Jimmy Lim wins SIA-GETZ Architecture Prize

RENOWNED Malaysian architect and academic Prof Jimmy Lim Cheok Siang of architectural firm Jimmy Lim Design has been named the winner of the 2012 SIA-Getz Architecture Prize for Emergent Architecture in Asia.

Lim is the fourth recipient of the award presented biennially by the Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA) and supported by Getz Bros & Co (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

The award honours architects for their creative innovation in enriching the built environment while making waves in Asia and beyond through their distinctive works.

Lim received the award at a ceremony in Singapore on Oct 17 from Saifuddin Ahmad, president of the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM); Theodore Chan, president of the Singapore Institute of Architects; Ray Simkins, president of the Getz Group; and Winy Maas, the co-founding director of MVRDV, a Netherlands-based firm that focuses on global operating architecture and urbanism practice with a progressive ideal engaged in solving issues.

"Being honoured by this award, we are encouraged and more resolute to pursue our architectural ideas," says Lim, adding that it affirms the work of Asian architects and provides additional impetus for them to explore new solutions to their work.

Lim says his designs have always dwelled on the periphery of mainstream architectural style, exploring ideas that were never popular at that time.

"Way before 'green' and 'sustainability' became buzz words, Lim was already pushing the agenda in the 1980s with his designs, promoting architecture that is responsive to the environment and climate, using recycled building materials, focusing on comfort and promoting energy consumption awareness,"says Saifuddin, adding that the idea of orientation, passive cooling and the use of local materials were all factors that were carefully considered in Lim's architecture.

Three landmark houses that best exemplify his body of work are the Schneider House in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, the Walian House located off Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur and his own house in Bukit Seputih ,Kuala Lumpur.

The Schneider and Walian Houses epitomise the best in tropical house design with the innovative use of timber, soaring roofs and open-plan concepts, says Saifuddin, noting that the open-plan living spaces and the outdoor showers that open to the skies are all features that are being copied in the many current so-called Balinese and tropical houses.

"Jimmy's own house, a 1960s developer spec house, has been heavily re-modelled by him. It is a labour of love and an organic project as it is constantly being worked on ... he has been adding on bits and pieces for the last 30 years. His house is a mix-and-match of timber and bricks and canton floor tiles which is made out of recycled and reused old discarded timber structures, doors, windows, broken tiles and ceramic floor tiles," Saifuddin adds.

The prize honours a living architect and is open to all licensed architects practising in Asia. It is aimed at bringing about greater recognition for emergent Asian architects and architecture, promoting greater public involvement and appreciation for Asian architecture and encouraging future generations of Asian architects. The award comes with a cash prize of US$20,000.

The international panel of jury comprises renowned architects from Asia, including Professor Philip Cox (Royal Australian Institute of Architects Gold Recipient), Lee Chor Wah (director and CEO of SN Low and Associates Sdn Bhd, Malaysia), Mubasshar Hussain (chairman of Architects Regional Council of Asia [ARCASIA] and president of Institute of Architects Bangladesh), Chan Soo Khian (design director of SCDA Architects and 2006 Laureate); Richard Hassell (co-founding director of WOHA and 2010 Laureate); and Ashvinkumar Kantilal (immediate past president of Singapore Institute of Architects).

Since its inauguration in 2005 in conjunction with Getz Bros & Co's 88th anniversary, the prize has drawn about 30 nominations from a dozen countries, including Japan, China, India, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

Past recipients of the SIA-Getz Architecture Prize were Singaporean Chan Soo Khian (Laureate 2006), Japanese Dr Hitoshi Abe (Laureate 2008), as well as Australian Richard Hassell and Singaporean Wong Mun Summ (co-Laureates 2010).

Getz Bros & Co is an architectural building material supplies and services provider and is part of the Getz Group, which is represented in 25 countries in Asia-Pacific.

The Singapore Institute of Architects is a professional organisation established in 1961 with the objective of promoting the architectural profession and the built environment in Singapore. The institute is the sole representative of the architectural profession in Singapore.

This story first appeared in The Edge weekly edition of Nov 19-25, 2012.