
Studio Bikin was founded between partners Farah Azizan and Adela Askandar in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2012. The design-led studio practice is established to enable both partners and their team to design and execute projects with a broad range of scales and typologies and also from the urban to rural context.
We aim to solve complex problems in creative ways that address social and environmental sustainability as well as the economic realities of each project. The resulting work reflects our approach thus increasing the studio’s range of commissions from private dwellings, boutique hospitality to commercial developments and interiors.
In 2013, they began Kedai Bikin, a sister company that seeks to be a curated retail platform for furniture pieces and complimentary home & living products, designed by the founders and other Malaysian designers.
Collectively, Studio Bikin and Kedai Bikin’s work have been featured in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philipines, Australia and the UK via various architectural, design and lifestyle magazines.
The studio looks forward to developing exciting briefs with their clients, deepen their level of exploration and research within each project to arrive at the best solutions and continue its growth within the field of design.
As of December 2023, Studio Bikin Sdn Bhd is now Studio Bikin Architects Sdn Bhd and is a registered architectural consultancy practice with the Board of Architects of Malaysia.
Farah Azizan obtained her BA in architecture at Nottingham University, UK and pursued her diploma in Architecture at the Architecture Association, London. Upon graduating in 2004, she worked for Tonkin Liu Architects, returned to Kuala Lumpur and joined Seksan Design where she practiced landscape and architectural design for 6 years. Her key projects are Lone Pine, One Menerung, Sekeping Kong Heng, Resort at Luang Prabang and PJ Trade Centre.
Apart from working with Seksan Design, Farah was involved in teaching as guest critics to several local architecture schools. She has also created a few installations, namely Kursi Lapuk in the exhibition ‘Processing the City’, neon light installations in ‘The Last Call’, the Bombay Sapphire project with VWFA and her bottle-light installations in ‘The Light Show’ which she co-curated with Carolyn Lau and Lisa Foo. In 2012, she set up Studio Bikin with Adela Askandar.
Key projects Farah led in Studio Bikin are Hit & Mrs, Kong Heng, Ukay Heights, APW Bookmark & Uppercase, Kong Heng Villas, Desa House, Monterez House, and Else Hotel @ the Lee Rubber Building.
Adela Askandar received her BA and masters in architecture from University of Cambridge, United Kingdom in 2002. She then trained at Lisa Shell design, a small architectural practice in London for 2 years, after which she gained her RIBA license. Adela returned to Malaysia and joined Unit One design consultancy in Kuala Lumpur. Key projects here included Leisure Farm Villas (winner, WAN international residential awards 2009), Love Lane (winner PAM award 2006 for Adaptive Reuse).
In 2008 she gained experience in the education sector at TP Bennet Architects, London, working on a project under the ‘Building Schools for the Future’ programme. Adela also sporadically taught alongside practice and enjoyed collaborations with other designers including Farah, which culminated in them formally setting up Studio Bikin in 2012. Key projects led by Adela are The Row, Plan B @ KongHeng, Jelutong House, Veil House, Silverlakes and Taman Tunku. Adela is a registered architect and interior designer with the Board of Architects Malaysia (LAM) and a member of the Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers (MIID).
Her interests include working on cultural projects and activating interstitial urban spaces, moving towards a more collaborative approach towards achieving client’s goals and a more circular economy within the building industry.
Loo Jie Hsin (born 1986, Kuala Lumpur) received her BArch from UPM, Malaysia and has been part of the Studio Bikin team since 2012. Her key projects in the past are Jatomi Fitness gym fitout, private houses including the Monterez House, Else Kuala Lumpur & Kinokuniya, . Jie Hsin has had extensive detailing and construction experience throughout the last 11 years that spans architectural and interior fitout works. Her current key project is the bespoke interior fitout for Kinokuniya Bookstores. Jie Hsin also oversees key project deliveries within the office.
Lim Kok Cin (born 1989 Klang, Selangor) received his BArch from University College London, UK and upon his return to Malaysia, worked with DNA Architects in Kuching, Sarawak till 2014. He then joined Studio Bikin and worked on a number of private residential projects and was the project architect for The Row. He has developed a sound knowledge of managing complex Alterations & Additions projects through his experience and is adept at solving design problems on site. His other key projects were Imbi Pocket parks, Sudut House and Taman Tunku. Kok Cin’s strengths are solving site construction issues, hardscape and landscape design.
Nureen, a graduate of Taylor's University in 2013 completed her masters / Part 2 in architecture at the University of Greenwich in 2015 and worked at GDP Architects from 2016 to 2023. She is currently applying her seven years of post- graduate experience as a project architect at Studio Bikin. Having primarily focused on architecture, she draws from her understanding of cohesive design and keen attention to detail in her work. She contributed her knowledge and keen eye to an interior design project for Semuarasa at Semua House, Kuala Lumpur and is currently working on a boutique hotel in the heritage quarters of Ipoh, Malaysia.
Esha Hashim is a designer and graduate architect, currently based in Kuala Lumpur. She believes in crafts in/as/of architecture - where her interests in spatial design, arts and digital exploration collide. Esha graduated her Master of Architecture from University of Westminster, United Kingdom, where she was exposed with geometric digital exploration and architecture within conflicts. Esha is working on the Merdeka Textile Museum and leading the interior fitout for the Cedar show unit, a high-end residential project in Kuala Lumpur.
Faris Khabidin received his Diploma in Architecture in Politeknik Merlimau, Melaka. He works closely with the whole project team to draft, examine and improve architectural designs in accordance with clients' demands. He keeps up with the most recent developments in architecture, including innovative design aspects and passive environmental design. His goal is to use a combination of technical expertise and creativity to help execute our projects professionally. Amongst other projects, he is working on the design and drafting of the Rice Miller Hotel, the Ipoh Boutique hotel.
Kevin (born 1994) obtained B.Int Arch at the University of New South Wales, Australia. Having lived and worked in Australia, The Netherlands, and Malaysia, he has observed how design varies across different societies, influenced by geography and cultural context. He has six years of experience executing projects in hospitality, retail, resorts, residential, and events. On the side, he follows material conversations happening in Europe and Asia, with an interest in exploring new approaches to local materials.
Fatin 'Aisyah is a graduate Interior Designer who earned her BA (Hons.) Interior Architecture from UiTM Puncak Alam, Selangor. She joined Studio Bikin in 2024 - Interior Design has always been her passion and love, and as she pursued schooling and certifications, she honed her abilities into something professional that she could use for a job. Working on something she enjoys is truly the best part of her profession, and she is delighted to bring her energy and work ethic to the studio
Chiun Cheng Fung obtained his Master of Architecture from Tsinghua University. He is keen on conceptual thinking, architecture that fosters a peaceful and calm atmosphere, and designs that interact with and become part of the landscape. He is currently assisting with technical drawings for both architectural and interior architecture projects.
Reez Ghaz, born in Kuantan Pahang, graduated from The University of Adelaide South Australia with a Master of Architecture in 2016. He has worked in architecture and design since 2020, focusing on interior design. His design inspiration comes from the environment and people, having worked in Malaysia, Australia, and Singapore, providing a diverse perspective on creating and crafting.
Adah, born in 1990 Kuala Lumpur, is an easy- going and essential member of our team. Graduating from the International Islamic University University of Malaysia in 2013, she worked at Truventus Sdn Bhd for 5 years as a senior operations executive. Adah joined the team in 2019 and manages admin, finance matters, payroll & HR.