Kalachakra Mandala

In Buddhist Tibet, impermanent mandalas known as kilkhors are created using flowers, dyed grains of rice crushed precious stones and colored grains of sand. In a spiritual ceremony called the Kalachakra initiation, the mandala is painstakingly laid out in areas of different colored sands. The purpose of the ceremony is to bring about personal and world peace, and to remind each participant of the transitory nature of the material world. After words the mandalas swept away until trace remains.

Kalachakra mandala is a Sanskrit word for “Wheel of Time”. It is a completely detailed, cosmology. It is founded in a Tanric cosmology a traditional sacred explanation of the creation and structure of all. In the description, the microcosm that is man is not different from the macrocosm that is the universe. Besides these two very complex maps-one outside us, there is given a method-a way to practice and apply the knowledge, in order to achieve ultimate happiness. Kalachakra can also be translated, the cycle of time. It is the name of highest level Tantra and also the name of dark blue male deity, whose golden concert is Vishvamata (Mother of Universe). The teaching of it, which is preparatory to the initiation, requires the construction of an intricate mandala and to do it is an extensive undertaking.

Perhaps the most admired and discussed symbol of Buddhist religion and art is the mandala, a word which, like guru and yoga, has become part of English language. Both broadly define mandala as geometric design intended to symbolize the universe, and reference is made to their use in Buddhist and Hindu practices. The word mandala itself derived from the root mandala. Which means essence. As an image, a mandala may symbolize both the mind and the body of the Buddha. In esoteric Buddhism the principal in the mandala is the presence of Buddha in it, but images of deities are not necessary. They may be presented either as a wheel, a tree, or a jewel, or in any other symbolic manifestation. In the mandala there are six circles of element:- wisdom, space, wind, fire, water and earth. Then we get different entrances of the body, speech and mind. In the mandala we get seeds of Sanskrit letter they represent different gods and goddess.

Life is Going On

Well, it is 5am now. I just came back from voon siew's lovely wedding. I wish my big day will come within 10 years. After graduate from UTM, my life is getting more and more challenging. For me, this is best achievement throughout the year. I never expect there are so many surprise in 2011. After the Haiti competition, i went through a dramatic transition in my life. Not only in term of life but also the way how I appreciate everything. Some people said the most you obtain, the more you affraid to lose. In my opinion, the more I have, the more things you need to explore, appreciate and enjoy.

Rather than that, I also won the besOt design award for UAC competition. Well, i am really excited about it. Finally, i did it. However, they are some lecturer from another uni critic on my drawing. I will take it as a very sincere comment and I will keep it up.

Rather than that, the most exicting part is I went to Europe. It is my dream! It is real!! I have to say thank you to the boss. He is so great. More photo will be upload soon. I used to write a journal after I came back from a trip. But the europe trip is too special, I might need some time to write the journal.

Finally, this is my first time finished a post while travelling. Really feel great about it. I have to always work hard and keep it up. By the way, i have to say thank you for all my friends. Hopefully US still not far away from me.

Haiti Housing Collaborative Competition: Updated

Regarding to the Haiti housing competition, everything is on the move right now. The most excited moment is Manfred and his firm is preparing all the construction drawings right now. The second fundraising event will be held on 22^nd September which is so near to my convocation..I can’t wait to earn money and fly to USA.

This is the email that I would like to share if anyone loves to donate for this event.

“• At the January 12 event we were able to raise about $21,000; the next
fundraiser is scheduled for September 22, 2001. In addition, we have
commitments from the International University Center Haiti to build one of
each of our four designs, the first already funded as a Community Center for
orphaned and abandoned children for Orphans International Worldwide (OIWW)
Haiti.
• We are searching for additional sites in the town of Petite Goâve and are
in communication with C2C (Community to Community) a 501(c)3 organization
towards that end.

• We have translated the descriptions of each board into French. Two weeks
ago, one of our board members went to Haiti and presented them in Petite
Goâve for feedback from the community. "

Hereby is the website: http://www.haitihousingcollaborative.org/final.html

Currently, I am busy with my working permit in Singapore and doing model for design 4 (mainly for the fundraiser in New York).

Design 4: A combination of my design with others design strategy during the second stage of competition.

My final Semester

Yes, I am going to graduate in this coming September. After 5 years of Unilife, I have to face with the real world now. However, I guess I did my best in my thesis year. All my hard work is worth in this moment (especially during the CAAEM).

By the way, thank you to my beloved 38 group….U all are so amazing. Without friends, I think I couldn’t be so strong to go through so many crit and challenge. Eventhough sometime I might be very stubborn and weird in term of my thinking and behavior, but I know this is very subjective. And you know what- this is choon wah.. and u guys would never forget me..hahaha..

Special thanks to my roommate as well.

Well, this is my thesis. Nothing much. Just continue all the researches from 1^st stage. Finally, the design is done with different layers of thought and experiment the impossible. This process is tough, but once you go through, there will be a goal on what you want to achieve. The lacking of this entire thesis is the physical model! I love to do it, but it is really hard in term of “construction”..Seriously..I believe my building is not going to work in the real practice. lol

Thank you Prof. Tajuddin gave me such an opportunity and supportive comment during my thesis year. Including En.Halim and Dr,Tareef

Well. This is the painting for my thesis. It represents different religious by the floral motive. Can you figure it out?

Second Charette II

Center for Architecture, located at 536 LaGuardia Place in New York City.

This is the place where my design in Haiti Housing Collaborative Competition will be display.

I am sure I will be there one day.

Preparation

HAITI HABITAT-The 5mx6m design proposal demonstrates a flexible unit design and the combination of six units to form a small community. Cooking, washing cloths and sanitary activities are located at the common area where the residents could share the same function. It is significant to encourage the existing sharing culture and social activities within the Haitian.

Each house is designed with a courtyard- a principle which is then extended to the site planning as well. The units are grouped around a hierarchy of open space and private area. (Living room and bedroom-Private; Internal courtyard- semi private; common area- open).The basic unit consists of living room and one bedroom. It can be easily expand to fulfill the different size of family in the future.

­ Recycled materials are used such as recycled plywood, plastic bottles and corggurated plastic roof. The half brick walls not only reduce the construction time but also avoid the deterioration of plywood. Plastic bottles are used to increase the ventilation of the house.

Water and Waste water Management:

The roof structure performs as a funnel to collect the rainwater into water tank located at the courtyard in each unit. After filtration, the water can be used for drinking, cooking and bathing. All waste water turn into grey water and it will be stored in the grey water tank. Grey water can be used for irrigation and flushing toilet. Finally, human excrement and crop’s waste will be collected to produce methane for spark-ignition engine. Spark-ignition could generate electricity that overcome the power supply issue.

Aesthetic:

Haitian art will be the source of inspiration for the wall design. The usage of recycled plastic bottles can be arranged according to their creativity to form a unique art work on the wall. At the same time, the plastic bottles act as a ventilation element as well.

Any comment are welcome..It may help me to improve the presentation...Just SHOOT!!

Second Charette

I am glad that my entry has been shortlisted recently. Honestly, I am damn nervous when I received all the timetable and schedule this morning. Ok. I need to be strong to handle this and all my effort will be the benefit for the Haitian. There are nothing more meaningful compare to this. The other entries are damn good.

Anyway, only my entry doesn’t look like build-able..paiseh. I am happy that I can go so far..Thank you Charles Correa and Geoffrey Bawa- my mentor. They are just brilliant and humble in architecture.

Good luck and Happy New Year.

http://www.haitihousingcollaborative.org/

Haiti Competition

This is my first individual challenge that won the competition. After 1 week of preparation and submission, I received an email last Friday. My entry has been selected into top twelve where they give me a chance to present my work in New York City.

The most interesting part of this competition is no monetary awards. Haiti-Habitat will seek out the best cross-sections to yield a maximum benefit to Haiti. This is exactly what I want to do in the future. I wish this is my best Christmas gift to all the Haitian.

All the best in my stage two-Charette.

Fingers crossed.

Thesis Year

Finally, this is my final year of architecture course in UTM. I finished my Thesis-Stage 1 last month. It was an incredible and yet horrible semester. I believe that most of the architecture student worries about their topic, critical thinking and final outcome. Anyway, what I can say is enjoy your topic, share your topic with your friends, try more experiment and do it regularly. Don’t put yourself in a selfish world and lock yourself in a tiny brain.

Talking about my thesis, it is an Ecumenical Centre in UTM- interreligious worship place towards a united and progressive community in Malaysia context. After all the researches and studies, I came out with three design approaches.

My first attempt

Mutation into second attempt

Final design..Anyway, this is just part of the imagination. I believe that I'm gonna to change all the design in Stage 2.

Intership Singapore

Chinese temple between Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar

Statue in front of the temple

Red. dot museum: A place where I miss the leather notebook ($50).

Indian temple: Same row with the Chinese temple

National Museum: An iconic colonial building with modern structure.

Throughout the year

Hello! Saxowall,

I went to lots of places with my new babe (D3000) throughout this year. It is kind of fantastic that I can capture every single moment in my lifetime. At the same time, I am growing up. From internship (torture by the Japanese guy), trips and final year studio, I start to look at the truth from my inner heart.

Recently, I read a diary from Frank Anne. I never realize that a diary could be so powerful and impressive. Just like Benjamin Button’s diary…record every single moment in their life. Fortunately, I have a camera to capture everything from my perspective. My writing skill is sucks..haha..

Thesis year is a peaceful year where there are only five world wars in a semester. Thanks to Sammy and Ming as well. Without your inspiration, my thesis would go smooth and steady. Talking about my friends, some of them are getting stubborn. Don’t you understand? Anyway, best friends are still around.

Again, I have lots of dreams that haven’t come true yet. I wish I can be selfish guy that can ignore all the responsibility and commitment. Feel sorry to my parents. I am not an ordinary guy that only thinking of money, big house and wife.

OK..I want to stop here, See you..

Intership in Singapore

The skyline of Clarke Quey

The Barrage

Mosque in Sri Lanka

Geoffrey Bawa's retreat house

Adam's peak

The nature of Sri Lanka

City Hall Penang

Night view from Xinyi's Condo

Sunset of Teluk Bungah

Wheel and Infinity

Ican’t stop playing around with topmod and paracloud. It is so fun.