This summer, under the guidance of Associate Professor Chen Hsuan-Cheng, students from Chung Yuan Christian University’s Department of Architecture traveled to Malaysia for an overseas study and exchange program. During their time there, they collaborated with local architects and cultural historians in Kuching to launch the exhibition “Collaboration with the Land: Collective Memories of Kenyalang.” The exhibition garnered strong local support and praise, not only showcasing Chung Yuan’s architectural expertise but also offering new perspectives on future spatial development in the area, fulfilling the university’s commitment to social responsibility.
Over nearly three weeks in August, eight second-year architecture students from Chung Yuan conducted extensive field research. They interviewed numerous shop owners and residents, visited schools such as Kuching Town Middle School and Chung Hua Primary School No. 5, as well as the Sam San Buddhist Hall, where they performed site measurements, photography, and sketching. The students also met with Kuching South City Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng to present their research findings from Kenyalang, offering various recommendations for spatial improvements and cultural preservation.
Mayor Wee Hong Seng personally attended the “Collaboration with the Land: Collective Memories of Kenyalang” exhibition, where Professor Chen provided an on-site tour. The mayor highly praised the students’ work in Kenyalang, emphasizing the significance of this meaningful collaboration and expressing his hope for further in-depth cooperation on beautifying and organizing the Kenyalang Park area. The exhibition also received full support from the local organization, the Kenyalang Park Residents’ Association.
Professor Chen Hsuan-Cheng remarked that in the “Collaboration with the Land: Collective Memories of Kenyalang” exhibition, students explored and presented the collective historical memories and the current spatial state of the land through a series of drawings. These illustrations not only demonstrated the students’ understanding of the local space but also emphasized how to make these collective memories “visible.” What the students depicted was not merely the tangible architectural spaces and structures, but also a visual representation of the local lifestyle and community memories. These memories, in turn, form the foundation for future design development.
Kuching cultural historian Chua Jee Hsiang noted that the Kenyalang community, with over 50 years of history, is Kuching’s first satellite town and one of its most familiar neighborhoods. Because of this, Kenyalang holds a place in the memories of everyone in the area. This is why the theme “Collective Memories of Kenyalang” was chosen for the community exhibition, a collaboration between Kuching and Taiwan. Despite the limited time and the fact that this was the first visit to Kuching for the Chung Yuan students, the exhibition revealed their remarkable attention to detail and care in their work.
In his opening remarks at the exhibition, Professor Chen Hsuan-Cheng praised the Kenyalang community for its rich character and warm atmosphere. He also expressed gratitude to the local residents for their care and hospitality toward the students during their stay, which provided the students with a wealth of experiences. The students shared that neighbors treated them to meals, sometimes refused to accept payment when they bought things, and continuously offered snacks and pastries, making them feel the full warmth of the Kuching community. They enthusiastically exclaimed that they want to return next year! “For the Kenyalang community, I feel there is a new collective gathering here, as if many things can continue to evolve,” Chen expressed, hoping for more sparks of creativity and vitality to emerge, bringing new energy to the community’s future.
