By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, June 25: MOA Architects Sdn Bhd, led by Kuala Lumpur-based Sarawakian director Ar Hung Sing Ing, has emerged as the first prize winner of the AIR Architecture Competition with a visionary masterplan featuring what could become Malaysia’s largest green roof.
Jointly organised by Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM) and HSL in mid-2024, the competition sought the best design for a 13.5-acre site adjacent to Kuching International Airport, with HSL set to develop the site based on one of the shortlisted schemes, subject to feasibility — similar to the 2021 architectural competition for the Citadines Langit Kuching project, which broke ground in April.
Speaking at a press conference after the AIR Architecture Competition prize-giving ceremony held at HSL Tower in Kota Samarahan today, Neat Plan (HSL Group) director Yu Ji said the developer hopes to break ground on the master plan within three years.
“Similar to our Citadines Langit Kuching mixed-use development, we will begin interviews with all shortlisted architects to deliberate on engineering, business feasibility, and other key matters.
“This process will take about six to nine months. Securing the necessary government approvals could take another two years,” said Yu.
MOA Architects’ scheme, designed by Hung and Tan Ling Rong, triumphed over 10 other shortlisted teams and earned the RM120,000 first prize.
The top five winners showcased diverse sustainability concepts, with second place awarded to Ar Azwan Othman for a hexagonal, longhouse-inspired design, and third place to TR Hamzah & Yeang in collaboration with Aki Media, whose proposal by Datuk Ar Ken Yeang preserves 76 per cent of the site’s mangrove forest and river by placing mid-rises around the perimeter.
Completing the top five were Lateral Architects’ ‘Land Bridges’ and Qhawarizmi Architect’s ‘Hydrogen AI Smart City’.
PAM president Adrianta Aziz chaired the seven-member judging panel, which included award-winning architects and representatives from HSL.
The total prize money of RM250,000 was fully sponsored by HSL, while PAM designed and managed the competition.
Adrianta, in his role as a jury member, underscored the transparency of the selection process in his speech.
“Stage One judging was anonymous; we saw only printed boards. In Stage Two, each finalist presented and faced a Q&A. A competition remains the fairest way to judge merit,” he said, noting that AIR is the only architecture masterplanning competition held across 2024 and 2025.
Adrianta also praised HSL and the participating teams, adding: “Ultimately, the real winners will be the people of Kuching and Sarawak. They will enjoy a development with public spaces, clean air above, and clean air (water) below. Syabas, HSL.”
PAM and HSL are also exploring the possibility of hosting talks by AIR winners for university students.
Also present was Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, who represented Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the ceremony. — DayakDaily
