Building Investment (May - Jun 2016)

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The Malaysia Academy of Han Studies
Strengthening tradition through design
More than 25,000 radial pieces of Lysaght® 360 Seam® used to
translate one-of-a-kind roof design into reality.
TRADITION REPRESENTS a critical piece of our culture and that
includes every aspect of our lives. Among the strongest representation
of tradition are the architectural designs of homes that defines who
we are.
The Tulou clusters in Southern China is a particularly impressive
symbol of yesteryears’ tradition with its unique form of structure
symbolising strength, harmony and community within its then
residents, the Hakka Chinese. Currently, it is recognised by the
World Heritage Organization as a UNESCO site.
Inspired by this one-of-a-kind structure, The Malaysia Academy
of Han Studies (MAHS), an iconic education centre situated
in Malacca, has specifically tailored its school vision of Chinese
philosophy education to create an atmosphere as a reminder of
tradition.
Completed in February 2016, the architectural structure of
MAHS echoes the school’s purpose yet does not compromise on
functionality. The structure emphasises on the village atmosphere
of the Tulou Clusters to generate a community-based environment
that promotes the circulation of people and energy for like-minded
individuals pursuing a scholarly path.
The centre of attention for this grand and ambitious building is
no doubt the one-of-a-kind design of the roof, a rich interpretation
of the Tulou structure. Not only was it designed with a beautiful
tapestry in mind, the roof also functions to allow natural ventilation
and day light to flow through the building.
To translate the idea into reality, Australian-based architect,
Studio 505, together with its local counterpart, worked with
NS BlueScope Lysaght, a company with a long-standing reputation
of expertise in roofing vernacular in the architecture community, to
transform the architectural design into reality.
32 Building & Investment | www.b-i.biz