Written by Jane Pauline Anak Herold and Nadzirah Jausus
UNIMAS Architecture students with PANSAR Engineering representatives during their technical visit to the Borneo Cultures Museum.
KUCHING, 12 June 2026 – Fourteen Architecture students from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) participated in an educational technical visit to the Borneo Cultures Museum (BCM) on 12 June 2026 to deepen their understanding of Green Building Index (GBI) certification and sustainable building technologies.
The visit was organised as part of the BEA 3273 Green Architecture Problem course, providing students with the opportunity to relate classroom theories to real-world sustainable building practices. The programme also aimed to expose students to sustainable building features, green design strategies, and sustainability practices. As Malaysia’s first museum to achieve Silver Green Building Index (GBI) certification, BCM provided an ideal learning environment for students to observe sustainable architecture and building management in practice.
The programme commenced at the Annex Dry Lab, Arts & Craft Meeting Room with welcoming remarks, followed by safety and facility management briefings by the team from PANSAR Berhad. Students then attended a presentation on the museum’s Green Building Index (GBI) certification and sustainability initiatives, where they gained insights into the strategies implemented to minimise environmental impact while maintaining a comfortable indoor environment for visitors and preserving the museum’s collections.
During the briefing, representative from PANSAR Engineering Services Sdn Bhd. explained the sustainability strategies implemented throughout the building. Students were introduced to the building’s energy-efficient air-conditioning system, which carefully regulates indoor temperature and humidity to meet sustainability standards without compromising collection conservation requirements.
The briefing also highlighted the museum’s water management system, which incorporates rainwater harvesting as a sustainable alternative to treated water. Instead of relying on the public water supply to replenish certain water storage tanks, the museum collects and utilises rainwater for designated operational purposes, demonstrating an effective approach to water conservation and resource efficiency.
Following the briefing, the students participated in a guided technical tour led by the museum’s Mechanical Engineer. The tour included visits to the Chiller Plant Room to observe the condenser water recycling system, the Air Handling Unit (AHU) Room to learn about the degasser system, and the Pump Room, where the rainwater harvesting facilities are located. Students also visited the rooftop to observe components of the building’s mechanical systems and gain a better understanding of how sustainable building services are integrated into the overall design and operation of the museum.
The technical visit provided valuable practical exposure for the students, allowing them to witness how sustainable technologies and engineering systems are applied in a certified green building. By connecting theoretical knowledge with industry practices, the experience enhanced their understanding of sustainable architecture and reinforced the importance of environmentally responsible design in addressing contemporary challenges within the built environment.
UNIMAS extends its appreciation to the Borneo Cultures Museum and PANSAR Engineering Services Sdn Bhd for facilitating the technical briefing and guided tour, which contributed significantly to the success of the programme and the students’ learning experience.
UNIMAS representatives, Nadzirah Jausus and Ts. Mohd. Anis Yaziq, present a token of appreciation to PANSAR Engineering Services Sdn Bhd representatives, Ts. Chai Yu Kiong and Mr. Ahmad Mustaqim, in recognition of their support in facilitating the technical briefing and guided tour.