REBUILT FOR THE THRILL

Unlike most people, vintage car enthusiasts can see the potential for old jalopies to be restored. They will spare no expense in ordering original parts from abroad or fabricate them and restore the car to its authentic specifications. Tinkering around with the car is all part of the pleasure of owing a vintage car.
Today I had an opportunity to witness professional vintage car restoration at work. If you love old cars but are not mechanically inclined, don't worry. There is still One-Stop Car Cares, the vintage and classic car specialist where Prakash S. Maniam and his team provide professional car restoration services. Thanks to Prakash and his team to let me explore every little corner of his garage and stores. Prakash, who learned repair skills from his father, gained further professional experience and expertise with a two-year stint in Singapore.
In 1990, he started his own garage in Johor Bahru. With a personal passion for Mercedes, he specialised in working on Mercedes Benz. Then he discovered an inclination for restoration work and began to restore vintage and classic cars.
Each restoration job can take up to 12 months. One of his most memorable job is the restoration of 1930 Austin Seven. I would like to share my experience through my lens and Prakash professional skills with all of you out there. One-Stop Car Care is at No. 27, Jalan Selatan 2/1, Kawasan Perindustrian Ringan Pulai, 81300 Skudai, Johor and Prakash mobile number is 016-7722410.
Please click photo to see my set on vintage car restoration work before and after.

POETIC FOOTBRIDGE

First year architecture student project 2008, universiti teknologi malaysia

WHAT IS GOOD DESIGN

Nothing is more perfect than nature.

Two big issues always hover around the concept of "design". The first is, What is design? the second is, What is good design?. While this issues of good design is a pressing question today, we should remember that "good design" is also a phrase from the past that carries a mixed message. Good design is a form of respect. Good dessign requires more vision (a larger point of view versus the single brilliant idea), more consistancy (a deeper underlying structure of language and form versus the simple, uniform application of visual elements) and more patience persistence over time versus creative authoritarianism.

In most people's vocabularies, design means veneer. It's the physical outfit plus cosmetics. But to me, nothing could be further from the meaning of design. Design is the fundamental soul of a man-made creation that ends up expressing itself in successive way which creates an experience that is both delightful and relevant to the human being. Good design amaze us, scare us or delight us but certainly open us to new worlds that within our daily existance.

BEFORE & AFTER THE COLLAPSE

Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium is a new multi-use stadium in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia. The construction began in May 2006 and was completed last year. The RM292 million stadium was currently used mostly for football matches and can hold up to 50,000 people. It is the biggest stadium in the East Coast region of Peninsular Malaysia. The stadium was officially opened in 2008 and host the 2008 Sukma Games. It is the first stadium in Asia to used a space frame structure where the 134meters roof is not supported by any columns.

At 9.40am, 2nd of June 2009, sixty percent of the roof structure collapsed. While no one was injured and a few cars and motorcycles were damaged. The damage was estimated at RM35million. The worse damage was at the east wing of the stadium. The CIBD (Construction and Industrial Development Board) of the Works Ministry has been tasked to form an investigation team with certified architects to probe why this happened.

Thank God that it didn't happen while a sports game was going on. As for me it is not a surprise. My brother used to ask me about the flatten shape at the centre of the curvilinear roof form when we were there enjoying ourselves at the bowling alley 48 hours before the collapse. My answer is simple. It's the failure of the roof structure. Well, I'm not an engineer but a lay man can tell you that simple answer. Can you imagine the number of the casualties that would've caused. The Government must take this matter very seriously. It must bring the culprits to book. This ain't mere oversight. It is a criminal negligence. And, one wonders how many other stadiums structure are waiting to collapse. In Teluk Intan, parts of the stadium roof collaped a couple of years back killing one, and none is yet to face the music. It is standard knowledge now that when construction is concerned, everyone involve in the project tends to cut corners and thus increase their profits? I doubt the building was actually "to-spec" but the time it was built by contractors, sub-contractors, building inspectors et al have probably already scaled back to much the quality of the structure was compromised.

What do these people care? Then again, the authorities ain't so hot either. I was given the opportunity by HIM to be there before and after it collapse. I manage to get a few shots of the stadium before and after and would like to share it with all of you. Please click photo to see the rest in this set. My question? Who to blame???

PULAU KAPAS RETREAT

I am just back from a short retreat after a very hectic pace of my routine works. I went to a small idyllic tropical island at East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia known as Pulau Kapas. Located less than 5km from the mainland and is reached within 15 minutes by speedboat from the coastal fishing village of Marang. Put up at Kapas Island Resort on the western shore facing the mainland. Pulau Kapas means Cotton Island and this peculiar name is attributed to the pure white beaches that are the trademark of the island. The name comes as no surprise once you have walked along these beaches, the sand is soft and white and slopes gently into the crystal clear water.
Another reason why Kapas Island is popular because of the excellent snorkeling activities around the island. There are a lot of treasures to be discover under the crystal clear surface of the water. Another 'must try' activity here is 'candat sotong' in Terengganuspeak or squid jiggling. Unfortunately I miss it as i didn't make earlier arrangement. This activity took place in April and May (peak time) each year. If you drive at night along coastal road between April to October, you will see a long rows of light at the sea which i used to call it Terengganu skyline. Those are the lights of squid jiggers.
On second day, I got a shocking wake up call from my sister. She told me that the roof of Terengganu Stadium collapsed. She was so concerned about the incident because the night before we were there at the bowling alley enjoying ourselves till after midnight. We were so lucky it didn't happened when we were there. I managed to take a few shots before it collapsed.
Kapas Island may be easy to reach but it is harder to leave this island after being immersed in its beauty especially during the night fall. By having said that, we were unfortunate because during our stay the sun was burning hot. We could only enjoy the beaches at late afternoon when the sun became more friendly to us. Please click photo to see the whole sets of Kapas Island memorabilia.