Inspired by a lifelong fascination with pop-up books, former engineer Jack Leong has spent years transforming Kuching’s iconic heritage landmarks into an intricate three-dimensional book that hopes to inspire children and adults alike to rediscover the city’s rich history.
Bringing Kuching’s heritage to life, one page at a time
Every pop-up book holds a sense of wonder, with each page springing to life in intricate three-dimensional detail. For pop-up book collector Jack Leong, that sense of wonder has never faded. From Star Wars-themed books to pop-up guidebooks featuring different countries, his fascination with the craft eventually inspired him to create one for Kuching, Sarawak.
Published under his company, Aetherfold — a name that combines “air” and “feather”, symbolising each page rising to fill the atmosphere — the book holds special significance for Leong. The former engineer said the pop-up book, which features Kuching’s heritage landmarks, aims to spark conversations about the city’s past.
“For my two sons, the book tells the story of their Sarawakian roots, allowing them to better understand the history of their hometown. Featuring the buildings we have here, it not only explores their history but also the architectural elements and how they incorporate local cultural designs,” said the father of two.
The more Leong researched his hometown, the deeper his appreciation for it became. Through developing the book, he gained a richer understanding of Kuching’s vibrant history and heritage.
A transformation of years
As a young boy, Leong enjoyed flipping through pop-up books.
“I like the three-dimensional details and the feeling they give. I think this stemmed from my love for Transformers — the toys that transform from robots into cars. I liked how I could see and feel every detail. I also enjoyed doing origami.”
Whenever he travels abroad, he cannot help but admire the architecture of each destination.
“Whenever I visit a country, I look for a pop-up book featuring its landmarks so I can learn more about it,” said the 45-year-old.
What fascinates Leong most is understanding how things are put together. From transforming toys to heritage landmarks, his curiosity has always driven him to appreciate both the finer details and the bigger picture. The same curiosity guided him while creating his pop-up book on Kuching’s heritage, from researching the history behind each landmark to studying the architectural elements that define it.
“Sometimes, it isn’t just the building itself that creates a landmark. When I studied them, I realised a building’s identity also encompasses the surrounding area and the people who live there,” he said.
As an example, Leong pointed to the Indian Mosque, now recognised as Kuching’s floating mosque. It was previously located in a narrow lane between Gambier Street and India Street, before shoplots housing spice and textile traders were built around it.
“This reflected the Indian community that lived around the mosque at the time. From this, I learned that it’s not just about the buildings, but also the people around them — how they lived, and how their culture became part of these heritage landmarks,” said Leong.
Intricate documentation
While he enjoys crafting three-dimensional replicas of heritage landmarks, Leong admitted that the most challenging part of creating the pop-up book from scratch was illustrating the intricate decorative details found on the buildings. The dragons adorning Tua Pek Kong Temple, he said, were among the most difficult features to draw.
He also had to improvise certain architectural elements to suit the limitations of the printing process. Nevertheless, Leong strives to capture each landmark’s distinctive characteristics as accurately as possible.
Leong first started the project in 2021. Looking back, he laughed as he recalled that his eyesight was still perfect when he started.
“Now I need to wear spectacles because, over the years, my eyes have had to focus on miniature details for long hours.”
Ensuring the pop-up book was both durable and sustainable also proved challenging, requiring him to work through several rounds of selecting and changing printers. From choosing the right paper stock to preserving the finer details in print, Leong remained committed to producing a book that does justice to Kuching’s heritage, as he sees it as his way of giving back to the community.
Building pride through stories
As Sarawak marks another year of its history on July 22, Leong hopes people will look beyond the facades of familiar buildings and rediscover the stories they hold.
“People always say Kuching is boring or there’s nothing to appreciate. But when you really read about its history, you realise our heritage is actually very vibrant,” he said.
Leong also believes heritage is not confined to centuries-old buildings. Modern landmarks such as the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) and St Peter’s Church have also become part of the state’s evolving identity by incorporating local cultural elements into their architecture.
Looking ahead, Leong hopes that once the pop-up book is officially published in the final quarter of this year, he will be able to create another one showcasing Sarawak’s traditional longhouses and indigenous cultures.
“Heritage isn’t just about looking back. When children see these buildings, they’ll start asking why they’re here, what their stories are, and how they became part of Sarawak. I hope this book helps them, and other children, understand where they come from and appreciate the rich history that surrounds them,” he added.
