Book Review: Iversen – Architect of Ipoh and Modern Malaya

This biography combines personal stories of BM Iversen and the architectural trends found in colonial Malaya. It begins with his life in Denmark, his migration to Malaya, his practice as an architect in Malaya, especially in Ipoh, World War II, and his subsequent evacuation to Australia to escape the war. After the war, he returned to Malaya to continue practising architecture. Eventually, he retired and went back to Copenhagen, Denmark.

The chronological order of the book makes it an easy read. I was following his life from youth to old age, and I could especially relate to some parts of his life. The stories were engaging, and one part caught my attention. In Chapter 3, he began to utilise his skills as an architect and shared his past (in Chapters 1-2). He mentioned:

“I feel as if I were at home at the Academy and have faith in my teacher’s knowledge. All day long: draw, draw, draw. Not like the other firm, on the building site most of the time. However, that taught me a lot. But I have to work hard.”¹Ruth Iversen Rollit, Iversen: Architect of Ipoh and Modern Malaya (Areca Books, 2015), 23.                                                                            

The above quote reminds me of our beginnings. Sometimes, we have to perform menial tasks that seem unrelated to our primary work, but that build character and experience for future roles that require our skills. Creativity does not mean the perceived fancy stuff, such as designing something mindblowing. Behind a new art and creation is a set of other mundane skills.

What makes this book so human is that it showcases Iversen’s illustrations, which describe his life like a visual journal. These illustrations are often juxtaposed with the photographs of the various buildings that he designed. The illustrations revealed a personal side to him, akin to a visual journal, while the photographs served as a portfolio of his professional work, showcasing his designs.

Excerpt of illustrations and photographs found in the book

True to the chronological format of this book, the photographs also highlight architectural trends in Malaya. From the pictures, it is evident that Europeans introduced the Art Deco style in Malaya. During World War II, BM Iversen temporarily paused his practice to evacuate to Australia, seeking to escape the war. After the war, he returned to Malaya and designed buildings based on two things. First, he implemented International style practices, which allow mass production to be manufactured off-site before shipping. Second, he also designed homes that reflect his understanding of tropical climate, such as prescribing windows surrounded by a cement frame (brise-soliel) and round porthole windows at the stairwell to bring in light.²Iversen Rollit, Iversen, 114-115

Following the independence of Malaya, significant changes occurred in the government regime, particularly after the formation of Malaysia in 1963. During that time, Malaysia created their own political and social institutions. One of the consequences of the change in the architectural profession was that Malaysian architects were favoured over European architects. Most European partners, including Iversen, left the architecture firms and left the Chinese partners to run them. Iversen retired and spent his remaining years in Copenhagen, where he passed away in 1970.³Iversen Rollit, Iversen, 202-204

Conclusion

This book brings in stories of architecture in a more relatable way. Sometimes, it can be challenging for someone without an architectural background to comprehend the history of architecture. With illustrations and stories woven together, it makes it more relatable and human. The illustrations also highlight Iversen’s thoughts, which is reflected in his designs. This book serves as a valuable supplement for those seeking to understand the history of architecture, especially in the context of pre-independence Malaya.

References

Iversen Rollitt, Ruth. Iversen: Architect of Ipoh and Modern Malaya. Areca Books, 2015.