More green rating tools to be launched

KUALA LUMPUR: Three more green rating tools are expected be launched by the second quarter (2Q) of 2011, said Boon Che Wee, president of the Malaysia Institute of Architects (PAM).

"We are now finalising the rating tool for township and neighbourhood development with the participation of key local authorities and moderated by the Green Building Index (GBI) team and Ed Cotter, creator of BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) Communities. It is scheduled to be launched by end of the year," said Boon in his speech during the PAM Architectural Awards 2010 held in conjunction with PAM’s Annual Dinner on Saturday, Sept 25.

He added that the GBI team is working with the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) to complete the green rating tool for industrial buildings, which is expected to be launched in 1Q 2011. This will be followed by the launch of the non-residential rating for retail in 2Q 2011.

Boon also credited Works Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor, who was the guest of honor, for driving the participation of the public sector in the GBI, which was launched in May 2009.

Awards were given out in eight categories including single residential, overseas buildings, multiple residential (low-rise), multiple residential (high-rise), conservation buildings, public and civic buildings, alterations and additions, and special category.

Wooi Architect took top honors in the single residential category for his work on Ting residence in Kuala Lumpur. Iringan Hijau, also in Kuala Lumpur by C’ Arch Architecture & Design Sdn Bhd, won the multiple residential (low-rise) category, while Arkitek LLA Sdn Bhd’s restoration work on Suffolk House in Penang won in the conservation buildings category.

Meanwhile, Mike Boon Chee Kian emerged the winner in the public and civic buildings category for Sarawak’s Taman Panorama Benak (Tidal Bore Observatory) and Wong Tung Ken won in the alterations and additions category for Duta House in Kuala Lumpur. The awards aims to recognise Malaysian architects in their pursuit of excellence in design, as well as promote the advancement of quality built environments that have beneficial social, physical and cultural impact in Malaysia, and recognise the diversity of Malaysian Architecture. 

The event also honoured the winners of the PAM 3 Stonor Architectural Ideas Competition, which saw Jack Oon Yeet Yeet of Architects Associates taking home the first prize of RM50,000. Joint-third prizes of RM15,000 each went to Mohd Heikal Hasan and Zon Design Rekabina Sdn Bhd’s Ahmad Jaafar Azizul Rahman. The prize money was sponsored by the PAM Education Fund (PEF).

Meanwhile, three students — Auzan Sulaiman from Universiti Teknologi MARA, Mohd Hazwan Hamidi from Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia, and You Li San from Universiti Malaya — were chosen recipients of the PAM-Johnson Suisse Scholarship Award 2010, which comes with an annual stipend of RM7,500 per student for the last two years of study in an architectural course at an accredited Malaysian university.