Latest news with #EvelynLee
The Star
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Powering down to keep the lights on
Many using less electricity as new tariffs loom PETALING JAYA: Many consumers are taking steps to manage their electricity bills with the implementation of the new tariff structure by the government. For example, many homeowners are considering having solar photovoltaic (PV) systems installed on their roofs, while others are looking at the 'Time of Use' scheme, which offers lower rates during off-peak hours, now defined as starting from 10pm to 2pm on weekdays, and the entire day on weekends. Under the new tariff announced by the Energy Commission, domestic consumers using less than 1,000kWh (kilowatt-hours) per month will also continue to enjoy subsidies, effective yesterday. In Johor Baru, sales operations executive Ereena Karen Lim Abdullah, 47, and her husband are thinking about rooftop PV. 'My husband and I are thinking of installing solar panels, but we are unsure whether it is possible to do so at our apartment,' she said, adding that she would raise the matter with the building management soon. 'I used to pay around RM100 for electricity monthly but it had crept up to RM150 even though it is just me and my husband living in our apartment without much changes to our routine.' Events planning manager Evelyn Lee, 34, said she was hoping to apply for the newly expanded Time of Use (ToU) tariff as soon as possible since it matches her lifestyle. 'My husband and I are seldom at home during the day, so it's perfect for us since we are typically home only by 10pm. 'We also like to spend our weekends at home together, just relaxing with our dogs with the air conditioning on, so it makes sense,' said Lee, who lives in Puchong. CLICK TO ENLARGE In Seremban, Tong Sim Old Folks Home secretary Jessie Chan said they had already been cutting back usage before the new tariffs. 'The 18 elderly and special needs folks at the centre have been told to cut down (on their use), resulting in our monthly bill going down slightly from the over RM400 previously,' she said. Ramesh Patel, who runs the Vivekananda Home in Rembau, has also told the children under his care to start conserving. 'We went from switching on four lights throughout the night previously, to only one now to further reduce the monthly bill which totals about RM800.' Retiree N. Manimaran from Perak said he would start consolidating his chores. 'We now do the laundry only once every two days, while clothes are ironed once per week. I'm also cutting down the hours the air conditioner is on from six to four,' said the 67-year-old. Father-of-four Wan Fahmi Ahmad said getting his household to change their habits would be difficult as they do not know how the new tariff structure would affect their bill. 'We are used to using around 1,500kWh to 2,000kWh, and paying over RM1,000 every month, so convincing them will be hard, especially if our bill increases only by a small amount,' the 51-year old pilot said. Wan Fahmi, who lives in Putrajaya, added that he would consider the ToU scheme if his bill spiked significantly. Likewise, Halimatul Abdul Adib, 42, is also adopting a wait-and-see stance. 'I don't think I will see any significant rise in my bill, though I will wait for a few billing cycles so I can make a better comparison before doing anything.' In George Town, pensioner Habsah Sulaiman, 70, said the new tariff helped her family. 'I usually use under 300kWh a month or an average of RM150, so it is good that the government is keeping the subsidy,' said Habsah, who lives with her son and his family, including three children. Technician Kevin Wang, 26, said while the new tariff would support efforts to reduce carbon emissions, affordability remains a key concern. 'I am all for a greener future. But any transition must be gradual, especially for middle-income families like mine. 'The government or utility providers can introduce targeted rebates or energy-efficiency incentives to ease the impact.' The Light Hotel general manager Raj Kumar said it was too early to predict whether the new tariff would impact room rates. 'We are also actively exploring cost-saving measures such as solar PV,' he said, while stressing the importance of finding a balanced solution that protects both consumers and businesses. 'It is a tough time for everyone, and we do not believe in simply passing every cost to the customer,' Raj said.
Fast Company
18-06-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
Why are architects so underpaid? Here are 4 reasons, plus one way to fix it
Architects have long complained about the industry's relatively paltry pay. Given the amount of expensive education architects require (master's level), and the years they have to put in (many) before qualifying to take a licensure exam (arduous), they have been rightly upset: Architects can barely expect to crack the $100,000 salary mark after more than eight years in the profession. Now there are some numbers to back that up. Compared to every other design descipline Fast Company has studied in our our ongoing analysis of where the design jobs are, architects are underpaid, particularly as their careers progress. Their compensation increases at the slowest rate, based on years of experience. Fixing the problem requires a nuanced understanding of the outside factors that limit pay, according to Evelyn Lee, president of the American Institute of Architects. 'Architecture is an industry that's always been known to work within tight margins,' she says. Part of the reason is that the industry long ago set standardized fee structures—basically a percentage of overall construction costs—and those numbers haven't changed much. 'Our ability to get paid more is tied back to that,' Lee says. Architecture is also tied to economic cycles, and it can be a bellwether of recessions. 'When things are good, and people are spending a lot of money on capital costs, we are doing well. But we're usually the first service to get cut when people start to hold back, and we're the last to come on board when the economy starts coming back,' Lee says. And because they're never quite sure when the next project will come around, many architecture firms end up being conservative with their spending and salaries. Subscribe to the Design latest innovations in design brought to you every weekday SIGN UP Privacy Policy | Fast Company Newsletters advertisement The final deadline for Fast Company's Next Big Things in Tech Awards is Friday, June 20, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
LPA Awarded AIA's Highest Honor for Architecture Firm
Integrated design firm earns 2025 AIA Architecture Firm Award for developing a 'no excuses' culture that has set new standards for high performance designBOSTON, June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American Institute of Architects (AIA) presented LPA Design Studios with the 2025 AIA Architecture Firm Award, 'the highest honor the AIA bestows on an architecture practice,' in a ceremony June 5 during the AIA25 Conference in the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. LPA was honored as a 'a trailblazer in sustainable, high-performance architecture, blending a mission-driven ethos with innovative, interdisciplinary design practices.' Over the last five years, the integrated design firm reduced predicted energy use in its education, civic, healthcare and commercial projects by an average of 75%, and helped lead nationwide efforts to develop more efficient facilities that measure performance around energy, wellness, community and experience. 'LPA Design Studios has evolved into an inspiring force of innovation and collaboration. From architects and engineers to landscape architects and designers … they are united in the shared responsibility of addressing climate change and fostering equitable and thriving communities,' said AIA 2025 President Evelyn Lee, FAIA, NOMA at the ceremony. The Firm Award recognizes one firm a year that has consistently produced distinguished architecture, while addressing 'the future of architecture…[and] honoring its tradition.' Founded in Orange, California, 60 years ago, LPA has grown into a firm of 500 architects, engineers, designers and researchers with 10 practices working out of studios in California and Texas. Over the years, the firm has built a culture around collaboration, inclusion and a research-driven design process. 'Our story demonstrates what a firm of any size can accomplish when we stop making excuses and focus on performance to deliver design excellence – on every project, for every budget, at every scale,' LPA CEO Wendy Rogers said in her acceptance speech. 'What we learned is that our culture makes these results possible, our collective commitment day in and day out.' LPA's innovative approach breaks down barriers between disciplines, bringing everyone to the table to problem-solve around each project's unique challenges. A shared sense of responsibility and a commitment to meet clients' vision are essential if the industry is going to make significant progress to combat climate change, Rogers told the conference. 'Eliminating carbon from projects must unite us and align our disciplines in a common cause,' Rogers said at the conference. 'The task is too big to tackle alone. It requires partnerships, innovation, and a shared belief that our work is always better when everyone sits at the table as equals.' Media Contact LPA Design Studios Daniel Scheuerman, Media Senior Specialist dscheuerman@ (949) 701-4180 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
