This article first appeared in City & Country, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on December 9, 2024 - December 15, 2024

Growing up in the small fishing village of Pontian Kechil in Johor, Rien Tan led a simple life with no high-rises, shopping malls or cinemas. He did, however, see them on programmes screened by the TV channels of neighbouring Singapore and dreamt of one day designing such tall buildings. From there, his desire to become an architect grew.

While Tan didn’t really understand what it would take to be an architect at the time, his resolve to be one did not waver and, in 2013, he graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from UCSI University in Kuala Lumpur. Two years later, he earned a Master in Architecture from UTM in Johor.

Tan worked in New York for a year and in 2016, returned to Malaysia and was employed at a local architectural firm. After four years there, he decided it was time to strike out on his own and in July 2020, the then 29-year-old established TKCA Architect.

Tan explains that he approaches design from several angles. “At the heart of our design approach is our company slogan, ‘Inspired to Inspire’. We draw inspiration from the client’s story, the site, the surrounding environment and the people who interact with the space.”

Each of his projects incorporate four key elements — a client-centric approach to ensure what is needed is provided; design excellence and sustainability where passive design principles are incorporated to help reduce maintenance costs; continuous innovation by incorporating advanced construction techniques, materials and systems; and value creation that goes beyond just the physical building but also fostering a sense of community and enriching the surrounding environment.

While Tan has been involved in several projects since starting TKCA Architect, one in particular stands out, having won both local and international awards.

Skyblox is a co-living development in Setapak, Selangor, which was completed using the Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC) system. Commonly used in Singapore, but relatively new in Malaysia, this prefabricated system is faster to put up, produces minimal waste and uses a lower number of workers.

Tan explains that the 2.75-acre land where Skyblox is situated was a vacant site. Its owner, property developer SkyWorld Development Bhd (KL:SKYWLD), was mulling plans for the land and Tan proposed a temporary solution that could generate income until the plans were finalised.

“We advised the developer, why not do something that is moveable that can help you generate income while you are developing the surrounding area? The vacant land, in the future, is earmarked for a high-rise development,” he says.

“So I proposed the PPVC construction for temporary housing, where you can put it there for maybe 10 years and once the surrounding area is mature or the population is there already, we can shift the housing to another site.”

The project started in 2021 and was completed in 2023. There are 320 units and each has an attached bathroom. Built-ups range from 100 to 175 sq ft and the rental rates are between RM800 and RM1,300 per month. According to Tan, it is currently about 50% occupied.

The units are designed to ensure plenty of natural light and good ventilation, and be comfortable for tenants.

For a more community-focused setting, Tan maximised the shared spaces such as the communal living area and kitchen to allow for more interaction among the residents. There is also a private park for residents’ use.

“Architecturally, it employs passive design strategies to maximise natural daylight and airflow, while integrating a rainwater harvesting system. Local materials such as raw brick and concrete are used alongside smart electrical meters, making SkyBlox an example of energy efficiency and sustainable urban living,” he explains.

The target group for this project are university students, young working adults and small families. To ensure security, there are designated women-only zones as well as small family zones, he adds.

According to Tan, the cost of using the PPVC system is similar to that of conventional methods. But with scale, the cost can be reduced. The key benefit is time savings — in this case, the project was set up in nine months. The system also allows for better quality control, which results in fewer defects and better waste management and cleanliness onsite.

The project has been well received and won local awards such as the PAM Award 2024, and international ones, namely the Seoul Design Award 2024, Taiwan Golden Pin Design Award 2024, Australia Sustainability Awards 2024 and UIA 2030 Award.

While Skyblox is taking Tan places, he is no one-trick pony. Another of his designs is Spectrum House in Subang, Selangor. He transformed the traditional bungalow into a 3-storey home with two separate blocks linked by a sheltered roof.

Tan says the use of colour was integral to this project as is evident from the colourful louvred windows on the facade. It is an example of how “design brings colour and light to life as interactive features that enhance the user experience”, he adds. The transformation of the home for the growing family started in 2020 and was completed in 2023.

Another project is Sama Square, in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur. This commercial project reinvents the traditional concept to offer a new design and inclusive spaces to foster community. There are three zones: The Main Market Building has open food kiosks and enclosed stalls selling packaged fruits, vegetables, seafood, dry goods and groceries; the Open Street People Plaza is for pop-up events and gatherings; and the Retail Village has curated shops, eateries and service outlets. The project was completed last year.

As a young up-and-coming architect, how does Tan see the future of architecture in Malaysia?

He believes projects will no longer be executed by one company but rather through collaborative efforts. For instance, he notices that more and more young designers, whether in the architectural field or others such as interior design, are venturing out on their own. As such, collaboration between designers will be the way forward.

In addition, Tan says new technologies will increasingly be used. There will be more innovation when designing new projects along with the use of big data to guide the process, he notes.

“As a young architect, my hope is that more clients and stakeholders will embrace innovative ideas and concepts. With trust and collaboration, we can achieve remarkable outcomes. I truly believe that if given the opportunity, young architects can introduce iconic yet grounded projects that elevate Malaysia on the international stage. Together, with the right support, we have the potential to create groundbreaking landmarks that will define the future of Malaysian architecture.”

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