Malaysian architects had their ‘Oscars’ night on May 12, 2017, at which a ‘Building of the Year’ and gold medal winners in different competition categories were announced.
PAM sent a message to the industry last year: While there was quality in the projects submitted in 2016, they were lacking in other important aspects, it seems. It was a reminder that these awards are held to promote not only design excellence but also the advancement of a quality built environment with beneficial social, physical, and cultural impacts as well as diversity in Malaysian architecture.PAM president Mohd Zulhemlee An said last year that the jury had looked for ‘truly Malaysian architecture’, designs in line with local culture and lifestyles, and didn’t find any deserving of a gold medal in the 121 submissions.
This year, they did, despite receiving fewer entries at 77.
The ‘Building of the Year’ award went to the Twinkle Villa project in Kampung Janda Baik, Bentong, Pahang.
Also notable are the revival of a historical fort and a mosque that challenges design conventions.
This year, 10 categories were open for nominations: Alteration and Addition, Commercial (Low Rise), Conservation, Education, Multiple Residential (Low Rise), Planning and Master Planning, Public and Institutional, Showroom, Single Residential, Sport and Recreation.
All categories had gold or silver medal winners except for the Alteration & Addition and Showroom categories; submissions in these two areas received only Commendation awards.
The 2017 jury comprised Mohd Zulhemlee again, in his position of outgoing PAM president; architect Almaz Salma Abdul Rahim; architectural academician Dr Mariam Jamaludin; and designer Zachary Haris Ong.
(Source: www.star2.com)
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