Top 11 finalists for ‘AIR’ masterplan competition unveiled, showcasing bold visions for Kuching’s future

The top 11 finalists comprised conventional to bold entries.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Oct 23: The 11 finalists for the prestigious ‘AIR’ masterplan competition, which focuses on a parcel of land opposite Kuching International Airport, have been announced.

According to a media release today, the shortlisted proposals showcase a broad spectrum of ideas, ranging from practical developments to bold, innovative concepts.

Some conventional entries feature phased developments of high-rise residential units integrated with mixed-use commercial spaces.

In contrast, more audacious proposals envision “horizontal high-rises” elevated on stilts, preserving much of the site’s natural undergrowth.

Aerial shot of 13.5-acre piece of land opposite Kuching airport.

A seven-member jury — consisting of five architects and two representatives from construction firm Hock Seng Lee (HSL) — selected the finalists from 75 qualified submissions.

The shortlist comprises 11 entries due to the tying of scores among top entries. The jury deliberated for over two hours, and the shortlist was a unanimous decision.

Jury chair Ar Adrianta Aziz, president of the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM), praised the high quality of the submissions.

“Many entries demonstrated deep thinking, with several offering creative, out-of-the-box solutions for the 13.5acre site, which is uniquely intersected by a stream.

“The AIR competition showcases the wealth of architectural, town planning, and landscaping talent in Malaysia. As the only competition of its kind in the country this year, the participants really gave their best. We saw everything from feasible high-rises to bold visions for building with nature,” he said.

One of the top 11 finalists’ bold entries.

The jurors had two weeks to review the submissions before convening at HSL Tower on Oct 17 to finalise the shortlist.

HSL plans to exhibit the concept boards of the shortlisted entries at its headquarters soon.

The ‘AIR’ masterplan competition is a collaboration between PAM and HSL, following the success of their 2021 Langit high-rise competition, which led to the development of Langit Citadines Kuching in partnership with Singapore’s CapitaLand.

The winning proposal for AIR will receive RM120,000, with RM60,000 for second place, RM30,000 for third, and eight honorariums of RM5,000 each. HSL has committed to developing one of the winning designs, as they did with Langit.

The seven jurors, comprising pan Malaysian architects and two directors from Hock Seng Lee, deliberating at HSL Tower during the shortlisting meet on Oct 12, 2024.

HSL, the developer behind La Promenade — which was designed as “a town within a park” — aims for AIR to set a new benchmark in eco-friendly development. The competition’s tagline, “The AIR Above Us & Di Bawah AIR Mengalir” (translated as “The Water Beneath Us”), reflects this aspiration.

HSL managing director Datuk Paul Yu expressed excitement about the shortlisted proposals, saying, “The jurors’ shortlist is full of strong ideas, from those that could be built tomorrow to more adventurous concepts. Who knows? We might be able to turn one of these bold visions – the forward-thinking rule breakers – into reality.”

HSL’s first architecture competition was for Langit, which resulted in a joint development with Singapore’s CapitaLand to build Langit Citadines Kuching.

The top 11 finalists will present their proposals to the jurors at PAM HQ in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 11. Each team will give a presentation, followed by a 15-minute Q&A session. The entries will be evaluated with the scoring system developed by PAM.

The results will be announced on Dec 7 at HSL Tower, with Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg as the guest of honour. The event will be live-streamed on HSL’s social media channels.

For more details and to view the shortlist, visit airkch.com. — DayakDaily