Last week, we introduced maverick architecture lecturer Prof Dr M. TAJUDDIN M. RASDI who believes we should be building people-friendly neighbourhoods rather than glorious showcases to political egos. In the first of his monthly columns, the outspoken academic shares his views on how our physical environment can influence intangibles like racial and religious harmony.
WHEN my Chinese neighbour burns joss sticks in his porch, the smoke meanders offensively into my living room and I usually have to close my front door, which reduces ventilation.
Should we forbid this ritual, then? Of course not! A simple solution would be for the architects of Malaysia’s infamously boring and ubiquitous terrace houses to design a metal chimney into the porch ceiling. (more…)
