A passion for giving back

 

IT is a quarter past one in the afternoon at Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM) Centre at Jalan Tangsi when Datuk Tan Pei Ing walks in. “I have not had my lunch yet,” she says, and seems relaxed despite having several more engagements lined up during the day.

“As an architect, professionalism, passion and integrity are very important, and you must always give your best,” she asserts. “In terms of contract administration, you act as an independent party, so the moment you start showing favouritism is when problems arise, and you may be motivated to do certain things for personal gain.”

Quizzed about her nickname of “Iron Lady”, she responds, “Do I look like one?”

“I do not think I am one. Perhaps it was because of my firmness. When you go to sites and deal with contractors, you have to command a certain level of respect and I do not take nonsense very well ... I am quite tough with them.

“Being in a male-dominated industry, there is definitely a lot of gender bias, there is a general misconception that female architects cannot handle contractors. You tend to get bullied at construction sites ... these are the kind of hurdles you face. But when you build the respect, gradually, people will start to listen to you ... it is a long process,” she says. “At the end of the day, you cannot please everyone. What is important is whether you feel you have done the right thing based on your own conscience.”

Tan has a long list of credentials under her belt. In 2001, she became the first woman president of PAM in 80 years. She was also the first female president of Architects Regional Council Asia (Arcasia) — an organisation comprising 19 architectural institutes in Asia.

Awards for her work include The Women of Excellence Award 2014, and Construction Leading Lady 2015 at the Malaysian Construction Industry Excellence Awards, organised by the Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia.

Tan was selected as one of 10 icons in the Malaysia architectural fraternity featured in the exhibition Architects Global Acclaim.

Tan says she wants to be recognised for her work. “I am a professional. I want to be judged based on my work and contributions, not just for being a woman. What matters most is the work, and I want to be recognised because of my capabilities, not my gender.”

She is currently doing a project with the International Islamic University of Malaysia (UIA) to address gender equality problems.

 ”There is definitely a rise in the number of female architecture students, but somehow, when it is translated into professional practice, the numbers are significantly lower. Surveys reveal factors of family, society conception, lack of job opportunities and even pay disparity. However, I do not believe special privileges should be given to female architects,” Tan says.

“There has always been this gap, and it is unfortunate, as I truly believe females are just as capable of contributing to the field and to society. But I am seeing more female architects in the field becoming directors and partners. However, most of them do not own their own practice. Independent practices by female architects are still lacking, and there is still plenty of room for growth,” she adds.

Humble beginnings

Tan’s journey to becoming an architect was not easy. “I grew up in a close-knit family, in a small shophouse in Kajang. We were poor and our living conditions at the time were not good. But after a while, we managed to save up some money and move to a single-storey home, and it made a huge difference. And I began to realise how important developments are and how they can impact one’s life.

“I began to develop an interest in architecture when I was 15. I had a friend who was involved with PAM, and he started encouraging me to look more into it. I started reading more about it. I became determined to pursue architecture when I went to Taylor’s College for my matriculation,” she recalls. “I find that architecture, being a combination of art and science, is best suited for my character. I enjoy the fact that it is constructive.

“I pursued my studies in architecture in Melbourne from 1980 to 1984. When I returned to Kuala Lumpur, we were going through an economic slump. It was hard to get a job, especially as a female architect, and I even got retrenched at one point.

“Times were really bad, and I was working with little or virtually no pay, just to get the experience. Due to the economic slump in the 1980s, property development was slow, but after a while, especially under the leadership of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, we started to witness the transformation of the Kuala Lumpur skyline. It was an exciting time to see all these skyscrapers coming up in the city. I was fascinated by the rapid transformation and I remember thinking I wanted to be part of it.”

Tan says a lot has changed since the 1980s. “The industry has shown a lot of progress. Today, a lot more policies are in place to improve the construction industry, and to promote sustainable and responsible developments.”

“Eventually, I got attached to a developer, and managed to complete my professional paper. After receiving my part three at the age of 28, I set up my own practice, PI Architect, as sole proprietor,” she says.

PI Architect has been involved in several notable projects, including IOI Mall & IOI Mall Extension, IOI Business Park, clubhouses, serviced apartments, shops, office buildings, industrial buildings and the Marriot Hotel in Putrajaya. Its most recent job was IOI City Mall in Putrajaya, which was completed in 2014.

Driven and compassionate, Tan strongly believes in giving back. In 1999, she established the “Architects Meet The Public” forum, which provides free services to members of the public who have problems related to the industry.

In 2012, through PAM, she started “Architecture on Humanity” — a volunteer non-profit organisation to promote architecture and design and seek solutions for global, social and humanitarian crises.

During her term as Arcasia president, Tan introduced the inaugural Post Forum Event for social responsibility in Nepal in 2013, which covered issues such as disaster preparedness, post-disaster management and affordable housing. She initiated action and donation drives to seek support from Arcasia members for the Philippines when Typhoon Haiyan struck on Nov 2, 2013.

When an earthquake shook Nepal in April 2015, she worked closely with Arcasia to raise donations and offer technical support.

Tan was also involved in a few school projects, including SJKC Tsun and SJKC Ladang Harcoft on a pro-bono basis.

She makes regular donations to Badan Kebajikan Anggota Perkhidmatan Negara, sponsors students for overseas field study trips and supports two children from a home in Ipoh.

“What drives me to be involved in all these institutes is passion. I am very passionate about these causes .... I find that I have learnt a lot,” she says.

She hopes more attention can be focused on architecture’s social responsibility. “It is not just about building iconic buildings and beautiful facades, it is about being responsible in the context of how it impacts people and the environment, and also having the right functions.”

Tan has been an active member of the Board of Architects Malaysia (LAM) since 2001.

She was involved in the drafting of amendments to the Architect’s Act.

PI Architect is presently working on several projects. “We are currently focused on building Phase Two of IOI City Mall as well as other projects, including IOI City Towers, the Le Meridien Hotel in IOI City, and JAKs headquarters, and we are very excited about the projects,” says Tan.

When she is not working or running to meetings, she spends her time with her family.

“Looking back, life is too short. I have lost some people who are dear to me. One of the biggest regrets was not being able to spend a bit more time with my younger brother before he passed away as I was too busy working. Today, no matter how busy I am, I try to spend as much time as I can with my family and my parents.”

“I like to travel, and my work gives me the opportunity to do so. I enjoy exploring new cities. Every time I can get a few hours off from working, I will walk around to experience the city that I am in. At the end of this year, I plan to take my family to see the Northern Lights,” she says with a smile.

This article first appeared in City & Country, a pullout of The Edge Malaysia Weekly, on Sept 12, 2016. Subscribe here for your personal copy.