Redesign Kuching’s bus stops as part of MBKS, PAMSC contest for architecture grads, students

Wee (second left) together with PAMSC chairwomen Ar. Ivy Jong (second right), councilor Kho Teck Wan (left) and the others showing the PAMSC-MBKS Bus Stop Design Competition posters after the press conference today.

KUCHING, April 8: The Kuching South City Council (MBKS) together with Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia Sarawak Chapter (PAMSC) are calling for architecture graduates and students to take part in PAMSC-MBKS Bus Stop Design Competition in an effort to revamp the existing design.

MBKS Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said the competition was organised to realize the vision of the Council to enhance the quality of life of the people and to promote Kuching City South as an attractive safe, green and smart city.

“The purpose of this competition is to revitalize the public amenities in Kuching South areas by putting in creative, innovative and sustainable architectural design ideas beginning with the bus stop; a place for people to take shade from rain or to wait for a ride home.

“The existing bus stops (a total of 32) in Kuching south areas will be facelifted with a new and refreshing look,” he said in a press conference held at MBKS headquarters in Jalan Padungan, here today.

Wee noted that the fruition of the newly designed bus stops in Kuching South areas will definitely complement the effort of the State government in providing free electric public bus (e-Bus) service to city folk and visitors alike in addition to the RM1 Flat Rate Bus Fare Programme.

“It is hoped that this will discourage the influx of vehicles into the city area and thus reduce carbon emissions, which is detrimental to one’s health and the environment,” he added.

Participation is free of charge, but registration is compulsory and only registered participants may submit queries and entries to the Competition Secretariat.

Each participant however, can submit more than one entry, subject to separate registration for each submission, and the registration date for the Competition will start today (April 8) and close on May 20, 2021.

The final submission date will be on June 17, 2021 and the submitted entries will be evaluated in order of their merit, based on the entry’s design excellence, the buildability, practicality, innovation and whether or not it is a sustainable solution.

The Competition involves two categories, namely the Graduate Architect Category and Student Category.

For the Graduate Architect Category’s winners, the first, second and third place winner will receive cash prizes RM3,000, RM1,500 and RM1,000 with Certificates of Award respectively.

Each of the five shortlisted entries will receive RM500 with Certificates of Award.

The winners for Student Category, on the other hand, will receive cash prizes of RM1,500, RM1,000 and RM500 with Certificates of Award for their respective winning positions, as well as RM200 with Certificates of Award for each of the five shortlisted entries.

Registration forms can be obtained from Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia Sarawak Chapter or at the MBKS lobby. — DayakDaily