Written by Awang Hashim
On 9th October 2026, the Department of Architecture of the Faculty of Built Environment hosted a guest lecture entitled “Inspired to Inspire,” delivered by Ar. Rien Tan, principal of TKC Architects Sdn. Bhd. Designed to motivate architecture students, the talk bridged academic theory and professional practice by using his firm’s portfolio as real-world case studies.
During the lecture, Ar. Rien Tan urged students to treat their design studios as speculative laboratories for innovation rather than mere grading exercises. A central pillar of his presentation was the strategic integration of local cultural elements into modern architecture. By abstracting regional vernacular forms and indigenous motifs, his firm creates contemporary structures that maintain a distinct local Malaysian identity while achieving global and contemporary relevance.
Juxtaposition of Culture and Architecture for Design Inspirations
This contextual approach extended to material selection and climate responsiveness. The talk highlighted the importance of prioritising locally sourced materials and ensuring structural honesty. Furthermore, Ar. Thien Tan emphasised passive design strategies over mechanical cooling, demonstrating how optimised building orientation and courtyard typologies harness natural cross-ventilation and daylight to master the tropical climate, while using bold colour to celebrate the vibrancy of life.
Contemporary Design Inspired by Spatial Layout of Traditional Communal Spaces
The talk ended with an engaging Q&A session during which students actively discussed studio applications and real-world execution with the speaker, challenging the next generation of UNIMAS designers to balance commercial viability with cultural pride and ecological sustainability.
Lively engagement between Ar. Rien Tan and Architecture students