Week 9

Fieldwork: Observing KAED       10th Dec 2024

The day of our campus fieldwork began bright and sunny, ideal for exploring sustainability on-site. Our group was assigned to observe and document sustainability aspects around IIUM, and we soon opted on KAED as our emphasis. It felt appropriate—architecture and environmental design are inextricably linked to sustainability, and we were eager to see how this was reflected in the sites we chose.

    We began in the bus café, nestled in the KAED's entrance courtyard. There was something lovely about an old bus repurposed as a café. It was more than simply aesthetics; it was also a clever example of repurposing. Instead of letting the bus deteriorate, someone transformed it into a cosy lounging space. This served as a reminder to me that sustainability is more than just large gestures; it is also about reconsidering how we use what we already have.

We then focused on the electric beam, which was an invention I had not before noticed. It's a basic concept—a charging station for electric vehicles—but the message it conveys is strong. The institution indirectly encourages students and faculty to choose more sustainable mobility options by offering such infrastructure. As we stood there contemplating its significance, I couldn't help but wonder how many people's habits had changed as a result of its presence.

Our last trip was at the recycling bins, which were strategically placed near the elevator that are occasionally used by both staff and students. They weren't spectacular, but they represented an important component of campus sustainability. The colour-coded bins served as a visual reminder for everyone to separate their rubbish. It made me reflect on how much easier it is to build good habits when the system makes it simple.

As we ended up our research, I couldn't help but think about how these qualities related to the six main indicators of campus sustainability. The setting and infrastructure of KAED demonstrated a sensitivity for space and resources, as evidenced by the bus café's reuse of materials. The electric beam reflected the energy and climate change aspects, whereas the recycle bins addressed the waste indicator. It helped me realise how interwoven these pieces are, and how they contribute to a bigger picture of sustainable living.

What stuck out the most about the fieldwork was not just what we saw, but the realisation that sustainability is both visible and unseen. Some initiatives, such as the bus café, are obvious, whilst others, such as water conservation or sustainability research, may take place quietly behind the scenes. It served as a reminder that sustainability is a collaborative effort—every modest change helps to achieve a larger, more meaningful objective.

KAED wasn't perfect, but it was trying, and that's what counted. And because of that, I'm proud to be one of KAED's students. Sustainability is not about achieving everything all at once; rather, it is about making little steps towards a better future.