More Than Tiles: How the ECHO Project Sparked Pride and Belonging at PPR Seri Cempaka

13 Nov 2025

8 Min Read

Taylor's Impact Lab (Liveable Urban Communities)

IN THIS ARTICLE

“This project reminded me to always put ourselves in others’ shoes and to be grateful. Even a small act of kindness – like providing tiles – can create a profound emotional impact.

That’s what being part of the Impact Labs is about: creating meaningful change, one community at a time.” – Dr Filzani Illia

At PPR Seri Cempaka, a quiet transformation has taken place – one that goes beyond bricks, tiles, and design plans. What began as a university-community partnership to improve shared spaces has evolved into a story of pride, ownership, and connection.

It all started when Taylor’s University’s Liveable Urban Communities Impact Lab collaborated with residents to redesign their surau and community hall, creating spaces that were not only more functional but deeply meaningful to those who used them. The experience built trust, sparked new ideas, and inspired something bigger.

Leading that next step was Dr Filzani Illia, Senior Lecturer at the School of Architecture, Building and Design, together with her team: Ts Bashira binti Mohd Bahar, Azim bin Sulaiman, Nik Syazwan bin Nik AB Wahab, and Meesha Lopez. Their new initiative, the ECHO Project (Enhancing Community Spaces for Low-Cost Housing), set out to reimagine everyday spaces, starting with the lift lobby at PPR Seri Cempaka.

The ECHO Project Team

A Community-Led Transformation

In many PPR flats, lift lobbies can feel dim, neglected, and unwelcoming. At PPR Seri Cempaka, residents had long expressed their wish for a safer, brighter, and more dignified entrance to their homes.

The ECHO Project turned that vision into reality. The once-dull lobby was transformed into a vibrant, elegant space that residents now pass through with pride.

But what made the project special was how it happened. Residents were not just recipients – they were collaborators. They identified issues, brainstormed ideas, joined focus groups, and even rolled up their sleeves to help install the large, wall-sized tiles that became the project’s centrepiece.

Residents participating in focus group discussions

Residents helping to transport large tiles

The ECHO Project team members with PPR Seri Cempaka residents

This hands-on involvement created a deep sense of ownership. “They told me how passing through this beautifully tiled lobby now sparks joy in them every day,” said Dr Filzani. “It shifts the perception of their home from just ‘low-cost housing’ to something they feel proud of – like a premium hotel.”

Lift Lobby – Before and After

Still, the community knows that transformation doesn’t end with the final tile. Many residents voiced concerns about maintaining the upgraded design long-term – a challenge the university team plans to explore in future collaborations, to ensure sustainability and care continue well beyond the project’s completion.

Collaborating for Community Change

The ECHO Project was made possible through a meaningful partnership between Taylor’s University and NIRO Ceramic Group, which generously sponsored premium tiles for the transformation.

Originally, the team approached NIRO with a modest budget to purchase materials – but NIRO went further, choosing to fully sponsor the tiles as part of their commitment to social responsibility and community empowerment.

“NIRO wanted to show that their products are not just for high-end homes but can also elevate ordinary spaces and everyday lives,” shared Dr Filzani.

The ECHO Project team with NIRO Ceramic Group

This partnership exemplifies the power of collaboration – when academia, industry, and the community come together, impactful change follows.

The Ripple Effect

With the lift lobby successfully transformed, the focus now turns to completing the community hall – another shared space that brings residents together. The impact of the ECHO Project has already begun to spread, inspiring other PPR communities and potential partners to replicate its model in their own neighbourhoods.

Rooted in the principles of Sustainable Development Goal 11 – to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable – the ECHO Project proves that good design is not a luxury. It’s a catalyst for dignity, pride, and belonging.

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