Living river barrier scheme wins PAM architecture award

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 8): A design that addresses the growing concern about rising river levels and that encourages hydroelectric power generation has won the PAM-Tan Sri Chan Sau Lai Architecture Award (TSCSLAA) 2015.

Wong Guan Xiong of the Architectural Association School of Architecture in the UK beat 92 other contestants to take home the award for his “The Living Thames Barrier” design scheme, winning RM25,000. The awards ceremony was held today in Kuala Lumpur.

Wong’s design consists of a bridge across the River Thames with residential and commercial components, that attempts to address concerns about rising river levels and generate hydroelectric energy for future London developments.

According to the award benefactor Tan Sri Chan Sau Lai, the winning entry is a visually dramatic structure and exciting architectural solution. Chan is an architect by profession and sits on the PAM Education Fund board of management and board of trustees, and is also executive chairman of Beneton Properties Group.

This year’s award saw four commendation prize winners: Samuel Lee Chee Zin (Sibu Waterfront Redevelopment), Wong Yow Han (Reviving Kampong Phluk on Tonle Sap Lake), Mohammad Farhan Fahmie bin Mohd Radzi (Architecture Pedagogy: Penang School of Architecture) and Chua Khee How (Bario Cultural Village: S-Long House). They won RM5,000 each.

There were four finalists: Chin Kah Meng (entry: Ananas Park), Chia Shook Qing (Orang Asli Community Centre in Gombak), Sia Hong Rui (Kayu Ara Organic Farming Learning Centre) and Lee Sim Chuan (Living Market). They won RM1,000 each.

The jury members for the award comprised Chan; immediate past president of PAM, Chan Seong Aun; past president of PAM (2009-2011) and co-founder of the award Boon Che Wee; current PAM president Mohd Zulhemlee An who is also chairman of the education committee; Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers (MIID) council member and chairman of MIID Awards for Design Excellence 2015 Lim Pay Chye; president of Institute of Landscape Architect Malaysia Dr Osman Mohd Tahir and past president of PAM (2011-2013) Saifuddin bin Ahmad.

Prizes were presented by Kuala Lumpur City Hall executive director for project implementation and building maintenance, Juminan bin Samad.

Inaugurated in 2012, the award aims to recognise outstanding achievements in design by PAM student members who have just completed their architecture course in the immediate preceding year, in Malaysia or abroad.

This year’s competition attracted entries locally and from abroad, including the University of New South Wales, University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, University of Singapore, South China University of Technology, Taylor’s University, University of Technology Mara, Universiti Technologi Malaysia, University Putra Malaysia, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Universiti Sains Malaysia and Universiti Malaya.