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For many architects, their work is a solitary pursuit. They might receive a brief or guidance, but the lion’s share of their output is done at the drawing board, turning imagination into a blueprint for a new reality.
At leading Malaysian architectural firm Akitek Akiprima, Managing Director Cheah Kah Lip does things a little differently.
“When we take on a project, we do it as a team,” he tells The CEO Magazine. “When we get into trouble, we find a solution together; when we complete a project, we celebrate together. This is how we do things.”
“When we get into trouble, we find a solution together; when we complete a project, we celebrate together. This is how we do things.”
And from hotels and industrial complexes to shopping malls and residential high-rises, Akitek Akiprima has designed many projects across China and South-East Asia. Townships, offices, luxury apartments and multistory car parks across Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Singapore all bear the Akitek Akiprima touch that Cheah says is a singular vision.
“We don’t operate like other companies,” he says. “Most large firms are partnerships with different studios, different directors and so forth. You can’t maneuver them around. I don’t believe in that structure because in a crisis, they tend to quarrel and disintegrate. At Akitek Akiprima, it’s one big family situation.”
A second-generation architect himself, Cheah works alongside his sisters Karen and Kathy in the business their father founded in 1981. Architects are accustomed to starting at the ground floor, but for Cheah, it was a few levels underground.
“Normally, an architecture firm starts with zero, but to be frank, we took over a tab of eight digits,” he admits. “For two years early on, we three siblings didn’t even have a salary. Akitek Akiprima was considered a sunset company. It was tough.
“But we managed to pay off the debt and started attracting young graduates, and we turned things around. People started to notice what we can do, and we just grew and grew. We went from a team of 15 to close to 170 now.”
Of course, the portfolio of an accomplished architect can be observed simply by looking around a vibrant city, and Akitek Akiprima is no exception. But the company has taken a step beyond its established wheelhouse of retail and residential.
“The data centers came as a surprise to us,” Cheah says. “We’d never done warehouses or data centers, but a client noticed the scale of our other projects and suggested we take on a partner and get one done.”
Partnerships are the lifeblood of the architectural industry, with everyone working together to put the four walls of a project in place.
“Architects often play a central role in projects, guiding the vision and design,” he says. “At the same time, we take a collaborative approach. Partnerships are key. We rely on the expertise and support of engineers and contractors to bring projects to life.”
From behind-the-scenes players such as construction and engineering contractor Crest Builder Group to intricate specialists such as Spanish bathroom space expert Roca, Akitek Akiprima’s partners routinely assist the company in achieving architectural greatness and reaching new heights.
“The more I work, the happier I become.”
The data centers are a prime example, Cheah says.
“We’re responsible for the first hyperscale data centers, and we have another four or five in the pipeline,” he says.
“Then we have another one that will be larger again. While these data centers were originally popular in Singapore, we anticipate growth in markets like Vietnam and Cambodia, where land and energy remain more affordable. Our approach will be step-by-step, that’s our strategy for our expansion.”
Another new frontier for Akitek Akiprima is interiors.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, many interior design firms paused operations, so we weren’t very active in that space,” Cheah says. “But as client demand grows, we’ve now assembled a dedicated team focused entirely on interior design.”
Today, all of Akitek Akiprima’s residential projects feature interior design integrated from the outset.
“If a client likes what they see, they can contract us for that,” he adds.
“Suddenly, we have a wealth of interior design projects, as we’re building nearly 10,000 residential units across Malaysia, China and Cambodia. When people see our designs, they want the same approach, so our team is rapidly growing.”
Akitek Akiprima has thus evolved into a one-stop shop for architectural and interior design.
“With the strength we have now, we can expand beyond major cities to regional areas and replicate our success in other countries,” Cheah says. “I believe we have a winning formula that will carry us through the next three-to-five years and beyond.”
Doing so requires a sustainable mindset, but Cheah says thinking green has long been a part of the company’s DNA.
“We’ve actually received platinum ratings for our green buildings,” he says. “In the construction industry we need to act responsibly and we continue to advocate for greener practices.”
Cheah is also mindful of the importance of mentorship and believes architects should make an effort to pass on their knowledge to the next generation.
“We need education, so we encourage our team to attend courses and participate in what we call sharing sessions,” he says. “They identify problems, work out solutions and then share their methodology with the wider team. It’s about business sustainability, making sure new staff can learn and continue to grow the business.”
“With the strength we have now, we can go beyond the cities to regional areas and replicate our success in other countries.”
From the ground up, Akitek Akiprima’s work is a team effort. Cheah ensures that everyone moves as one in their quest for innovative solutions, and he says that energy has to come from the top.
“I love talking to my people and keeping up the momentum,” he says. “For me it doesn’t feel like work, it’s almost like a hobby – the more I do it, the happier I become.
“And when a challenge arises, there is nothing more rewarding than finding the solution.”
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