Material Futures
Re: Imagining Charcoal
Kuala Sepetang, Malaysia
Supported by the British Council’s Connections Through Culture grant, Re: Imagining Charcoal is one of eight Malaysian–UK projects selected to foster cross-cultural collaboration through the arts. The project seeks to reframe the traditional charcoal industry of Kuala Sepetang, a coastal town in Perak, Malaysia, through material innovation, architectural exploration, and community engagement.
Charcoal production in Kuala Sepetang is deeply embedded in the region’s mangrove ecology and plays a vital role in both the local economy and cultural identity. By mapping the full lifecycle of charcoal—from mangrove harvesting to kiln-fired transformation—the project investigates the potential of natural materials such as mud, bark, and by-products like biochar, vinegar, dye, shells, and algae for sustainable design applications.
This initiative is a collaboration between Colllab Colllab Reel-life Archival, UCSI School of Architecture and Built Environment (SABE), and the University of East London (UEL). Colllab UCSI contributes expertise in participatory architectural processes and experimental material practice, while UEL brings a strong focus on environmental design and coastal landscape research.
In March, the team carried out field research in Malaysia—visiting mangrove forests, charcoal kilns, and working closely with local communities. This was followed by a hands-on prototyping and material testing workshop and exhibition, facilitating knowledge exchange and cross-cultural dialogue around local craft, ecology, and innovation.
Lead Partner: Persatuan Penyelidikan Seni Bina Kolaborasi (Malaysia)
Collaborators: Ketia Tajima (UEL), Doris Quek (Colllab UCSI), Ker Chwing (Colllab UCSI)
Re: Imagining Charcoal
Kuala Sepetang, Malaysia
Supported by the British Council’s Connections Through Culture grant, Re: Imagining Charcoal is one of eight Malaysian–UK projects selected to foster cross-cultural collaboration through the arts. The project seeks to reframe the traditional charcoal industry of Kuala Sepetang, a coastal town in Perak, Malaysia, through material innovation, architectural exploration, and community engagement.
Charcoal production in Kuala Sepetang is deeply embedded in the region’s mangrove ecology and plays a vital role in both the local economy and cultural identity. By mapping the full lifecycle of charcoal—from mangrove harvesting to kiln-fired transformation—the project investigates the potential of natural materials such as mud, bark, and by-products like biochar, vinegar, dye, shells, and algae for sustainable design applications.
This initiative is a collaboration between Colllab Colllab Reel-life Archival, UCSI School of Architecture and Built Environment (SABE), and the University of East London (UEL). Colllab UCSI contributes expertise in participatory architectural processes and experimental material practice, while UEL brings a strong focus on environmental design and coastal landscape research.
In March, the team carried out field research in Malaysia—visiting mangrove forests, charcoal kilns, and working closely with local communities. This was followed by a hands-on prototyping and material testing workshop and exhibition, facilitating knowledge exchange and cross-cultural dialogue around local craft, ecology, and innovation.
Lead Partner: Persatuan Penyelidikan Seni Bina Kolaborasi (Malaysia)
Collaborators: Ketia Tajima (UEL), Doris Quek (Colllab UCSI), Ker Chwing (Colllab UCSI)