The Journey Of An Architect

To award-winning architect Ar. Razin Mahmood, architecture is more than just providing shelter – it’s about providing a way of life.

Meet Ar. Razin Mahmood, FPAM, the Founder and Principal Architect of his eponymous practice, Razin Architects Sdn Bhd. Based in Johor, this architect is known for his range of works, from large-scaled and high-profile projects to luxury residential ones. His architecture style is simplistic and straightforward, carrying with it a sense of pragmatism and unique artistry. Some of his best known projects include the Masjid Daing Abdul Rahman and his very own home, the Denai House.

Growing up in a small village in Johor, Ar. Razin did not know much about architecture until he enrolled in a boarding school in Perak. At the time, he developed a passion for sketching, and his notebooks were filled with random sketches and doodles of his teacher’s faces and artwork based on popular rock bands. In fact, he used to pass his time by designing T-shirts and greeting cards for his school.

He has come a long way since those boarding school days. He initially decided to pursue architecture because he thought it sounded unique. Unbeknownst to him, you have to do a lot of reading – which he didn’t excel in – and be good at math and science subjects in order to be an architect. Still, he persevered. During his second year at Louisiana State University in the US, he discovered the true meaning of architecture – it was the art and science of buildings, and it plays a significant role in shaping our lives.

“I’ve never looked back since,” Ar. Razin says. “I travelled a lot during my student days, and I made a point to visit the buildings designed by famous architects then, as an effort to understand architecture better.”

He still has that habit today. To him, architecture is not just about providing a roof over your head and ensuring you have enough space to park your cars. Instead, successful architecture is about creating feel-good spaces that will influence one’s day-to-day living. He quotes Winston Churchill, who said, “We shape our buildings and thereafter the buildings shape us.”

Having run a small firm for the past 25 years, Ar. Razin has received many recognitions and accolades through the years. He was invited to speak about the city of Johor Bahru at the UN Habitat Urban Forum during the Shanghai World’s Fair in 2010. He was also the first speaker at Datum KL International Design Conference in 2013, where he spoke about his work in front of almost 3000 architects from Malaysia and the region. He was also one of the 100 Architects of the Year in 2014 by Korean Institute of Architects, and was conferred as the Golden Emerging Malaysian Architect by Indian Architecture and Design Magazine Cera Awards in 2014. Needless to say, Ar. Razin has accomplished plenty during his career, making him a well-respected figure in the industry.

In his personal life, however, he has also achieved a lot. He takes great pride in his family home, which he designed. Named the Denai House, it was actually selected to be on the cover of a coffee table book. In October last year, Ar. Razin has successfully come up with his own monograph titled Blurring Boundaries, which depicts a collection of his selections of works within 25 years of practice. According to him, this lifetime dream item would not be made possible without the help from Dr Tan Loke Mun, who has orchestrated the publication of the book through Atelier International. What made it more special was the fact that the foreword has been personally written by Professor Robert Powell, a renowned writer on tropical architecture.

Of course, he has also faced plenty of challenges. One of the hardest parts of this line of work is getting the client to agree with my proposal. Ar. Razin says he and his team would like to be seen as problem solvers.” We try very hard to understand the real ‘problems’ or needs on the client’s side and would try to propose a design solution that would not only satisfy their requirements but would also have a unique look and feel,” he says. “We are so grateful when a client come to us with full understanding of our approach.

But Ar. Razin knows that architecture is not for everyone. He understands that architecture is a very tumultuous course to pursue, as it can sometimes be very subjective. It is not definite like mathematics. “One day you get praises for proposing a rectangular efficient building, while the next day you get shot down for being too plain and not being creative,” he says.

His advice for up-and-coming architects is to believe in themselves and not to expect instant returns or recognitions. “One thing for sure, every human being needs shelter,” he reminds. “Every commercial or industrial activity will require a proper workplace. Every country will need schools, airport and hospitals. An architect will have a role to play in almost all aspects of the built environment.”

Although the advancements of technology means that jobs in fields such as architecture could be taken over by artificial intelligence, Ar. Razin believes that an AI cannot replace the creative feel, and there will always be something special about having an architect custom design a building for you. Of course, architects should still arm themselves with the latest knowledge in trends and technology, but should also maintain the sensitive consideration on the psychological effects of their creations.

“Creating successful designs is also about satisfying the senses,” Ar. Razin says. “Remember – architecture is in fact the art and science of buildings.