BWM Talk Series: Reimagining Spaces: Studio Bikin’s Journey in Adaptive Reuse

Posted on December 13, 2024 Updated on December 13, 2024

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Organised by Badan Warisan Malaysia

Date : Saturday, 11 January 2025
Time : 10.30AM
Venue : Badan Warisan Heritage Centre, No. 2 Jalan Stonor, Kuala Lumpur
Fee : RM20 per person (non-members), Free for BWM members

Light refreshments will be served.

Click HERE to register.

About the Talk:
Over the last 12 years of practice, Studio Bikin has organically designed and executed many adaptive re-use projects in Malaysia, consistently striving to contribute to delivering exceptional projects that leave a lasting impact by challenging the ordinary and reshaping the possible. They will summarise their design approach and some of the key projects over the years and focus on sharing two of the more recent projects: Else Kuala Lumpur, a boutique hotel on Jalan Tun HS Lee Kuala Lumpur, and Pasar Besar, an interior fit out for a Malaysian supermarket and food hall within the historic Central Market Kuala Lumpur.

Speakers:

Adela Askandar received her BA and Masters in Architecture from the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, in 2000, after which she trained at Lisa Shell design, an architectural practice in London for 2 years and gained her RIBA license. She joined Unit One design consultancy in Kuala Lumpur, where she led projects including the Leisure FarmVillas (winner, WAN international residential awards 2009), and Love Lane (winner PAM award 2006 for Adaptive Reuse). She also enjoyed collaborations with other creatives that allow further nurturing of ideas – this culminated in her curation of ‘Processing the City’, an exhibition that focused on artists and architects’ observations and interpretations of the Kuala Lumpur, held at the Central Market Annexe Gallery in September 2007. In 2008 she gained experience in the education sector at TP Bennet Architects, London, working on a project under the ‘Building Schools for the Future’ program. Adela also taught alongside practice and enjoyed collaborations with other designers, including Farah, which culminated in them formally setting up Studio Bikin (‘Make’ Studio) in 2012. She is interested in how architecture and design can transform and improve the urban and rural human experience whilst solving the commercial realities, some of which is reflected in the endeavors of Bikin’s projects through activating forgotten buildings and interstitial urban spaces. The Studio’s collaborative approach in achieving the client’s goals often contributes to a more dynamic, meaningful result spanning cultural, community-based, as well as commercial projects.

Farah Azizan (born in Penang) obtained her BA in architecture at Nottingham University, UK and pursued her diploma in architecture at the Architecture Association, London. Upon graduating in 2004, she worked part-time for Tonkin Liu Architects, returned to Kuala Lumpur and joined Seksan Design, where she practiced landscape and architectural design for 6 years. There she expanded her design skills as a designer, consistently blending art, architecture, and landscape into the projects she led. In 2012, she set up Studio Bikin with Adela Askandar a multi-disciplinary studio practice that is passionate about design and assumes a very hands-on approach on all their projects, valuing craftsmanship, detail, and sensitivity towards the context and environment within which they build. Her intuitive grasp of spatial dynamics and aesthetics allows her to orchestrate environments that resonate deeply with human emotions. Under Farah and Adela’s directorship, they foster an environment of collaboration and relentless curiosity by crafting immersive narratives that resonate in response to the client’s brief. Having a strong foundation in architectural principles and a dedication to creating functional yet visually captivating spaces, the studio has consistently contributed to delivering exceptional projects that leave a lasting impact by challenging the ordinary and reshaping the possible. Key projects led by Farah include Else Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh Hotel, Pasar Besar, BIG Supermarkets, Monterez House, Kong Heng Villas, APW, Hit & Mrs.