- Choong Wei Li, winner of the inaugural Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM) Lafarge architecture students competition.
Choong Wei Li and other award winners during the awarding ceremony.
Limkokwing University alumnus, Choong Wei Li, who graduated with a Bachelors’ Degree (Part 2) in Architecture last year July, won the inaugural Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM) Lafarge architecture students competition.
The competition was a collaboration between the Malaysia Institute of Architects (PAM) - the national professional institute representing architects in Malaysia, and Lafarge- a world leading construction material provider.
The competition was launched on the 26th September 2013, and it was open to all Malaysian architecture students both studying locally and abroad. It was themed ‘Redefine Affordable Housing’, aiming at collecting ideas on how affordable, safe and convenient housing that maximises space could be provided for everyone.
‘It was an interesting challenge, because most of the low cost housing in Malaysia don’t have much design put into them, so I was excited to take on the project,’ he says.
Choong’s submission was a construction system that pre-determines the future needs of a growing family by providing extra space for expansion as the family grows. The construction system promote space maximization and sustainability, where the users purchase what they currently need and have an opportunity to expand the house whenever the family grows. The space allows the initial area of 850sqft to be expanded up to 1100sqft from 1 bedroom to 3 bedrooms within the same unit.
He says his idea was largely influenced by the building structure of the Limkokwing University’s Cyberjaya campus plaza.
“I was inspired by the Limkokwing plaza. It is built in a way that allows for further expansion without major reconstruction of the entire building,” he says.
His masterpiece idea won him a trophy and RM10,000 cash prize, money he says he intends to invest in his future.
The high achieving Choong, who received a ‘Tan Sri Dato’ Sri. Paduka Dr Lim Kok Wing Award for Excellence’ when he graduated last year, says his interest in architecture go way back to primary school, when he used to look at tall buildings in awe and wonder how they were made.
Years later, through a chance encounter at a Limkokwing University roadshow in his hometown, he knew the University was a place to make his architect dreams come true.
‘I was very impressed by the University’s achievements, I didn’t even think I would qualify to study there.’
When he got the ‘Honda Dream Fund’ full scholarship in 2008, he set out to make his dreams come true with the University.
“The scholarship allowed me to choose a University of my preference, and for me it was no contest, I knew I had to be in Limkokwing University.”
He says his time in Limkokwing University was an eye opened into the world, as he got to meet people from all over the world.
“I met a lot of different people, with different cultures and background, and I learnt to respect their cultures and live well with them.”
He also says the University gave him an ‘opportunity to explore his talent and passion fully,’ as there is no restrictions on creativity and innovation, and the University also nurtures students to their fully potential.
His many achievements includes a PAM-C.I.S Best Architecture Student Award in 2010, Dato Sri Najib Tun Razak Prime Minister Award of Creativity and Innovation also in 2010, UAC Architecture Student Award Honourable Mention in 2011, Passive Active Design Intervention (PADI) UPM 2nd Prize award in 2012, and a PRIMA UTM 2nd Prize Award in 2013.