By Ling Hui
KUCHING, Feb 8: Hock Seng Lee Berhad (HSL), Next Phase and the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) are challenging architects to design the best high-rise in the Kuching central business district (CBD).
Billed as the first ever such architectural competition in Sarawak, it carries the project name ‘Langit’ which means ‘sky’ in Malay while in Bahasa Sarawak ‘lang’ can also be defined as ‘a door’.
HSL, in a statement today, said this competition is open to all PAM-registered corporate members and participants are allowed to collaborate with foreign architects with an unlimited number of entries.
The competition calls for designs for a commercial development which can be mixed-use, except for a hotel, with a maximum gross floor area of 30,000sqm.
Participants are encouraged to focus on community engagement to enhance the experience of both public and tenants of the building, optimum building orientation and economic viability.
The design plot is about an acre of land along Jalan Tabuan and within a one-kilometre radius are commercial developments including offices, condominiums, shopping malls, hotels and schools.
With prize monies totaling up to RM200,000, the champion will receive RM100,000, first runner-up RM50,000, and second runner-up RM25,000. There are also two slots for honourable mentions.
Registration opens today and the closing date is on April 19. The results will be announced in late May with a prize presentation.
Those judging the designs include PAM Sarawak chairman Ar Ivy Jong, PAM Malaysia president Datuk Ar Ezumi Harzani Ismail, an eminent Sarawakian architect, an eminent Malaysian architect, and an HSL representative.
Meanwhile, HSL properties development general manager Tay Chiok Kee said this would be a competition for the best ideas as “a great piece of land in such a good location should have a great building on it”.
Also thrilled with the design competition, Jong said the architecture industry has been long yearning for such a challenge.
“HSL will gain significantly from having the most innovative ideas and best-designed plans, but really, the ultimate beneficiary will be the public.
“The public stands to gain a new architectural icon, new business ventures, new job opportunities and a new public space — all at a location easily accessible to all,” he added. — DayakDaily
