No one would expect an affordable or low-cost housing project to win an international property award but this year, the Fiabci (International Real Estate Federation) Prix d’Excellence Awards found one such winner.

The project came out of China, a first-time participant in the awards. Of the four entries from China, two were winners and one a runner-up.

So impressed were the judges with the Chinese entry that they decided to create a special award this year called the Beijing Congress Award in recognition of the project. “We thought it deserved to win but it would be unfair to have an affordable housing project in the same category as the other residential projects, which are mainly high-end,” says Fiabci Asia-Pacific’s secretary-general and awards president Kumar Tharmalingam.

The name of the award is in conjunction with the 60th Fiabci World Congress, which was to have been held from May 19 to 23 in Beijing, China. The event was called off following fears of the A(H1N1) flu pandemic.

Among the winners this year were two Malaysian projects — Setia Eco Gardens, Johor, in the Master Plan category and Pavilion KL in the Retail category — while four other projects were runners-up in various categrories (see box on Malaysian winners).

The Fiabci Prix d’ Excellence Awards 2009 winners were announced on May 21.

According to Kumar, the Chinese Real Estate Association (CREA), which was responsible for getting the Chinese entries, was particularly focused on submitting projects by local developers whom they were certain were capable of producing world-class developments.

“The judges were impressed by the Chinese entries, especially a low-cost housing project. We were impressed by the way the project addressed issues faced in the country with regard to low-cost housing,” he says.

China was not the only first-time winner on the list. The others were Russia in the Office category for its Federation Tower — the tallest building in Europe — and India, which won in the Heritage (Restoration) category for the Prestige Elgin high-end apartments in Bangalore.

“These countries are where the exciting projects and concepts are coming from. So, the Fiabci Prix d’Excellence Awards is a New World awards and we will see more entries from South America, Eastern Europe and Asia in future. Compared with the Western countries, these have so much room to grow and explore,” says Kumar.


Malaysian developers
Malaysian developers once again fared well at the awards, with top property developer S P Setia Bhd winning in the Master Plan category for its Setia Eco Gardens township in Johor. In 2007, S P Setia had won in the same category for its 791-acre Setia Eco Park development in Shah Alam, Selangor.

Its first win spurred the group to look at new ways of sharing the eco concept with the masses, says Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin, president & CEO of S P Setia. “When we were given the opportunity to plan Setia Eco Gardens, we took on the challenge to create yet another eco development that would cater for the masses.”

The recognition by Fiabci International is an acknowledgement of the dedication of Team Setia, which keeps raising the bar in the industry to remain at the top, he adds.

“Our roots in Johor are deep. We have come a long way from being just a township developer that offered nice landscapes in our projects. We have several landscape awards to our name for our Johor projects.

Today, as we move forward to being a fully integrated property player, we are heartened by the fact that our efforts over the years to differentiate ourselves as the developer of choice have been rewarded with such a well-respected award in the property industry,” Liew says.

The township is distinguished by its eco concept that successfully juxtaposes the luxury and convenience of modern living with a sustainable and natural environment through efforts like the preservation of natural surroundings, protection of forest reserves and adoption of environmentally friendly living methods.

“In preserving the environment, we set aside more than 14.2% of the land for green zones. This is more than double the 7% that is the requirement for a standard mixed development,” Liew explains.

The runner-up in this category was Lake Edge Puchong, Selangor, by YTL Land & Development Bhd. Pavilion KL came out tops in the Retail category.

Joyce Yap, Kuala Lumpur Pavilion Sdn Bhd's CEO-Retail, attributes the win to several factors. "The leading edge retail design, outstanding tenant mix and six-star lifestyle experience we offer our visitors have been the key.  We are the first shopping centre in Malaysia to have 2-storey street-front duplex stores and themed precincts, which adds to our international appeal.

“Our ‘totality’ approach to enhancing the Bukit Bintang commercial district by engaging the whole community has also positioned us as the anchor development in the area, reviving the glory that Bukit Bintang used to have,” she says.

According to Yap, the award signifies the international industry’s recognition of its efforts to maintain Pavilion KL as a world-class lifestyle destination and an authority on fashion, dining and urban leisure.
“Pavilion KL has proved its merit in raising the bar in the Malaysian retail industry and is on a par with international retail hubs from around the world. It has elevated service levels to new heights, catering for customers as well as our stakeholders,” she says.

The mall is operating at 100% occupancy with a total of 450 tenants. It receives about 2.5 million visitors per month. "We are now in the process of planning the creation of more leasing space.  In the coming months, new stores opening at Pavilion KL include international brands like TUMI, Van Laack and Swarovski," Yap adds.

While Malaysian developers have done well over the last few years, winning in at least one category, they will have to work harder to stay in the competition, especially with the growing presence of countries like China, India and Russia, which are just waking up to the awards, says Kumar.

These countries also have a strong population base to support their building and housing industry. On the other hand, the demand for and supply of housing in Malaysia have reached an equilibrium and greenfield developments are getting scarce.

Kumar, however, believes the younger generation of Malaysian developers will offer better schemes as they are more open to new ideas and change. Projects will also have to be more niche and design-based to stand out.

Judges for the Fiabci Prix d’Excellence Awards looked for projects with a strong “green” or environmental factor and the X factor. “The project must stand out. For instance, the runner-up in the Residential category — Newton Suites condominium in Singapore — features a unique and ingenious window design called the monsoon window. The window shutter is designed in such a way that it remains open when it rains, allowing cool air to flow in but not the rain,” says Kumar.

The winner in the Residential category was another condominium project in Singapore — the luxury Orchard Scotts project — while The Maple at Sentul West of Malaysia’s YTL Land & Development came in third.

All the entries were evaluated by two sets of judges. The panel of seven oversight judges headed by Kumar judges every entry while nine other chapter judges, comprising Fiabci chapter presidents from around the world, rate selected categories.

Over the last six years, the awards have been managed by the Fiabci Asia-Pacific secretariat. For the first time, the secretariat has set up a dedicated website (www.fiabciprix.com) for the awards where the winning entries can be viewed. The website was initially set up to facilitate the judging process because the judges are from Fiabci chapters around the world. It also reduces the cost of delivering the entry materials to the various judges. “All the judge needs to do is log in using a password and they will be able to view the entries for judging,” Kumar says. Videos of the winning projects may also be viewed on YouTube.


About the awards
The Fiabci Prix d’Excellence recognises projects that embody excellence in all the real estate disciplines involved in its creation. Awarded by an international panel comprising top real estate professionals and experts, the Fiabci Prix d’Excellence rewards overall merit, not just aesthetics, functionality or size.

The winner has the right to use the award logo and gain access to unique international platforms for its projects and to companies throughout the extensive Fiabci network.

Projects are judged based on their general description, architecture and design, development and construction, community benefits and environmental impact and financial and marketing.

Fiabci is an organisation of real estate professionals in 65 countries representing more than 100 national real estate associations and over two million professionals. It holds a special “consultative” status to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations Organisation (ECOSOC). For more information, visit www.FIABCI.org.

Malaysian winners

Setia Eco Gardens, Johor
Winner — Master Plan category

The 948-acre residential township development in Johor offers the luxuries of modern living in a sustainable environment. The development master plan incorporates a comprehensive strategy to restore and conserve the site’s original ecosystem while enabling man and nature to coexist in harmony. Over 14% of the development has been earmarked as green zones, which include a rainforest reserve, town park as well as bird island, butterfly creek and aquatic sanctuaries. These features and many others can educate residents on the importance and benefits of environmental sustainability.

The enclave offers a range of home options, from affordable link homes to lavish bungalows. Residents also have ready access to a full scope of amenities — private and international schools, a private clubhouse and more.

The project is planned for completion in 2018. As at October 2008, 355 of its homes had been sold. This is S P Setia’s second win in the category. It won in 2007 for its Setia Eco Park development in Shah Alam, Selangor.


Pavilion KL
Winner — Retail category

Pavilion KL is part of an integrated four-part mixed-use urban development. The 7-storey shopping centre is part of a development which comprises two luxury residential towers rising above the retail podium; a 19-storey corporate office block; and a proposed boutique hotel. The 12.6-acre development at the intersection of Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Raja Chulan was completed in September 2007, offering 1.3 million sq ft of net lettable space. It boasts 450 outlets comprising a good tenant mix of fashion, dining and urban leisure in the mid to upper-market segment.

Pavilion KL is demarcated into six precincts, each with its special offerings. The Bintang Circle (concourse) is the centre point of Pavilion KL, located at the foot of a flight of Spanish steps. The precinct is illuminated by sunlight streaming in through a skydome during the day.

The Couture Pavilion is home to luxury fashion boutiques and designer brands while the HOME precinct houses home décor items, ideas and office furnishings. Connection is the place for urban leisure activities, including a gym and a 13-hall cineplex. The F&B precinct is called the Gourmet Emporium and finally, Seventh Heaven is the wellness and beauty section dedicated to women.


G Hotel, Penang 1st runner-up — Hotel category
The new designer 19-storey hotel along Persiaran Gurney or Gurney Drive was completed in December 2007. It is distinguished by its modern contemporary and stylish interior design with the trendiest creations from top-rated designers around the world. All 304 rooms and suites feature minimalist designer furniture. There are 29 serviced residences of one or two bedrooms for longer stay guests.

Average occupancy in 2008 was 80%. Fully owned and developed by G Hotel Sdn Bhd, the building was designed to ensure that each room has a seaside view. Before the land for the hotel was cleared, most of the trees there were relocated to another site.


Lake Edge Puchong, Selangor
1st runner-up — Master Plan category

Developed by YTL Land & Development, this is the first gated lakeside development in Puchong, Selangor. It comprises 80 acres of leasehold land of which 45% is dedicated to landscaping and open space. The site borders two disused mining lakes which were transformed into landscaped waterfront promenades. The homes were inspired by Australia’s green street concept with spacious footpaths, specially designed street furniture and curved streets bordered by lush greenery. The 420 units of landed homes planned here are fenceless.

The master plan was launched in 2004 and the whole development is expected to be completed in 2011.

Landscaping is utilised to encourage residents to enjoy the outdoors and interact with nature and their neighbours. Residents also enjoy a linear park, a clubhouse with recreational facilities and a children’s playground.


1 Sentral, KL
1st runner-up — Office category

Owned by Lembaga Tabung Haji and developed by Malaysia Resources Corp Bhd (MRCB), the 32-storey purpose-built office building with retail space in the lobby was completed in March 2007. The Class A offices are located on a one-acre site within KL Sentral, an integrated development in a public transport hub that has been accorded MSC Cybercentre status.    




The Maple at Sentul West, KL
2nd runner-up — Residential category

Developed by YTL Land & Development, The Maple is a high-rise residential development set in a private 35-acre gated park with lakes and trails called Sentul Park in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur. It comprises two 30-storey towers with 318 units. The KL Performing Arts Centre is a short walk away. The Maple is part of the Sentul West and Sentul East urban redevelopment master plan, which was a runner-up in the Fiabci Prix d’Excellence Awards 2008 in the Master Plan category. The freehold 294-acre development comprising residential, commercial and retail components was launched in 2002 and will be completed in 10 years.



The Nanjing River Bank Family project

China has an affordable housing programme which saw 36 million homes built during the 1950s up to the 1970s. Maintenance and cost were the main issues faced in these projects.

The Nanjing River Bank Family affordable housing project, however, was able to overcome these issues so successfully that in November 2008, the UN granted it the United Nations Contribution Award for Sustainable Urban Development. The project has become a model for affordable housing in the country, says Fiabci Prix d’Excellence Awards’ president Kumar Tharmalingam.

In this project, the government earmarked 120 acres to build 5 to 6-storey walk-up apartments with 5,000 units to which to relocate residents staying along the Nanjing riverbank. The largest private developer in China undertook the project.

The apartments feature full solar panels for hot water supply while the streetlights are also solar-powered. Rainwater is harvested and used water recycled for flushing toilets and watering plants while wastewater is treated and sold as fertiliser. The project also includes a supermarket and 1-storey shops that are leased to residents. The rent money goes into a sinking fund. There is also a primary school and a kindergarten within the commune.  

No vehicles are allowed in and have to be parked for a fee on the periphery of the housing area. The parking fees collected also go into the sinking fund.  

In return for providing a high-quality development for the relocation of the villagers, the developer is allowed to take over the vacated site for future new high-value developments. “The entire concept was to fund the entire support system of the project with capital expenditure upfront so as to reduce the long-term management and maintenance cost. They used integrated technology and advanced project management to make sure that both public service and infrastructure is self-sufficient and green,”explains Kumar.


This article appeared in City & Country, the property pullout of The Edge Malaysia, Issue 756, May 25 – 31, 2009.

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