Bfm :: I Love Kl

After taking over and running an old photo lab that’s about to go out of business, Lau Wen Huat decided that he should do more to support local photographers. That led to the birth of Zontiga, a cosy studio that provides both technical and intellectual support for budding and seasoned photographers alike. He joins us on this week’s show to talk about why it’s important for a space like this to exist for photographers to gather and exchange ideas, while geeking out about all the technical things.Image Source: Lau Wen Huat, Zontiga

In this episode, we look at the various mosques in Malaysia and their architectural influences. We also explore some practical considerations that can be made from a design perspective to make mosques and suraus, especially the ones in public spaces, more accommodating to users.Image Source: ©lcchew/123RF.COM

This episode of I Love KL explains what low carbon cities are and how everyone has a role to play in making sure that they become a reality. Chau Loon Wai, senior lecturer from the Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia shares his knowledge on the subject.Image Source: Shutterstock.com

In this month’s session with our resident heritage conservation expert, Elizabeth Cardosa, we reflect on the legacy of old businesses in the city and the nation. What’s their secret to success and longevity? And can newer, younger businesses replicate their success? Image Source: Sanga Park, Shutterstock.com

Wawasan 2020 didn’t end up becoming a reality, but that does not mean that it did not leave a lasting impact and legacy to a lot of people from that era. The people behind the Wawasan Project, an archive group that documents all things related to Wawasan 2020, join the show to share how Wawasan 2020 impacted their perspectives of the country and the city, and what they plan to achieve with this project.

The aesthetic of photos captured using an old, vintage camera can only be matched by the process of creating these cameras and printing those photos yourself, and for Jeffrey Lim, his interest in both photo making and printmaking led to the creation of DIY box cameras to consolidate everything. He then founded Kanta Studio to share his work with others and educate them on the art of a more deliberate photography process. Jeffrey joins us on the show to reflect on what he has achieved so far.

In order to get his work done on the spot, photographer K. Azril Ismail purchased a decommissioned ambulance and turned it into a mobile darkroom. Coupled with his preference for vintage photography, Azril is definitely turning heads and making people around him curious with his ambulance. We speak to him to find out the story behind the vehicle and his approach to photography.Image Source: K. Azril Ismail

Kuala Lumpur celebrated its 50th anniversary as a city last month, so we decided to reflect on how the capital has grown and transformed throughout all these years, and what KL’s identity is at this moment.

The flood disaster that struck the Klang Valley at the end of last year has prompted a lot of serious conversations about how our city is designed and managed. Pereka Bandar weighs in on the conversation by proposing a water-sensitive urban design approach that will be able to manage and potentially mitigate floods in our city. They also suggest that we adopt the concept of “sponge cities”, currently implemented by some urban centres in China.Image Source: Wan Fahmy Redzuan, Shutterstock.com

What is it like to teach architecture here in Malaysia? How does one juggle between imparting knowledge based on the syllabus and their personal philosophies and ideas on how architecture should be perceived and thought of? What’s the architecture landscape here in Malaysia? We speak to Nazmi Anuar, this time in his capacity as an educator, to get his take on these questions and more.

Selangor government, through their strategic investment arm, Menteri Besar Incorporated, will be renovating two heritage buildings in KL that have been neglected these past few years. The buildings are the building formerly known to house The Chartered Bank and the former home to KL’s Industrial Court. Elizabeth Cardosa shares the stories of these two buildings and gives her take on what they plan to do.Image Source: Zain Abdullah, Heritage Buildings Of Malaysia

There’s something very fascinating about seeing miniature replicas of things that we see on a daily basis, and that feeling will be extended a lot more once you set foot in MinNature Malaysia, a gallery that showcases realistic miniatures of various facets of lives in Malaysia. For its founder, Wan Cheng Huat, the journey to replicate Malaysia in this form is driven by his passion and love for the country, and its many cultures. He joins us via Zoom to share the trials and tribulations of pursuing his dream.

After close to two years of uncertainties, Kwai Chai Hong is finally able to open its door freely again (but with strict SOPs) to visitors who long for a taste of the old Petaling Street, but with a fresh coat of paint. This privately-owned small alley has been making strides prior to the pandemic, and while Covid-19 has slowed them down for a bit, it has not stopped them. We catch up with its co-founder, Zeen Chang to hear how they’ve managed to survive, and come back with a vengeance.

Process Magazine is the latest player to join the independent magazine scene here in Malaysia. Armed with a highly infectious DIY spirit and a passion for good reading materials, Process aims to carve out a space for the creative community to share their contemplative thoughts and observations of the world that we live in. Joining us to share the journey that they’ve embarked on to produce this annual magazine is its co-founder, Lew Kong Hui.

We reflect on the role parks play in balancing our lives in the city, as well as how we should play a more responsible role in maintaining and preserving our parks. Our guest, Elizabeth Cardosa also shares how she views parks and nature in her line of work as a heritage conservationist.

What are the factors that need to be taken into consideration when it comes to designing a green building? How should one go about designing a building in a more sustainable way? This episode of I Love KL delves into the basics of green architecture and what it takes to make our space friendlier to the environment.

We reflect on the state of heritage preservation in the city, passing the mantle to the younger generation and future challenges as we end the year on a bittersweet note, with our resident heritage conservation expert, Elizabeth Cardosa.

Background, Frame, Platform, is a collection of essays by Nazmi Anuar from Normal Architecture that focuses on his personal observations, musings and experiences in the architecture field. We discuss some of the observations that he made in the book, including his experience researching Razak Mansion, what he thinks of the areas around Pasar Borong Selayang and the joy of learning by teaching.Image Source: Nazmi Anuar

Suburbia Projects is a new publisher in town that focuses specifically on architecture. They plan to make architecture less elitist and more accessible for everyone, with a focus on championing the practical and the pragmatic, and less on the aesthetics. Co-founders, Naadiya Hani and Ashran Bahari join us on the show to share their vision and hopes for the local architecture scene.IMAGE SOURCE: Suburbia Projects / INSTAGRAM

In this month’s episode, Elizabeth Cardosa joins us to share the story of Ulu Pangsun Mini Hydro Station, one of the oldest power plants in Malaysia that’s no longer in commission, but was built under a very interesting circumstance, located all the way in Hulu Langat, and surrounded by lush greenery.IMAGE SOURCE: Taufik Sallehuddin / SHUTTERSTOCK