"I Want To Be Called An Architect!"

The title as it may suggests is not a statement made by me hence the inverted commas.

I am currently attending a 4 day course held at the headquarter of the Architect's Branch, PWD. In the 1st day of the course, at one point the speaker asked the audience who has become the registered member of LAM (Malaysia's Board of Architect). To my surprise as I was being honest at that time, I'm the only one who didn't raise the hand and somehow I was spotted by the speaker.

Before that, describing the situation I was in, it was a course called "The Architectural Basics". The title made me wonder, are they going to teach me how to walk again? However, after downloading the attachments from the confirmation of participation, I learned that it is a course formulated for newly recruited architects in PWD. So, why not? This might be useful to me because as a former private practitioner, I am currently at lost trying to figure out how the construction industry is being run from the government's perspective.

Considering me as a freshie as I joined PWD together with my super junior way back in UTM (they were at the other end of the spectrum in the cycle of an undergraduate in the school of architecture, where at the other end, I am just few months away from graduation), I am however suppose to be in advanced position if I were to accumulate the experience I had in the industry compared to the rest of the audience who raised their hands.

But, everyone except me? Even the newly grads? I even heard little laugh of mockery from the audience.

I am in no position to question their membership because they are indeed a qualified member of the board when they graduated. The thing is, it made me stood out from the rest and definitely I was asked the question - Why?

Caught off guard, however I calmly answered (and definitely it's not the best!) "Masih cari halatuju (still looking for directions)". It is partly true because I am still looking for directions in my life but it is actually not the exact answer for that question.

I am with intention not making myself a registered member of the board (and the association too - PAM) because I don't think in any way it patronizes me as a working class architect. Personally, I think these bodies are only useful for those with agendas - the professionals, mostly. Apart from as a tool for keeping the profession safe and guarded, respected and being professed accordingly with best ethics, it is also a tool that works well for the major players too - the professionals, as it also keeps them safe and guarded, etc. How about those who works for the professionals? To me, the question itself posed a major void to be filled with answers therefore I'm not going to elaborate the question further.

Someone will say, but at least it's the first step of becoming a professional architect. Being realistic, I know that to become a professional architect, the road is long and probably does not parallel with where I want to be.

I was naive as a fresh graduate, believing I could face the hurdles in becoming a successful architect. Little that I know what the hurdles are or how high I'd have to jump over it. After few ups and more downs, it strengthens my belief that a certain amount of achievements are cemented on a strong base of great sacrifices. To be a great architect, I'd have to give up my life - the life that I've modelled as how I want it to be. I have my priority.

-Merdeka, A Mere Rethoric?

From my point of view, to most young architects, joining these bodies is all about obtaining the title of a professional architect. The question posed by the speaker was a follow up to her previous statement of being a professional architect is the pinnacle in an architect's career. In her response to my weak answer, she replied that the least you can get from the title of a professional architect is to be respected by others (and all the glories of being called an architect) which is to me, something that is usually used to buy a 17-year old's conviction to join the profession.

Looking in a wider context, I know it was a "time out" question asked in between topics of the course therefore I was unwillingly contented with my weak answer and opted not to prolong the discourse. However, if it were the right place and the right time, I would really love to ask her and the audience only one question,

What would you do with your professional title?

With this basic question being asked, I know it brought a wider spectrum of possibilities and uncertainties of becoming a professional architect. And by the term "a wider spectrum", I really meant more than just "I want to open up my own practice" as an answer. Having years of experience being in various point of view to the construction industry, architecturally specifically, I wish them good luck of becoming a professional architect.

I wonder why is it Kamil Merican of GDP and John Ding of Unit One hasn't got their professional license yet but somehow have successfully built up and run their own practice of award winning design firm. Being smart or lagging in career?

For the mockery, please read the last paragraph from this post.

Okay, I know somehow I have to be a registered member as part of the requirement for government servant :P