Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM), the professional body for Malaysian architects, launched the Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival (KLAF) 2020 at PAM Centre, Kuala Lumpur yesterday amid a great fanfare.
To continue with the festivities, KLAF2020 Beyond Heritage Conservation Launch was officiated by the Deputy Defence Minister, Senator Liew Chin Tong at REXKL, Jalan Sultan, Kuala Lumpur.
Liew said he is happy to see more activities being conducted in the old part of the Kuala Lumpur city centre as it is slowly being forgotten with the new and modern shopping malls built around it becoming the new attractions.
“KLAF2020 is a great effort by PAM in promoting Kuala Lumpur’s heritage buildings as well as getting Malaysians and tourists alike to learn and appreciate what we have,” said Liew. “More activities like this are encouraged as there are a lot historical landmarks here apart from the modern megastructures, and these old buildings are rich in history and should be celebrated,” added Liew.
PAM President Ar. Lillian Tay echoed Liew’s call to host more heritage architecture appreciation programmes in Kuala Lumpur. “Architecture has lost its lustre to many of the younger generation of Malaysians as there has been very little awareness and education on the subject of architecture. PAM will be making more effort to include architecture appreciation programmes as part of its activities especially on heritage architecture, to instil a sense of pride and awareness in the roles they play,” said Tay.
Talks on heritage conservation were conducted by Dr Dalila ElKerdany, Professor of Architecture & Urban Design at Cairo University, Egypt and also PAM’s 2019 Gold Medallist Ar. Laurence Loh Kwong Yu.
The programme also included an Urban Sketching session and contest for the public that aimed at creating a new experience for participants. Conducted by KL Urban Sketchers and KL Sketch Nation, the event was sponsored by Faber-Castell Malaysia that contributed 100 sets of the Pitt Artist Pen sets as well as 10 prizes for the top 10 sketches that garner the most votes.
The Pitt Artist Pen combines all the advantages of an artist’s ink with the benefits of a modern and easy-to-use pen. The PH-neutral, pigmented and fade-resistant drawing ink is ideal for sketches, drawings, fashion design and illustrations on most paper.
In addition, there was a walkabout tour to various buildings of interest such as Chocha, Lantern Hotel, Jao Tim, Chan She Shu Yuen and Mingle Hostel + Cafe in the Petaling Street area, where PAM took the time to educate on the history and interesting stories of the bygone eras.
“We aim to make KLAF an event that will be enjoyed by everyone and not just the architects and industry players. With KLAF, we hope more people, especially the public, will come to appreciate architecture more,” said Dr Tan Loke Mun, the Director of KLAF2020.
At the launch, the public was taken on a tour of PAM Centre’s green building and heard talks on the theme “Beyond Architecture: The Architecture of Celebration”. As part of its sustainability and recycling programme, a carnival sale of pre-loved items was held at APW, Bangsar nearby the PAM Centre over the weekend.
Those who are keen to be part of KLAF2020 can learn more about the events and register their participation via the KLAF app which can be downloaded via Playstore or App Store.
