Berthel Michael Iversen

He eventually had offices in Ipoh, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore. He did a large number of cinemas throughout Malaysia for the Shaw Brothers, a film production company which was the precursor to the Shaw Organization. Iversen's early works are sometimes described as Art Deco, but after World War II, his buildings became increasingly modern, and he became one of Southeast Asia's most important modernists. His works were an integral part economically and symbolically for the newly developed countries of Malaysia and Singapore.

• Name — Berthel Michael Iversen • Born — 1906 • Birthplace — Copenhagen, Denmark • Died — 1976 • Place of death — Copenhagen • Children — Ruth Iversen Rollitt, Per Iversen

Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1906, Berthel Michael was the youngest of seven siblings in the Iversen family. He was named after the sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen. He exhibited an artistic streak from a young age, and graduated from the Royal Academy in Copenhagen in architecture. He relocated to Ipoh, Malaysia. He was married and had two children, Ruth Iversen Rollitt (daughter) and Per Iversen (son). In 1966, Iversen retired and left his firm to his son Per and his Chinese partners. He died in Copenhagen in 1976, age 70.

In 1928, Iversen came to Malaya (Malaysia) and started his career as an architect. His elder brother Werner Iversen had been a successful planter in Malaya since 1918, and convinced Berthel to relocate. Young Iversen worked for Keys And Dowdeswell firm when he first landed Asia. In 1936, Iversen established his own firm with S.H van Sitteren in Ipoh- Iversen, van Sitteren & Partners. Iversen was a member of the Building Association of Ipoh, in the state of Perak. He was responsible for some of the famous modernist landmark buildings in Ipoh, including the Ipoh Race Course. He designed a large number of cinemas for his hometown, including the Lido., Rex, Majestic (demolished), Ruby, Odeon and Cathay cinemas, many of which are still standing. Also for the Shaw Brothers he designed Jubilee Park which was an outdoor entertainment centre and cinema. The Mercantile Bank, Lam Looking Bazaar, Geological Survey Building, Ipoh Swimming Club, and MCA are some of his prominent projects in Ipoh.

• Illustration — Rear view of Lam Look Ing Bazaar, Ipoh. (rebuilt) • Illustration — Ruby Cinema, Ipoh • Grandstand, Ipoh Race Course • Majestic Cinema Ipoh • Rex Cinema, Ipoh • Ruby Cinema, Ipoh • Cathay Cinema, Ipoh • Lido Cinema, Ipoh • Jubilee Park, Ipoh • Mercantile Bank, Ipoh • Fair Park Shop houses Ipoh (demolished) • Lam Looking Bazaar, Ipoh • Veterinary Research Institute, Ipoh • Ipoh Swimming Club • Ipoh Golf Club • MCA Building, Ipoh • Eastern Hotel, Ipoh • Geological Survey Building, Ipoh • The Masonic Lodge, Ipoh • No. 62, Gopeng Road, Ipoh • No. 74, Gopeng Road, Ipoh • No.14, Jalan Tigerlane (mansion), Ipoh Perak • House of former Perak Turf Club Secretary, Ipoh, Perak • Lee Wah Building, Kuala Lumpur • Loke Yew Building, Kuala Lumpur • Federal House, Kuala Lumpur • Chinese Swimming Club, Penang • Broadcasting Station, Kota Bharu • Odeon Theatre, Ipoh • St. John's Ambulance Association Perak Headquarters, Ipoh • Federal Cinema, Penang Iversen and his firm did many private houses for wealthy clients throughout the Malay Peninsula. His oeuvre includes numerous government buildings, hospitals, schools, cinemas, radio stations, and churches.

• Illustration — Front view of Jubilee Park, Ipoh Jubilee Park Once called "Ipoh Amusement Park", Jubilee Park was owned by the Shaw Brothers. Originally the park was used as an entertainment space to raise money for the victims of the China 1931 flood. It was then bought by Archibald Russel who leased the park to the Shaw Brothers, 30 April 1935. Scenes from director Mamat Khalid's film Zombi Kilang Biskut (2013) were filmed in front of the modern façade. Lam Look Ing Bazaar Lam Look Ing Bazaar (often written as Lam Looking Bazaar),1933, is located in Jalan Laksamana, Ipoh. Iversen was commissioned to design the project for Penang-born mining tycoon Lam Look Ing. It originally housed a bazaar at street level, and a hotel and the Celestial Cabaret occupied the upper floors. It was a favourite watering hole for European expatriates up until World War II when it became a favorite spot for Japanese officers. In the 1970s, Lam Look Ing Bazaar housed the Perak Emporium, an early incarnation of the air-conditioned department store. The emporium closed down following an economic downturn, and the building became dilapidated. A fire exacerbated its condition. Recently the Lam Look Ing Bazaar was bought and restored. This included a new roof but much of the original design was faithfully retained. The Geological Survey • Illustration — Geological Survey Building, Ipoh This Geological Survey Building, Ipoh, Perak, was an early Iversen work. This cornerstone for the building in Ipoh was laid by YM Raja Idris Shah ibin Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Shah, the Raja Muda of Perak in July, 1955 Iversen was hired to remodel and enlarge his project, and the building's library includes a mosaic floor of the Malayan Peninsula. The Masonic Lodge • Illustration — The Masonic Lodge It is a freemason which built by B.M Iversen during the early 1930s, it is the second lodge. Lee Wah Building One of the most expensive 11-storey building was erected in Kuala Lumpur during the early 60's. by the Lee Wah Bank Ltd incorporated some of the most modern banking equipments. It cost $4million. B.M Iversen's firm Iversen, van Sitteren and partners was responsible for the building design and the designer was Peter Vermeer Lee Wah Building is still standing Kuala Lumpur near Petaling street but with a new name. Union Bank. Lido Theatre, Ipoh Lido Theatre is one of the cinemas designed by BM Iversen estimated between 1955 and 1957. Located across the Cockman Street, Ipoh (currently Jalan Dato Onn Jaafar) from the Cathay Theatre. It was demolished by fire and then later renovated and became a snooker center until current.

• Illustration — Front view of Lam Look Ing Bazaar, Ipoh. (rebuilt) • Illustration — Foundation stone found in front of the Geological Survey Building. • Illustration — Ruby Cinema Hall • Illustration — Projector room exterior of Cathay Cinema, Ipoh • Illustration — Mercantile Bank • Illustration — MCA Building, Ipoh • Illustration — House designed B. M. Iversen (renovated) • Illustration — Handrail designed by Iversen, Cathay Cinema, Ipoh • Illustration — Door Design in Ruby Cinema, Ipoh