Awards galore for Bernadette
RECEIVING national awards and recognition is not something new for KBU International College alumnus Bernadette Quah. She bagged another notable award, Asia Pacific Interior Design Award for Elite Shanghai 2011 (APDC Award) and Liangzhitian Design Education First Prize students’ category - adding to the already huge collection of awards.
The first prize was given in hon-our of the PPK Kindergarten Project-a proposal to upgrade an existing site in the 3C complex, Subang Jaya.
When asked about the concept and what inspired the project, Quah said: “The concept ‘Cycle of Thought’ applied in the PPK Kindergarten project was inspired by the ample outdoor and indoor space available and its potential to be better utilised.
“The concept highlights the thought of process and spatial interaction between a child and the learning environment as a stimulating way of education.”
She added that the space is designed to encourage pedagogy of interaction between environment, parents, teachers and kids.
“However, the concept of ‘Truth in Materials’ I used aims to reduce the use of material surface treatments and celebrate its natural character.
“Bare concrete walls, recycled timber and local bamboo are the main materials used in the design,” said Quah.
“I am thankful for the awards, but these are not my biggest achievements. Awards are only worth something if they help you gain real respect from your peers and being thought of well by people you think highly of,” she added.
The 22-year-old alumnus also said that the one thing that keeps her going on this journey of multidisciplinary learning is the fact that she has nothing to lose and everything to gain.
”I believe in taking risks and working with genuine interest to make ideas happen,” she said.
She also added that it was tough when she was first introduced to the interior design course in KBU.
”All the interior design terms and conceptual thinking seemed so foreign to me. However, pursuing internships with a variety of design firms helped me to shape my mindset,” she said.
”The best thing l learnt in my college years as a student was to ‘design’ my life. In KBU, I was exposed to finding solutions to obstacles that blocked my way, in my effort to achieve great things. I found ways to create openings to let in the light.”
She also talked highly of the college, “KBU lecturers were kind in letting me pursue what I wanted while making sure I did not go off the track. All the lessons learnt throughout my educational journey will surely be essential for me to serve the community as a designer.”
The multi-talented alumnus also grabbed the first prize for IAI Award Green Global Award, Shanghai 2011 and the honorary mention of Nippon Young Designer Award for 2011- Eco Design for better living.
For further details, contact KBU International College, Bandar Utama 03-7727 3200, e-mail enquiry@kbu.edu.my or visit www.kbu.edu.my. You can also join KBU at http://facebook.com/kbuinternational