Kota Kinabalu: Architects in Sabah and Borneo must move beyond conventional approaches while preserving the region’s cultural identity and environmental values, said Malaysia Institute of Architects (PAM) Sabah Chapter Chairman Daniel Koh Chung Hou.
He said the Borneo Architecture Festival (BAF) 2026 theme, “Transcendence”, called on the profession to rethink architecture amid climate change, new technologies, artificial intelligence and changing lifestyles.
Koh said transcendence should mean taking what was uniquely Borneo and pushing it forward, while learning from tradition without being trapped by it and using technology without losing the human touch.
Meanwhile, PAM Vice President Dato’ Zulkhairi Md Zain called for greater collaboration among PAM chapters and across sectors, as well as continuous professional development to keep pace with digital tools, sustainable materials and changing urban policies.
He said true transcendence required unity and a shared vision within the architectural community to continuously evolve and design for a better future.
