Contemporary designs and green and sustainable architecture proved to be winning elements at the 2011 Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) Awards. A number of the projects submitted were designed to adapt to their surroundings and featured energy-efficient buildings.

First instituted in 1988, the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) Gold Medal has only been awarded to five architects. It is the highest honour awarded by PAM to recognise lifetime achievement in architecture by Malaysian architects.

At property auctions, it’s not the newest or the most glamorous properties that get sold, but the grittiest. This was evident at Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL)’s property auction on June 23, when two properties were sold under the hammer.

KUALA LUMPUR : Hua Yang Bhd is set to launch more affordable homes in the country as well as plans of expansion to Penang and East Malaysia, its CEO Ho Wen Yan said after the company’s AGM on Friday, Aug 19. In its current financial year ending March 31, 2012, Hua Yang plans to launch projects with a gross development value (GDV) totaling RM525 million.

PETALING JAYA: Unsold units of the Nautica Lake Suites condominium in Sunway South Quay in Bandar Sunway are being released to Malaysian buyers for sale at a discount by South Korea-based owner Luxury Court Sdn Bhd. The condo comprising 249 units is the first completed condo in Sunway City Bhd’s Sunway South Quay. At end-2007, it was sold en bloc to Luxury Court Sdn Bhd for RM200 million.

KUALA LUMPUR: Swiss-Garden Residences have achieved to-date 90% average occupancy following its soft launch in April, said operator Swiss-Garden Hotel & Residences central region group general manager Rayan Komatt.“This is a reflection and testament that serviced residences are in great demand and an emerging trend compared to hotels,” he said in a speech at the official opening of its firs

KUALA LUMPUR: Fitters Diversified Bhd was reprimanded by Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd (Bursa Malaysia) yesterday for the late submission of its annual audited accounts for FY10 ended Dec 31, according to an announcement on the exchange’s website.

KUALA LUMPUR: Niche property developer Magna Prima Bhd’s (MPB)  net profit ballooned by a whopping 305% to RM4 million for its second quarter ended June 30 (2Q11) from RM988,000 a year ago, despite receiving lower revenue of RM27.4 million from RM30.7 million previously.

KUALA LUMPUR: A flurry of recent unusual share purchases at Eastern and Oriental Bhd (E&O) amid the market’s sell-off is raising speculation that something could be brewing at the Penang-based property developer.

KUALA LUMPUR: A Ministry of Finance Inc company, MRT Co, approved by the Cabinet yesterday, will assume project and asset ownership of the Klang Valley MY Rapid Transit (KVMRT) project from Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd effective Sept 1.