PAM Convention 2009

I had the privilege to join my colleagues to attend the PAM (Architects Association of Malaysia) Convention this year at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center.

We left Kuching on Monday well armed against the flu virus, i hope.


At least we had a bit of a laugh wearing the masks...


The first day of the convention featured two different forums : The Kuala Lumpur Design Forum (KLDF) and the Green Building Forum.

The Green Building Forum encourages architects and the construction industry in general to build energy efficient and environmentally-friendly buildings.


Dr. Wong Nyuk Hien from the National University of Singapore presented an interesting paper which measured surrounding temperatures alongside the number of trees around the buildings' periphery.


Being typical Malaysians, we all care about food, and if you're not quick enough, they're gone before you even reach the table.


Tony Chan, a certified planner from Arup China examined the practise of planning and environmentally sustainable city.


Serina Hijjas is an inaugural member of the Green Building Index Accreditation Panel.


At the end of the forum, the speakers congregate to discuss and respond to questions from the audience.


During the course of the conference, the media team were in their own world recording the talks.


It's a pity there wasn't any food for lunch, so we had to satisfy ourselves with Burger King.

At least for your money's worth, you get a decent buffet lunch on the second and third days of the conference. Unfortunately, I was just so full that I could only mouth down one plate instead of my usual buffet endeavours.


Its amazing how orang puteh can be really casual even at work. Neil Thomas of Atelier One in the UK just rocks up in slippers, a plain white t-shirt and jeans, and I think its cool.


Andrew Grant of Grant Associates, UK had some interesting landscape projects in Singapore, but my boss wasn't that impressed with him.


The most interesting speakers to me for that forum were the husband and wife team; Meijin Yoon and Eric Howeler of Mystudio.


Their projects were really simple and low cost, yet it was provocative and involves heaps of public interaction.


Another inpiring architect was Winy Mas of MDRDV, Netherlands. If you haven't seen their pig condominiums yet, do have a look!




If you're still wondering what the KL Convention Center looks like, here it is above..


And its right next to Suria KLCC and the Petronas Twin Towers.

Inside the convention center is a labyrinth of halls, and wide corridors.


The PAM convention is also an important opportunity for related industries to showcase their building products.



You can showcase just about anything, from cool wall tiles...


the most sophisticated italian kitchens...etc.


Ever wondered what a home theatre system looks like in a jacuzzi? The wait is finally over! :)


Basheer also didn't miss the band wagon and brought a whole armada of overpriced architecture books.


Would I return to the PAM convention? If its another company trip, I wouldn't mind, for sure XD