The AIR Master Plan Design Competition draws 125 registrations nationwide, majority from outside Sarawak

PAM and HSL will put up all proposals for public display at various locations around town. File photo shows public display for PAM-HSL’s Langit competition in 2021.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, July 17: The AIR Master Plan Design Competition has attracted 125 registrations from architects, town planners, and landscapers across Malaysia, with almost 80 per cent of registrants coming from outside Sarawak.

With the registration phase now closed, the competition, focused on a 13-acre site adjacent to Kuching International Airport (KIA) and Saradise, has entered the “Replies to Queries” stage.

The Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) and Hock Seng Lee (HSL), the competition promoter and landowner, are diligently reviewing participants’ questions and preparing detailed responses.

While the significant interest from renowned Malaysian architects is noted, PAM will not disclose participant identities to ensure the initial judging phase remains anonymous and uphold meritocracy.

The AIR competition convenor Ar Amzar Ahmad revealed that inquiries covered topics such as maximum building heights, Sarawak’s unique building guidelines, and surrounding land use.

“Responses will be provided by three parties: PAM, a co-convenor from PAM Sarawak Chapter, and HSL. Master plan competitions present numerous opportunities and challenges. We are committed to providing thorough answers and will publish a comprehensive FAQ by July 26 on airkch.com.

“The wide-ranging subjects of queries asked should result in exciting proposals,” he said in a media release today.

The competition site is located on a 13 acre piece of land between Kuching International Airport and Saradise.

HSL managing director Dato Paul Yu Chee Hoe expressed enthusiasm about the increased in the number of registered participants for the competition compared to the first competition, Langit, in 2021, which received 112 registrations.

“This increased participation reflects the growing interest and awareness within the architectural community towards PAM’s initiatives and HSL’s role as a professional-led developer. This competition offers a significant platform for architects to showcase their innovative ideas,” he stated.

Launched in May, AIR is Malaysia’s sole master plan architecture competition for 2024. The competition offers a total prize pool of RM245,000, with HSL committed to constructing one of the winning entries. This follows the precedent set by the 2021 competition, which led to the development of Langit Citadines Kuching, soon to begin construction.

The judging process involves a seven-member panel, which will shortlist the top 10 entries in a two-stage evaluation. To ensure fairness, the initial shortlisting will be anonymous, giving young architects an equal chance against established industry figures.

Shortlisted participants will present their proposals to the jury in November, with final rankings to be determined subsequently. The results are expected by the end of the year. Jurors will assess entries based on design innovation, eco-sustainability, and business feasibility.

For more information, visit airkch.com, hsl.com.my, or search #airkch on social media. — DayakDaily