Drawing inspiration
from Penang
Amidst the heat and humidity, armed with cameras and field journals, 18 third-year architecture students embarked on a 10-day study program to the UNESCO cultural world heritage site of George Town, the capital city of the Malaysian state of Penang.
The Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan Mobility Program funded the students on the trip in April this year, with the aim of increasing knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia.
The trip to George Town was an opportunity to experience a multicultural society within a well-preserved South-East Asian colonial heritage site of significant civic, religious and shop-house buildings that date from the 18th century of British settlement.
Led by UQ Architecture lecturer Leonie Matthews, the group was supported by local architects and heritage practitioners, with many making time to meet and discuss their understanding of George Town.
On returning to Australia, students developed their schemes in the design studio before curating an exhibition of their work, titled Stories From Penang.
For more information about the Stories from Penang exhibition, visit the UQ School of Architecture website.
Eminent Penang architect Laurence Loh with UQ students at his firm’s award-winning heritage project The Blue Mansion in George Town.
The Blue Mansion in George Town.
UQ students with their lecturer Leonie Matthews in front of the converted shophouse Ke-Lan Tan House in George Town.
Student Timothy Bauer discusses his design with UQ Adjunct Professor Kevin Low, who is a practicing architect in Malaysia.
A catalogue of the students’ collated work titled Stories from Penang.
Students viewing plans at University Sans Malaysia.
Student sketches of Khoo Khongsi Temple and Khoo Khongsi Opera House.
SPOTLIGHT ON MALAYSIA
1253 Malaysian students enrolled in UQ programs.
536 co-publications between UQ and Malaysian institutions between 2011 and May 2016.
5 research projects involving Malaysian institutions since 2011, with a total value of more than $7.8 million.
8 formal agreements between UQ and five Malaysian partners.
2974 UQ alumni from Malaysia.
16 UQ academic staff members, including one professor, born in Malaysia.