First Year presentation

This is the story of our own Malaysian Pavilion in the recent Shanghai Expo.

"Our architecture, it is not typically Minangkabau per say. Minangkabau is two buffalo horns. Ours is a tilted rooftop. Why? We have to have a pavilion that catches the eyes of everyone that comes in... Ours is so, so Malaysian tradition."

"There will also be an interactive traditional games and activities such as congkak and batik printing, foodstalls featuring hawkers' delight and even a putting green.

The 20 million ringgit Pavilion project was led by the Tourism Ministry, with the participation of other ministries. (apparently it took RM 35 mil to construct)

This is the first time that Malaysia is building a pavilion of its own for the prestigious event held every 5 years."

source (thestaronline)


It really sounded like a first year presentation. Assuming that we, as readers (particularly architecture students who read this) were to be the guest crit, what would we have to say?

I'd say,

Its a good effort. Really. I mean its the first time, and its large scale and what not.

But, next time, please don't involve politics. Architecture is a knowledge of form. You'd need 5 or 6 years to learn how to do more with less. Have a look at Australian pavilion. It was designed by a well-known architectural firm Wood Marsh, not a government body.

Goodluck with portfolio.

Ps:

• Putting green? Apa kaitan Malaysian tradition dengan golf? Aduyai. Kalau sawah padi faham la jugak.
• I heard a lot of local architects (Australian) criticizing Malaysia's architecture as figurative. I would have to agree, sadly. Figurative is like, you just like looking at the Quran, instead of reading its content, glad tidings, warning and so forth. Get it?
  
• RM 35mil. Ya Allah. Berapa banyak rumah dah boleh buat di Palestin.