Study Trip on Green & Sustainable Residential Design

Year 2 Students Explore Sustainable Residential Design in Subang Jaya

On 28 January 2026, a group of Year 2 students from the BA (Hons) Interior Architecture & Design programme, accompanied by lecturer CK Foo, participated in an educational site visit focused on green and sustainable residential building design.

The study trip featured visits to two award-winning residential projects in Subang Jaya, designed by AATA (Atelier Alan Teh Architect). Personally guided by the architects themselves and generously supported by the homeowners, the visit offered students invaluable first-hand exposure to real-life sustainable living environments. During the site visits, students took part in guided walkthroughs led by the AATA architects, who explained the sustainable strategies integrated into each project. These included material selection, passive design principles, spatial planning, and environmental responsiveness.

Students also conducted on-site observation and documentation, recording design strategies and taking physical measurements of structural and building services components related to sustainable performance. This hands-on approach allowed them to directly connect theoretical knowledge with built realities. The visit included in-depth discussion sessions with the AATA designers and direct interaction with homeowners. These conversations provided insight into design workflows, sustainability-driven decision-making, and the real-world constraints faced in professional architectural practice.

The study trip strongly supported the learning outcomes of the Building Technology & Services module, helping students understand how sustainable principles are translated from concept to construction. It also highlighted the close relationship between architecture, interior design, lifestyle, and environmental responsibility.

Student Reflections

• OOI Qi Earn highlighted the value of direct communication with both the architect and the homeowner, gaining a clearer understanding of the full design process from initial concept to project handover.

• NG Chuan Yuan appreciated the architects’ guidance, noting that the visit broadened his understanding of green building strategies, particularly contextual design and the concept of subtraction in architecture.

• NG Wei Shan expressed gratitude to the architects, homeowners, and lecturer, describing the houses as inspiring and the experience as both educational and memorable.

• KUAN Ern Qi found the on-site experience especially meaningful, explaining that being physically present allowed for a deeper understanding of materials, spatial quality, and the lived experience of sustainable design beyond classroom learning. 

This educational site visit provided students with a rich and immersive learning experience in sustainable residential design. The professional guidance from AATA architects, together with the generosity and hospitality of the homeowners, greatly enriched students’ understanding of sustainability from both architectural and interior design perspectives.

Such experiential learning opportunities play a vital role in shaping future designers who are environmentally conscious, socially responsible, and professionally prepared.

Exploring Design Opportunities in Kajang Town

On 21 January 2026, as part of the Design Studies, students embarked on a field exploration to Kajang Town, Selangor, to identify potential design opportunities within a real urban context. Known for its vibrant food culture and its distinctive blend of heritage shophouses and contemporary developments, Kajang presents a rich and layered setting for contextual and community‑responsive design exploration.

A key highlight of the visit was a session at the Kajang Heritage Centre, where students gained valuable insights into the town’s historical and cultural development. Guided by Mr. Lee, the students were introduced to Kajang’s heritage narratives, community stories, and the everyday lives of earlier generations. This experience deepened their understanding of Kajang’s identity and how its past continues to influence the town today.

The visit continued with an engaging dialogue session involving Mr. Lee and Majlis Perbandaran Kajang (MPKj) Town Councillor, Mr. Ong SP. During the discussion, students explored Kajang’s urban context, planning direction, and community needs, enabling them to better appreciate the town’s current challenges and future opportunities. This exchange provided valuable clarity and direction before students began developing their design proposals.

Reflecting on the experience, students shared their perspectives:

“Understanding Kajang’s heritage gives our design a stronger sense of purpose and responsibility. It helps us design with respect for the town’s identity.”
— Chan Pei Ni

“The dialogue session helped us see how design can directly support the town and its community. It gave us clearer direction before starting our project.”
— Low Le Tao

Overall, the visit served as a meaningful foundation for informed, context‑driven design exploration rooted in respect for the town’s heritage and identity.

 

Discovering History Through Spatial Design: A Study Visit to Petaling Street

On 16 January 2026, students from the Bachelor of Interior Architecture and Design (BIAD) and the Diploma in Interior Design (DID) programmes participated in an educational field trip titled “Discovering History Through Spatial Design: A Visit to Yan Keng Benevolent Dramatic Association and Beryl’s Chocolate at Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur.”

A total of 51 students took part in the study visit, comprising 15 BIAD students from Design Studio 3 and 36 DID students from Interior Design 5. The primary objective of the trip was to familiarise students with spatial storytelling, cultural heritage, and the historical layers embedded within Petaling Street, one of Kuala Lumpur’s oldest and most culturally rich urban districts.

Group photo at Yan Keng Benevolent Dramatic Association

At Beryl's Chocolate Shop

Through on-site observations, students explored how adaptive reuse strategies are applied within heritage buildings and examined the influence of commercial architecture in historic contexts. This hands-on learning experience encouraged students to critically analyse spaces from historical, contextual, and human-centred perspectives, offering valuable insights to inform and enrich their future design practices.

A highlight of the visit was the opportunity for students to meet the owner of the Yan Keng Benevolent Dramatic Association, who shared firsthand accounts of the building’s history and its cultural significance. This direct engagement provided students with deeper understanding of how intangible heritage, beliefs, and traditions are preserved and expressed through spatial design.

Reflecting on the experience, one student shared:

“The visit to the Yan Keng Building and Beryl’s Chocolate allowed me to see how cultural beliefs are translated into spatial design, deepening my appreciation of how architectural spaces convey stories through their materials, layout, and symbolism.”
— Carlos Lee Ming Jun, Design Studio 3 Student, BIAD

Site Investigation

 

Compiling and checking on measurements

 Taking Site Measurement

Overall, the study visit served as a meaningful platform for experiential learning, bridging academic knowledge with real-world heritage environments and reinforcing the importance of context-sensitive design in interior architecture.

Daikin Youth Design Competition 2025

The Daikin Youth Design Competition 2025 reached its peak on 20 November at the Daikin Malaysia Customer Care Centre, bringing together young designers to present their works inspired by this year’s theme, “Echoes of the Heart.”

Hay Wen Xuan from Diploma in Interior Design and Yap Jet Yee from Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Interior Architecture and Design participated with energy and dedication, presenting thoughtful and original design concepts.

Both students impressed the panel of industry judges with the originality, narrative depth, and emotional resonance of their projects. Their works earned them places among the Top 10 Finalists in the Residential and Commercial categories. In recognition of their achievements, Wen Xuan and Jet Yee were each awarded the Bronze Award in their respective categories, stressing their creativity, passion, and ability to translate heartfelt ideas into practical design solutions.

Hay Wen Xuan shared, “This competition reminded me that design is more than visuals. It is a language of emotion — Echoes of the Heart pushed me to create with sincerity, and I’m truly grateful that my work could resonate with others.” Yap Jet Yee added, “Being part of Daikin Youth Design Competition 2025 taught me the importance of staying authentic in a digital era. Winning bronze is an honour, but the real achievement is learning to design with purpose and heart.”

The event concluded successfully, leaving students motivated to continue designing with intention and emotional impact.

Youth Innovative Interior Design Challenge (YIIDEC) 2025

Celebrating Creativity & Innovation at YIIDEC 2025! 

The Youth Innovative Interior Design Challenge (YIIDEC) 2025 Award Gala on 7 November 2025 was an inspiring evening dedicated to honoring young Malaysian designers for their creativity, innovation, and excellence in interior design.  

Representatives and students from First City University College (FCUC)’s Interior Architecture & Design programme joined the prestigious event, which featured an elegant dinner, captivating performances, and the presentation of the main and special awards.

YIIDEC initiated by Rekatone.com champions sustainable and inclusive design aligned with the UN SDG 2030 framework, encouraging students to create high-quality interior spaces that positively impact communities while embracing local culture, materials, and details.

🏆 Congratulations to our FCUC winners and finalists!

• Best Bungalow Design (Winner): Lee Chee Yen

• Best F&B Design (Finalist): Hor Wen Cong

• Best Retail Design (all winners are from FCUC!) 
• Finalists: Lee Hao Thang, Alice Lee Kim Lan
• Winners: Desmond Saw Wei Zheng, Justina Lee Yi, Lee Chai Xuan

• Best Sustainable & ESG Design (Winner): Lim Lee Tong, Cheng Ming Hui

👏 We are proud of our students for showcasing innovation and excellence on a national stage!

#YIIDEC2025 #InteriorDesign #FCUC #Innovation #Sustainability #DesignExcellence

Study Trip to Paragon Carpet and De'Nation

CONNECTING DESIGN THEORY WITH REAL-WORLD PRACTICE: INTERIOR DESIGN STUDENTS EXPLORE INTERIOR PRODUCTS AND FINISHING MATERIALS

On 21 October 2025, Diploma in Interior Design students went on a field trip to Paragon Carpet Distributor in Balakong and De’Nation Interior Design Showroom in Jalan Klang Lama, where they explored the latest material innovations and gained insight into real-world production processes.

At Paragon Carpet, students gained firsthand exposure to the intricate stages of carpet manufacturing, from yarn preparation and tufting to backing and finishing. They also learned how sustainable practices, quality control, and digital design technologies are integrated into modern production processes.

Next is the visit to De’Nation further expanded students’ perspectives on interior material applications. Through exposure to a wide range of finishes, furnishings, and modern design solutions, students explored diverse interior elements such as wallpaper, curtain systems, and SPC flooring.

Diploma in Interior Design Semester 2 student Lau Yu Kee shared, “The trips to both Paragon Carpet and De’Nation were very insightful as they provided a comprehensive understanding of the production process, from the initial stages to the final outcomes.”

Similarly, Semester 3 student Chloe Lee reflected, “The field trips were very fruitful and provided valuable exposure to various materials and finishes. The visit to the carpet factory allowed us to observe firsthand how cut pile carpets are produced using specialized machinery, deepening our understanding of manufacturing processes. The interactive Q&A session at the end made the learning experience more engaging, and it was encouraging that three of us won prizes.”

Through these field trips, students learned to apply classroom knowledge to real industry practices, understand the importance of sustainable and innovative design, and see how material choices shape the look, feel, and function of a space. Students also strengthened their critical thinking and professional skills, preparing them to succeed as emerging design professionals.

MIID Students’ Saturday 27:12

First City University College’s Interior Architecture and Design students proudly showcased their creativity and future-forward thinking at the MIID Students’ Saturday 27:12, held on 11 October 2025 at SEGI University, Kota Damansara. The event, themed “Speculative”, was organised by the Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers (MIID) and hosted by SEGI University, bringing together interior design institutions from across Malaysia to explore the future of design and challenge creative boundaries.

Students from both the Diploma in Interior Design (DID) and Bachelor of Interior Architecture and Design (BIAD) programmes participated enthusiastically in various competition categories, including Ideation, Installation Art, Sketching, and Recycled Material Sculpture. Their innovative ideas and design excellence earned them widespread recognition and a remarkable collection of awards.

---

🏆 FCUC Winners Highlights

Ideation (Design Competition) – Diploma Level

• Residential Design: Hey Wen Xuan – 2nd Place
• Commercial Design: Ooi Qi Earn – Honourable Mention, Chong Jian Min – 3rd Place
• Integrated Design: Lim Lee Tong – Honourable Mention

Ideation (Design Competition) – Degree Level

• Commercial Design: Lee Chai Xuan – 1st Place
• Hospitality Design: Cheng Jia Hao – Honourable Mention, Kimberly Oddie – 2nd Place
• Integrated Design: Yap Jet Yee – 3rd Place

Exposition (Installation Art)

• Lim Tong Ern, Yap Li Xuan, Kong Yuen Theng & Lee Wei Yan – 1st Place

Scribbling (Sketching) – Lecturer Category

• Ar. IDr Tan Yee Ling – 1st Place

Curating (Art on Surface) – Intervarsity

• Hor Yi Wen & Kong Shi Yi – 2nd Place

Artvgnza (Recycled Material Sculpture) – Intervarsity

• Natalie Wong Zi Ning – 3rd Place
• Cherish Anabelle – 1st Place

💬 Student Reflections

Chloe Lee, a Diploma in Interior Design student, shared:

“This event truly pushed us out of our comfort zones. It wasn’t just about design—it was about imagination, experimentation, and expressing our vision of the future.”

Hey Wen Xuan added:

“Seeing so many creative works reignited my passion for design. Malaysia’s young designers are bold, expressive, and ready to challenge conventions.”

MIID SEED PROGRAMME

The Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers (MIID) officially launched the MIID SEED Program on 7 October 2025 at the Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur. The event was officiated by YBhg. Datuk Professor Dr. Azlinda Azman, Director General of Higher Education.

The launch featured the handover of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) and Letter of Agreement (LoA) to participating universities, formalising partnerships designed to guide and support Interior Design graduates toward professional recognition and career success. Representatives from First City University College’s Faculty of Design and Built Environment, including Dean Assist Prof Chua Huwi Huwi and Ts Wayne Ng, Head of Programme for BA (Honours) Interior Architecture and Design, attended the ceremony.

Reflecting on the initiative, Assist Prof Chua Huwi Huwi shared, “The MIID SEED Program provides a valuable platform for our graduates to bridge the gap between education and industry, helping them achieve their professional goals.”

The programme will empower Interior Design students with mentorship, industry insights, and career opportunities, equipping them to transition confidently into the professional world and thrive as future leaders in design.

SEQUENCE 2025: FROM SPARK TO SPECTACLE

From 26 to 28 September 2025, First City University College celebrated the 23rd anniversary of its Sequence Showcase with the theme “Spark to Spectacle.”

Held at The School, Jaya One, the showcase presented the works of 55 graduating students from six design programmes, including interior architecture, furniture design, graphic design and fashion marketing. The event was officiated by Adjunct Professor IDr Joe Chan Wan Hoe, Deputy President of the Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers.

Graduation Showcase Group Photo

From Left, Assist Prof Chua HH, Tan Sri Teoh CL, Prof Dr Saw SH and IDr Joe Chan

Event Launching

Best Showcase Awards Recipients

A total of 16 awards were presented during the showcase, including 6 Best Showcase Awards across programmes and 10 special awards recognizing perseverance, creativity, leadership, collaboration, and impact.

Gratitude was extended to all sponsors who contributed to the success of this year’s Design Showcase.

🔶 Gold Sponsor - SNK X Solutions

⚪ Silver Sponsors - Radius Arts & Crafts, UNLTD Design PLT and Mummy Design

The showcase also featured public activities such as workshops and craft booths, extending the celebration to the wider community.

Appreciation is once again extended to all sponsors for their role in empowering the next generation of designers.