Saturday, February 6,2010.There was PAM Design Lecture Series organised by PAM in collaboration with National Art Gallery, embassy of Switzerland and Architecture+Design sponsored by Nippon Paint held at National Art Gallery’s auditorium, Kuala Lumpur. The speaker was the famous (can be considered) Master Architect, Mr. Mario Botta.
Mario Botta was born in Mendrisio, Ticino, Switzerland on April 1,1943 and has meet and work for Le Corbusier and Louis I Kahn in late 60s both of whom were influential in the development of his architectural vision and career beside Carlo Scarpa and Giuseppe Mazzariol.
Mario Botta design tend to include a strong sense of geometry, often base on very simple shapes, yet creating unique volumes of space. He mentioned that design does not only fulfil the technical and functional aspect of the building but have to consider the locality, culture and spirit of the place and creating a form that derived from symbolism and metaphor. His buildings are often made of brick, cut stone yet his use of material is wide, varied and unique.
His design house at Stabio (1981)featured in architectural magazine, famously known as Rotunda House was my first “encounter” with Mario Botta architectural style while I was in my 2nd year architectural courses at UTM, Jalan Gurney, Kuala Lumpur in 1983.Since then I was becoming a fan to his architectural works and followed closely until today.
It was a very colourful event that morning. The lecture was delivered in Mr. Botta own native language(maybe Italy or France....since there are four languages speaks in Switzerland) and translated clearly in English by Ar. Najib...(can ask Ar. Najib for sure what language was used).After almost nearly one and half hours of lecture and slide show finally its came to the end of it. I was the first person to ask question that morning to Mr. Mario Botta. So delighted with the warm atmosphere by listening to two different languages, I decided to ask a question in Bahasa Malaysia and off course being translated by Ar. Najib to Mr. Botta. The question was....”Apakah bangunan yang paling diminati oleh Mr.Botta dalam keseluruhan bangunan yang telah direkabentuk olehnya dan kenapa?”(What is the most admirable building you ever designed in all of your work done and why?).
After the translation have been done, Mr. Mario Botta smile and look at me and gave his answer and translated again by Ar. Najib as...” I like all my buildings and all my current projects and mostly I’ll love to see the new one coming and like to do it.”......Very bold and straight forward and honestly has transpire through his answer and showed how he was so passion with his architecture.
I smile at myself and as the other question from the floor roaming out for Mr. Botta....I recall back myself for all projects that I’ve done in my office and saying to myself...”Yes, you have done a great job and be thankful to Allah...,Alhamdulillah!”.......just to make myself aspire! After the session, I walk toward Mr. Mario Botta and ask for a photograph with him.!!.....and said to Ar. Sabra not to miss the photo session too....Thank you Mr.Botta.
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