Competition for Air Master Plan design receives 125 registrations

About 80% of Registered Participants Are From Outside Sarawak

KUCHING: The AIR Master Plan Design Competition has attracted 125 registrations from architects, town planners, and landscapers across Malaysia.

The competition has seen significant interest from renowned Malaysian architects. However, the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) will not disclose participant identities, ensuring the initial judging phase remains anonymous to uphold meritocracy.

Of the total, almost 80% of registrants are from outside Sarawak.

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

PAM and Hock Seng Lee (HSL), the competition promoter and landowner, are diligently reviewing participants' questions and preparing detailed responses.

“These inquiries cover topics such as maximum building heights, Sarawak’s unique building guidelines, and surrounding land use,” explained Ar Amzar Ahmad, the AIR competition convenor.

“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,” he said.

Amzar said the wide-ranging subjects of queries asked should result in exciting proposals.

HSL Managing Director Dato Paul Yu Chee Hoe expressed enthusiasm about the number of registered participants.

“Compared to our first competition, Langit, in 2021, which received 112 registrations, AIR has drawn 125. 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.

DISCUSSION: PAM and HSL are in the “Replies to Queries” discussion stage for the AIR master plan design competition. A total of 125 architects, town planners and landscapers have registered for the competition. Hundreds of questions have been received.

DISPLAY: 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.

EXHIBITION: 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.

FLASHBACK: New of PAM-HSL’s Langit competition in 2021, which was put on public display. That competition led to HSL-Ascott’s Langit Citadines Kuching mixed-use high-rise development, which begins construction this year. AIR is PAM-HSL’s second competition.

AIR: PAM-HSL’s master plan design competition is for a 13acre plot of land next to Kuching International Airport and Saradise. The landowner HSL is seeking the best ideas from architects, town planners and landscapers for its next project.

LOGO: “AIR – Building With Nature.” Air is Malay for water, presenting the nature of the competition site. The developer also envisions a development surrounded by greenery and fresh air.