, in 1966 on "The study of functionalist theorists in architecture", an interesting time, where it was in the middle of post modernism ideas and writings and offshoots of functionalist theories such as the Dutch Structuralists such as Van Eyck and Hertzberger. We hope that the design manifesto which may or may not be specific to functionalist theories from the 1960s, which we will build and present later in the year, be of interest to those interested in architecture education and practice.

© 2021 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
Photo (Aldo Van Eyck's drawing) found in : http://archinters.blogspot.com/2014/11/case-study-amsterdam-orphanage-aldo-van.html

Support the show

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! 

Send us Fan Mail

It's a celebration! I present the 1st Anniversary Short Recap on Talk Architecture looking back and what's in store for the next year. Thank you all for your support! 

© 2021 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
Photo (art work) of the achievements so far for Talk Architecture, 2771 downloads and 83 episodes.

Support the show

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! 

Send us Fan Mail

This episode signifies the end of season 4 and pronounces the 1st anniversary of Talk Architecture podcast. The special occasion is graced by Huda Nejim Al-Asedi, interviewed in more depth on the Creative Approach in Education (Part 2). Much more than 'communication', it is important for the educator to connect with the student, by "holding the space for their thoughts", and the keyword for educators in this day and age is to "listen", when facilitating the learning and making the interaction more engaging. Interesting insights and stories for us to hear from a young educator such as Huda, who is dedicated to her advocacy. 

Huda is an educator and creative entrepreneur. Formally trained as an architect from the University of Malaya and as a teacher from the Teach For Malaysia programme, she has been actively working with various teams for the community, in both rural or urban contexts. She believes in a multidisciplinary approach in designing creative lesson plans and programs for the youth. Her passion is in writing, illustration and visual storytelling.

© 2021 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
Photo (art work) by  Huda Nejim Al-Asedi

Support the show

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! 

Send us Fan Mail

This is a short piece (interlude) to tease further discussion on the topics and themes of "multi-generational living", "lifetime homes" and the like, coming from many clubhouse app sessions that was on similar themes and the latest debate of 'home care' versus 'residential home'. Architects and designers could be interested in this topics, as it's an interesting niche to 'design with empathy' and universal design ideas to be implemented in retrofitting projects or home modifications. Naziaty Mohd Yaacob will be talking more on this in the future (as an extension to architecture education and practice) to entice young graduates and designers to be involved in this niche area, taking into consideration this is also a sustainability issue particularly on social justice and equalities for the ageing population.

© 2021 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
Photo (art work) of the showroom for Tuai Residences by Suntrack Development SB with a disabled wheelchair user.

Support the show

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! 

Send us Fan Mail

Coming up to the 1st year anniversary of the Talk Architecture podcast, we revisited the Diagram of the architecture design process that was produced right after the COVID-19 pandemic started last year and the lockdown situation that may have affected the usual studio-based learning programs. Some interesting insights were gained and I would assert that there are Pros rather than Cons to the situation, where a more precise desk crit / learning from the peers process can be had for most of the students together rather than few. Students can decide to "tune in" or "tune off" with closer proximity and accessibility to the feedback given by the tutors. And that there were many challenges even before the lockdown where everyone could be present at the studio but have difficulty to listen in crits which others are having. 

© 2021 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
Photo (art work) of "the design process diagram for all architecture design studios at Universiti of Malaya"  by Naziaty Mohd Yaacob

Support the show

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! 

Send us Fan Mail

Recently I was given the opportunity  to teach  Universal Design to architecture students and crit their studio project by asking the students to think  more of functionality, designing in detail and considering universal design as an approach to their design. One set of students in the masters of architecture course, for a housing project and another set of students in the second year doing a few projects with the user/s in mind. There is another smaller group of masters of architecture students that is taking the elective course on universal design. I am sharing my observation and opinion on this discussion which is first introduced here for the new season of this podcast. Thank you for listening.

© 2021 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
Photo (art work) of 'scribbles on the whiteboard' by Naziaty Mohd Yaacob

Support the show

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! 

Send us Fan Mail

The first interview with Huda Nejim Al-Asedi, an advocate of a creative approach to education, rather than art education per se, reveals her experience teaching under-privileged secondary school children in rural Sarawak in Borneo, and how a different perspective was needed to peak the curiosity of these children. In essence, the idea of accessibility to knowledge could happen when you create a situation where it's hands-on and practical, rather than the normal approach. 

Huda is an educator and creative entrepreneur. Formally trained as an architect from the University of Malaya and as a teacher from the Teach For Malaysia programme, she has been actively working with various teams for the community, in both rural or urban contexts. She believes in a multidisciplinary approach in designing creative lesson plans and programs for the youth. Her passion is in writing, illustration and visual storytelling.

© 2021 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
Photo (art work) by  Huda Nejim Al-Asedi

Support the show

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! 

Send us Fan Mail

Teaser of an upcoming interview with Huda Nejim Al-Asedi, who has the finger on the pulse of "art education", trained as an architect, she has something to say about the "gaps in knowledge" and from her experience as a teacher with a perspective on the global situation, what are the factors to bridge that gap. Huda stressed that she is an advocate of a creative approach to education, rather than art education per se.

Huda is an educator and creative entrepreneur. Formally trained as an architect from the University of Malaya and as a teacher from the Teach For Malaysia programme, she has been actively working with various teams for the community, in both rural or urban contexts. She believes in a multidisciplinary approach in designing creative lesson plans and programs for the youth. Her passion is in writing, illustration and visual storytelling.

© 2021 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
Photo (art work) by  Huda Nejim Al-Asedi

Support the show

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! 

Send us Fan Mail

Architects are Artists and are essentially purveyors of good taste:  The concluding interview with Noor Mahnun Mohamed (Part 2)

This is our last podcast where we interview our guests on the topic of "Architects are Artists", going back to the first podcast, as far back as October 2020. We wanted to know the different perspectives, and finally, now, Noor Mahnun certainly gave us a lot to think about in this concluding episode by stating a crucial point, that architects are ''purveyors of good taste". Since the architect is in the 'business of architecture', selling their products, surely it must be done in good taste. At the very least, the architect must be discerning and be critical about what is good architecture and what is bad architecture. Anum, as she is fondly known as, talked at length about the foundation course that she conducted at University of Malaya, and how important the architecture student is able to use their sense and sensibilities, which is also the foundation of being an artist. Listen in to know more!

© 2021 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
Photo (art work) by  Noor Mahnun, 'Aureolin’ for Part 2 - 2021, watercolour on paper, 20 x 20 cm

Support the show

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! 

Send us Fan Mail

Are architects also artists? An interview with Noor Mahnun Mohamed (Part 1)

The artist, Noor Mahnun recounted her story from Kelantan, Malaysia to Germany, tracking back to what led her to be an artist. Anum, as she is fondly known, told us how she found herself pursuing 'Fine Arts' although she started as an architect. On reflection, she did not know it then, but her childhood, through her parents' and uncle's influences, her teacher's mediation and circumstances later in her young adult life, led her to where she is now. Listen here to the first part (of a two part episodes) of Anum's story which leads to the concluding interview on her opinion on "Architects are Artists". Yes? No? Let's find out.

Quote on Anum's bio: As a painter she has had several solo and group exhibitions, locally and abroad. She is now delving into botanical illustrations of indigenous plants in relating to the traditional arts and culture of her home state Kelantan, Malaysia and currently is a beneficiary of CENDANA Visual Arts Funding programme ‘Inspire’ with a project titled ‘Botanical Illustrations: Malay Poisons and Charm Cures (J.D. Gimlette)’. This project will be launched at Rumah Lukis in June 2021 with an exhibition titled ‘Racun & Penawar’. Check that out too!

© 2021 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
Photo (art work) by  Noor Mahnun, ’Sky Blue’ for Part 1 - 2021, watercolour on paper, 20 x 20 cm

Support the show

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!