Two teams from UTAR Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES) triumphed at the Harmony Haven by Putrajaya Lake Design Competition 2024, securing the Champion and First Runner-up titles among competitors from foreign and local universities.
The results of the competition were officially announced on 21 October 2024 at the 35th PAM Architectural Student Workshop, held at UTAR Kampar Campus.
From right: Ho, Cho, Loo and En Abd Muluk receiving the prizes during the prize-giving ceremony
Crowned as the Champion of the architectural design competition, the team of Bachelor of Science (Honours) Architecture students, comprising Kennath Selvanesan, Cho Chi Kei, Loo Jet Shen, Muhammad Zahiruddin bin Muhamad Ali, and Ho Ying Xuan, won a cash prize of RM5,000 and a certificate. The team was supervised by LKC FES Specialist I En Abd Muluk bin Abd Manan.
The wedding hall in Cultural Currents, envisioned as an innovative sculpture with rich traditional hues
Titled Cultural Currents, the team’s award-winning design drew inspiration from the flowing nature of water, seamlessly blending a rich tapestry of diverse Malaysian elements, as outlined in their master plan. Centred around greenery such as bamboo and hibiscus, the design not only highlighted the harmonious fluidity between the Putrajaya Lake and sustainable concepts, but also celebrated the unique diversity of cultural elements in Malaysia. It reimagined the space between the Everly Hotel Putrajaya and the lake as a vibrant social hub, inviting both locals and tourists to actively interact with the environment.
From right: Mr Loh, Hor, Wong, Low, and Song (far left) receiving the prizes during the prize-giving ceremony
The team of Architecture students, including Low Heng Shan, Song Yin Chyuan, Hor Jun Yang, Wong Cheok Shyang, and Lee Yong Wei, was awarded First Runner-up, walking away with a cash prize of RM3,000 and a certificate. The team was supervised by LKC FES Specialist I Ar Loh Khang Yong.
The team’s award-winning design was titled Branching Out to Harmony Haven. It was mainly inspired by tree branch patterns and the local ecosystem, which took form as a connector between the Everly Hotel Putrajaya and the Putrajaya Lake.
The bird’s-eye view of Branching Out to Harmony Haven, envisioned as a modern eco-inspired public space
The team explained, “Our proposal aims to connect the five nodes (key building elements of the competition) via a tree branch pattern. Each node is represented by a tree component, namely leaf, fruit, trunk, twig, and flower. They are also centred around the five human senses, namely hearing, taste, touch, smell, and sight, with each functionality corresponding to the context of the site. Meanwhile, each node addresses sustainability issues by incorporating passive design to encourage eco-friendly activities. We also infused elements of local culture into each node through the application of Malaysian floral motifs, which are commonly found in Malaysian art and craft. They are applied onto the building surface, softscape or hardscape of the design.”
Low, the leader of the team, said, “During our visit to the Putrajaya Lake, we were mesmerised by the hidden haven between the hotel and the lake. However, it is underutilised due to missing linkages connecting these spaces. Hence, through Project Branching Out to Harmony Haven, we hope to provide a solution to introduce the missing linkages between the hotel and the lake’s surrounding, creating more interactive opportunities between humans and nature.”
Harmony Haven by Putrajaya Lake Design Competition
Organised by UTAR and sponsored by the Everly Group, the Harmony Haven by Putrajaya Design Competition invited architects to envision a public space beside the Putrajaya Lake that encourages community interaction and engagement while reflecting the cultural and environmental essence of Putrajaya. Participants were tasked with incorporating five key building elements in the design, including an amphitheatre for outdoor cultural performances, a kiosk, an iconic pedestrian bridge, a family outing area, and a wedding reception hall. Moreover, the design needed to embody Malaysian cultural heritage while integrating principles of sustainability and modern technology, creating a harmonious balance between tradition, innovation, and environmental stewardship.
The competition was joined by Universitas Warmadewa of Indonesia, the University of Mindanao of the Philippines, Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), and UTAR.
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