Shaping Sarawak’s architectural landscape via tangible art

Ar. Mitchell Mos, an architect by profession, appears reserved at first glance. Yet beneath his quiet demeanour lies a person of wisdom and articulated mind, with extensive experience in the United Kingdom (UK), West Malaysia, and now back in his beloved Kuching, Sarawak.

The 47-year-old Kuching-born architect attended St. Joseph’s School for both primary and secondary education.

After completing Form 5 there at the age of 17, he pursued his Pre-University studies at the University of Malaya (UM), Kuala Lumpur.

Subsequently, he earned his Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Architecture, obtaining his LAM Part 1 architectural qualification.

In an interview with Sarawak Tribune recently, Mitchell explained that there are three parts of architectural qualifications in Malaysia.

“Upon finishing Part 1, after the degree. I worked for GDP Architects Sdn Bhd at Plaza Damansara for a year plus, I was involved in the design development phase of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) campus in Puncak Alam, Selangor.

“I then furthered my studies to the UK. I went to the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment, Robert Gordon University and obtained a Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Studies.

“So, with the Master of Science, I obtained the Part 2 architectural qualification, which is recognised both in Malaysia and in the UK,” he said.

Reflecting at the interesting pattern of events, Mitchell landed his Part 3, a professional examination of architectural qualification regulated by the Board of Architects Malaysia in Kuching – “Just now I said, Kuala Lumpur – Part 1, the UK – Part 2 and then Kuching – Part 3.”

Mitchell then quoted the late Steve Jobs as saying, “when you move along, there are dots that you make.”

 “You don’t see the connections as you go along, but looking back, you realise there’s a reason for each dot. After setting up my own practice in 2017, I reflected on my journey. I was born in 1977, and in 1987, despite being quiet and not very academically inclined, I achieved first place in my class at St. Joseph’s School.”

“In 1997, ten years later, I enrolled in a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Architecture at UM, KL.  By 2007, I completed my Part 2 in the UK and worked as an Assistant Architect in Edinburgh. Ten years after completing my Part 2, in 2017, I passed my Part 3 exams and started my own practice—those are all the significant ‘7s’,” he explained.

A eureka moment in the studio

“When I was in UM, to be honest with you I did not immediately want to be an architect, like many students at the time, we were searching for what we wanted to do.

“That’s something I always tell the students that – you are doing architecture, but that doesn’t mean you have to be an architect. It is okay, if you want to become something else other than an architect,” he said.

Mitchell said that architecture is a form of knowledge – it should not close your world as a person.  It should open your world.

“The world is a pool or an ocean of knowledge. In architecture you learn and obtain knowledge which you apply to many other areas and industries.

“How we understand the world, how you conceptualise ideas. The end product or process is to see a tangible conceptualisation. In architecture you think about these ideas which are – very idealistic, full of fantasy,” he said.

Recalling the moment which ignited him to pursue architecture was when he read a book one evening in his studio at his final year in UM.

Mitchell was reading a book entitled ‘Event-Cities 2’, which is part of a trilogy by Bernard Tschumi.

He borrowed it from the library and brought it to the studio one quiet evening, around 8 pm.

When he opened it, whether it was the preface or introduction, Mitchell read the first few paragraphs and instantly, it was like a revelation — a eureka moment.

The paragraphs described to him how architecture can be perceived from the very basis and existence of space.

Mitchell stressed that at the end of the day it has to be a tangible art that can be experienced, not only seen or touched but also experienced.

“I was like most children – I was not very sure of what I wanted to do, so that’s why I think I went to UM to pursue my studies in the Pre University course because that would give me the opportunity to see what are the courses that I can choose.

“There were friends who started to talk about architecture.  When I was in Pre-University, I didn’t like the idea, after one semester you go to an examination hall and you spend 2-3 hours in the hall. Then people will decide whether you pass or fail,” he said.

Mitchell questioned – How can a person’s future be decided in just 2-3 hours inside an exam hall, when life’s true essence lies in the vast world outside, shaped by human interactions?

He chose architecture because it involves studio-based learning, unlike many other courses.

“In architecture, you’re given a project for the entire semester to develop and submit. That’s what attracted me – no exams, continuous project work. I’ve always enjoyed drawing, like most children. Even though I come from a science background, I lean towards arts,” he said.

Mitchell explained that’s how he became interested in architecture and decided to pursue it despite not being initially offered a place. Although his grades didn’t meet the requirements for his desired course, he was determined to do architecture.  He began to know that he had to fight for what he desired from that beginning.

Architectural theory and philosophy

Mitchell who is the principal of his own architectural firm, ‘Mitchell Mos Architect’ located in Saradise, Kuching enjoys having discussions on design and architecture with his employees.

“Sometimes in my office with (my) interns and the fresh graduates, we will have one afternoon or lunch time. I’ll just let them present their works from their universities’ projects.

“So that everybody knows what are the styles or achitectural flairs from other members of the team. In architecture, we usually want to know who is your favourite architect, what is your favourite building, what is your favourite style and stuff like that,” he said.

He also shared about his interest in discussing architectural theory and philosophy, which led to his part-time teaching role at the UiTM, Kota Samarahan from 2017 to 2021.

“From my journey and experience, I’ve learned that architecture mirrors life itself, it’s crucial to stay current with our time and generation, connecting the present with the past and future.

“In architecture, staying relevant involves continuous reading, although architecture has emphasis on graphics and design,” he added.

Mitchell stressed that reading significantly influences how architects and designers think and reminded fellow aspiring architects that it is not just about reading within our own fields.

He said that architects should also explore diverse disciplines because our work and lives are interconnected with broader contexts.

Therefore, he urged architects, designers, and everyone else, to continue reading across various subjects that expose us to different perspectives and ideas, enriching our understanding and creativity.

“I enjoy reading, right now very much on history, sociology, philosophy and even fiction etc. When I relate them to architecture, I can read or rather perceive architecture into something meaningful.

“At the end of the day it is about creating something meaningful, then you will find it fulfilling,” he shared.

Speaking on Bernard Tschumi, Mitchell said that the Swiss architect has a significant influence on the way he thinks about architecture and read buildings and drawings.

“When I read that preface, there were no graphics or photos—just texts.

“Unlike (typical) architectural education that often promotes buildings with pretty images, what ignited my passion was not very much the visuals aspects of it.  I guess I was looking for something more, rather than something that satisfy the eyes alone.

“When you encounter something profound that resonates deeply within you, it can have a lasting impact. This is how I believe Bernard Tschumi influenced me; his architecture, for me, is not about graphic.  It is about substance, rather than form,” he added.

Nurturing new and local talents

The valuable knowledge shared by Mitchell was backed up by incredible amount of job experiences such as working at Holmes Partnership and John Thomson & Partners in Edinburgh, the UK.

Mitchell worked for United Consultants Architects Sdn Bhd when he returned to Kuching, Sarawak and among the projects that he was involved in were the schematic and design development phases of the new library and auditorium hall for Curtin University in Miri, Sarawak.

In 2019, his architectural practice started to collaborate with other practices in various projects in Sarawak.  These include the contract documentation, management and implementation phases for Panggau Dayak Towers, Kuching and in the schematic and design development phases for the Unit for Other Religion (UNIFOR) Complex, Kuching.

With a passion for the younger generation, Mitchell said that the future belongs to the younger generation and they should be given the right opportunities.

Providing words of advice to young architects, especially native architects, Mitchell shared his experience of how difficult it was to pursue architecture and that it required resilience to accomplish all three parts in the architectural qualifications.

“I do not come from a privileged family. So, this is going to be something that I have to fight for. I knew that from the very beginning.” he said.

Mitchell said that the journey won’t be easy especially when it comes to the natives, reflecting on his journey growing up as an ordinary student, he had to fight his way through.

“When I first completed my degree, I guess it was natural when people tend to look down on you, especially when you’re young, from a local university and from Sarawak,” he said.

Adding further, it is his hope that the current generation, especially in Sarawak, will be given more opportunities to pursue and excel in this field.

“This includes educational, jobs as well as business prospects, allowing more young natives to be given the right opportunities,” he said.

In Malaysia, he added that there’s often a perception, regarding local versus overseas university education, and regional origins like Sarawak.

Therefore, he stressed that this can lead to comparisons and sometimes negative stereotypes, while not all perceptions are negative, they can impact opportunities and interactions, even in the professional settings.

“People will respect and trust you, but you have to earn it. Once you prove yourself, then people will trust and respect you.

So, my hope, to answer your question about natives, is that they should be given more opportunities. Like myself, it’s not that there were no opportunities, but I had to fight for them. There are not many exposures as well. They should be encouraged and made aware of this profession,” he said.

On a separate matter, Mitchell shared about the Youth Innovative Interior Design & Architecture Challenge 2024 (YIIDEC 2024), an annual event participated regularly by universities in Malaysia.

“We won four awards – Best Sustainable Condominium Design, Emerging Designer, Best Presenter and Judges’ Choice Award.  Judge’s Choice Award was a special award that night,” he said.

During the night of the award dinner and presentation, he described it as a moment that highlighted Sarawak’s talent, emphasising that with the right opportunities, Sarawakians can shine, demonstrate their abilities and eventually contribute to nation building.