ZO

NE

ARCHITECTThe Boutique Hotel and KPJ hospital Sungai Penchala

June 2015

An interview with Ar. Chong Chee Keong

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The ZONE Architect 1-2

Introduction to Ar. Chong Chee Keong 3-4

2 Projects involved 5-6

Roles and Responsibilities 7-8

PAGE 5

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CONTENT

THE ZONE ARCHITECTBackground & History

ZONE Architect is an international architecture and design consultancy firm that has been established for 27 years, since 1989. Their headquarter is located at Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Besides that, they also have other branches at Ipoh, Johor Bahru ,Mynmar and Abu Dhabi. .

 They have successfully delivered projects that are worth more than RM3 billion and have undertake projects in Australia, China, Cambodia, Indonesia, India, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Currently their office in Abu Dhabi has carried out projects in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman as well as in the Sultanate of Oman.1

Company Structure

Principal and Associate Directors

Mid-Level Management Team

Design

Management

Construction

Contracts

Marketing

Our team is made up of 50 personnel at KL HQ, who are all rigorously selected and trained to perform at peak level. We ensure the team members are part of a continuous training and development program to keep up with the latest building techniques. At Myanmar, the branches are in charge by others SOC, which have around 10 personnel while the Abu Dhabi branch is in collaboration with the Kuala Lumpur HQ.

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INTRODUCTION to Ar. Chong Chee Keong

Q1: What is your biggest challenge as an architect ?To interpret the brief and make it workable in the industry. Convince client on the design concept. Also, meet up the budget with less risky ideas. Dealing with the contractors (convince them that the design works). But mainly, dealing with the authority because after submitting and being compliant, more requirements are needed as if the authority is the client and the inability to offend them is a headache.3

Ar. Chong Chee Kong has 13 years of professional experience after graduating from University Malaya, including his 2 years in ZONE and has gained strong analytical skills in problem identification and implementation of effective solutions. Besides, he is well versed in most aspects of housing and commercial developments; and building regulation in Malaysia. He strives for continued excellence and advancement, and always presents himself in a professional manner.

Ar. CHONG CHEE KEONG, Project Director

Q2. How do you describe your university life as an architecture student?Try to participate and meet more people outside of the course instead of the same people in it because there is no end in architecture if you just keep perfecting your work causing you to be less sociable.

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Q3. Is becoming an architect your first ambition ?STPM did not prepare me for my ambition so I was just focusing on getting good grades. After that, architecture seemed great because I was qualified and thought it was fun and did not need to study much. Initially, I also thought that my drawing was good.

Q4.How important is your university education to your career now?University was a time to explore concepts and is less serious compared to actual work .

“ Architecture is actually very funny , you never have an end to the projects.” - Ar. Chong Chee Kong

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Throughout his 12 years of experience as a project architect, Ar. Chong Chee Keong has worked from preparing schematic design, developing design, preparing tender to managing and administering building contract. Among the projects he has handled, he stated that the challenging ones are the proposed private medical center for KPJ Hospital in Sungai Penchala and proposed 3-star hotel, Boutique Hotel at Jalan Yap Ah Shak, Kuala Lumpur.

Regarding the Boutique Hotel, Ar. Chong was in charge of the preliminary plan. When the preliminary plan was almost completed, and he was waiting for the submission and approval. He had done the tender drawings already and he was ensuring whether it was constructible. Ar. Chong said that when they wanted to call upon the calling tender, the client wanted them to redesign it, saying that they wanted a different typology. He then had to redesign the whole concept by starting from the sketching process. 

BOUTIQUE HOTEL , Kuala Lumpur

By Ar. Chong Chee Keong

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For the hospital project, when he was involved in it, it already has a preliminary layout. After the hospital operator came in, he and his team have to redesign the whole structure. The layout has to be approved by 3 parties. Not only the layout, they also need to emphasise the cost and deal with the Quantity Surveyor. After finalising the layout, they have to complete the KN submission. Right now he is waiting for the client’s instructions as they are still negotiating the cost.

Private Medical Center for KPJ Hospital , Sungai PenchalaProposed by Ar. Chong Chee Keong

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Ar. Chong designs a tender drawing that is constructible starting from a sketch. When the client wants a design of a building, they will brief him first on what they want. Then, the he has to investigate the site and then designs according to the regulations and laws of planning requirements. He has to communicate with the council to update them on the design information.

whole thing will be sent to the KM. Also, he has to choose the materials for the building construction as well. If the client is not confident with the materials chosen, a discussion will be held and a proposal will then be sent to the suppliers.

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ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIESOf Ar. Chong Chee Keong for the pass 12

years

After the first design, he will then have to present it. If the design is accepted, he can then proceed. However, before construction starts, the design has to be sent to a quantity surveyor to calculate the total construction costs. After that, the plan and elevation has to be sent to a planner. Finally, the

BEFORE CONSTRUCTION

Hs job does not end directly after the completion of construction. He has to revisit the site to observe the views and know the location of access and the slope. He also need to assess the condition of the building to ensure that it is in good condition. His work continues until after the building work. Part of the payment due to the builder – the retention – is held back for up to twelve months and is only paid out on the architect’s instruction, after any defects have been rectified by the contractor. Remember that the architect’s Opinion on Compliance with Planning and Building Regulations is subject to work not being changed during construction.

DURING CONSTRUCTION

He has to go through the contract and ask the contractor to submit all the compliance materials. A sample model also has to be made for reference. Then, he will be involved in site visits and meetings, overseeing the construction and signing off on various pieces of work. He will be negotiating with contractors and dealing with and resolving any problems that arise.

AFTERCONSTRUCTION

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ABOUT US

Group Leader : Shum Li SzeGroup Members : 1. Tan Jia San

2. Ng Ji Yann 3. Phares Phung 4. Ong Von Wan 5. Ngu Xian Le

Tutor : Pn. Hasmanirah Mokhtar

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FNBE MARCH INTAKE

2015