MLAA The Star Property 2018

of Landscape Architecture Industry Excellence 2007-2017

An Initiative of

Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia (ILAM)

ilamalaysia

www.ilamalaysia.org

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1 The forest wilderness concept incorporates a more unkempt look, with overgrown plants and less managed landscape, to create a forestlike feel. Seen here is the Tamarind Square commercial hub in Cyberjaya.

2 Biophilic design incorporates natural materials, natural light, vegetation, views of nature and other experiences of the natural world into the modern built environment.

Seen here is the Seri Riana condominium in Wangsa Maju.

3 Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia (ILAM) president LAr. Dr Osman Mohd Tahir.

4 Oval, curved and irregular lines and shapes have taken centrestage as they create a less formal feel to a landscape design.

Seen here is the SPICE Arena in Penang.

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Transforming the landscape MLAA continues to set high standards for practitioners in the industry

By Aisyah Suwardi aisyahs@thestar.com.my

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ROM its inception in 2007, the Malaysian Landscape Architect Awards (MLAA) initially recognised landscape architects only.

“At that time we were hosting the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) World Congress.

“It was an honour to be hosting the prestigious conference, and we came up with the idea of nominating landscape architects who made significant contributions to the industry or country,” recalls Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia (ILAM) president LAr. Dr. Osman Mohd Tahir.

After two years of recognising the best in the profession, two more categories were added to include other vital

components in construction.

“We realised that when it came to landscape development, other key players such as developers and contractors had helped the industry become better,” Dr Osman explained.

Today, MLAA has 11 categories that recognise multiple organisations and individuals in the industry.

“Collaboration among several parties in any industry is significant. The progress that we have achieved is because of the inclusion of landscape architecture by developers and local authorities at planning.

“On top of that, we have students and academicians who have done extensive research to improve the field,” said Dr Osman.

Moving forward, MLAA plans to honour contributors from the media industry as well as those involved in landscape photography and videography.

“People take photos all the time, and we found that the pictures reflect the landscape of that particular area,” observed Dr Osman.

“Being the only award presenter for the industry in Malaysia, it is vital for us to include contributions that have helped raise awareness on the importance of landscape architecture.

and the technology used in creating the landscape has risen over the years,” he added.

“By recognising the efforts made by all parties in the industry, MLAA has somehow impacted the overall development of the field and in the process benchmarked the very best in the landscape development.”

Dr Osman added that ILAM published the top trends observed from the entries in their quarterly bulletin Landskap, and interested organisations could incorporate them in their next design.

The 25th edition of the bulletin highlights architecture trends in 2018, including productive landscape, biophilic design, and intercity green networks.

Dr Osman said that productive landscape is a trend where landscaping works

A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME The story of MLAA

2007

Raising the industry bar As more categories were added over the years, MLAA received an increase in the number of entries.

“In 2009, only two categories were contested. This year, we have record participation of 164 entries in 11 categories,” said Dr Osman. “The rise in the number of participants each year is an indication that people look forward to the awards.

“From the various project entries received, we noticed that the quality of work

2007

THE FIRST AWARDS Malaysia Landscape Architecture Awards started as an award in conjunction with IFLA World Congress in Kuala Lumpur. Award is through nomination by ILAM Council Members.

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make full use of fruit trees instead of ornamental trees.

“Of course we are not talking about durian trees and the like. There are lots of other fruit trees that can be incorporated into the architectural design to beautify a landscape. For example, Rokam tree or even Asam Jawa tree.

“Planting vegetables and herbs in small plots of land can also be considered productive landscape,” he said.

“It is a recent trend where residents, especially those who grew up in urban areas, are enjoying urban farming. They plant trees, flowers and herbs at their premises in the city.”

2009

INTRODUCTION OF JUDGING CRITERIA Started as 2 categories (Professional Landscape Design and Property Development Award) with judging criteria and process.

AWARD CATEGORIES 2 NUMBER OF ENTRIES 38

2009

2010

2010

INTRODUCTION OF GOVERNMENT CATEGORY Introduction of Green City Awards (Government Category).

AWARD CATEGORIES 3 NUMBER OF ENTRIES 47

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10 years and beyond With the objective of endorsing the best practices in the landscape industry, MLAA recently opened up entries for international projects.

“We see this as a way to raise standards further and set new benchmarks and trends in the industry. Practitioners in the local industry will have to take on the challenge of competing internationally.”

“Then hopefully, they will keep improving their designs in order to compete internationally,” said Dr Osman.

Commenting on the industry, Dr Osman believes that the role of a landscape architect will continue to be an essential part in the development of the country.

“The scope of landscape architects is not just designing the landscape to be incorporated into a project. In the construction of mass rapid transit (MRT) and high-speed rail (HSR) systems, we are involved in determining the best view seen by passengers as well as creating a path that will not interfere with the existing natural environment.

“As its role has broadened, ILAM has been pushing for a Landscape Architect Act to be tabled so that practitioners can be governed by a legal body,” he said, adding that the act will benefit the public the most.

With the population predicted to be living mostly in urban areas in the future, Dr Osman sees the landscape field playing a crucial part in future developments. “Amid urbanisation, disruptive technologies, and a hectic lifestyle, people forget that having nature surround us could help improve our quality of life and productivity.

“Not only is it important as a way to protect the earth, it is also seen as helping to improve the social and economic conditions of the country. I foresee that landscape will make a bigger impact than just adding aesthetic value,” added Dr Osman.

As for biophilic design, Dr Osman said it is a concept that includes nature in the modern building environment.

“Biophilia is defined as the inherent human inclination to affiliate with nature. Biophilic design uses natural materials or green products, and incorporates as much of the natural elements as possible into the development, such as sunlight, vegetation, and greenery,” he added.

Last year, MLAA added the Manufacturer category to recognise the importance of manufacturers who produce green products. “Hopefully, we will see more companies providing environment-friendly materials in the market,” said Dr Osman.

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2011

REBRANDING The award rebranded as MLAA. Introduction of Landscape Analysis and Study Award for Professionals Categories.

AWARD CATEGORIES 4 NUMBER OF ENTRIES 45

2011

By recognising the efforts made by all parties in the industry, MLAA has somehow impacted the overall development of the field and in the process, benchmarked the very best in the landscape development

2015

2013 2012

2012

INTRODUCTION OF STUDENT, RESEARCHER & MANUFACTURER CATEGORY Introduction of Student Design Awards, Research Awards and Landscape Innovation Award.

AWARD CATEGORIES 7 NUMBER OF ENTRIES 88

INTRODUCTION OF LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR CATEGORY Introduction of Landscape Construction Award.

AWARD CATEGORIES 8 NUMBER OF ENTRIES 79

2013

2014

2014

LAUNCHING OF MLAA AWARD IMAGE Introduction of new MLAA Logo & MLAA Trophy – THE TREE.

AWARD CATEGORIES 8 NUMBER OF ENTRIES 106

INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION MLAA is endorsed by the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA).

Introduction of Young Landscape Architect Award.

AWARD CATEGORIES 9 NUMBER OF ENTRIES 130

2015

2017

2016

2016

MLAA BECOMES THE MALAYSIAN LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY AWARD Introduction of Media Awards, Landscape Development Master Plan Awards, Green Product Award.

AWARD CATEGORIES 11 NUMBER OF ENTRIES 145

REGISTERED TRADEMARK MLAATM MLAA is an officially registered trademark and is branded as the premier Malaysian landscape industry award.

AWARD CATEGORIES 11 NUMBER OF ENTRIES 164

2017

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CROWN R JEWEL OF BUKIT BANYAN Paramount Property opens up emerald greenscapes with recreational Hill Park

1 Cycling is one of the many activities available within the eight themed parks.

2 Children can enjoy a breezy, windy evening at The Hill.

3 The Fun Play area offers a beautiful playground and ample space for the children amid the green hills and clear blue sky.

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ESIDENTS are invited to live “up close to nature” at the 520-acre Bukit Banyan, which is situated on the eastern side of Sungai Petani in Kedah.

Right smack in the centre of Bukit Banyan is the 25-acre Hill Park, a recreational site with low-impact trails linking neighbourhoods to an urban green space.

Bukit Banyan by Paramount Property provides double the 10% minimum requirement for greenery as stipulated by the local council while its residents and the public will get to relish nature’s wonders especially through the Hill Park.

The carefully-planned landscaping at the Hill Park focuses on fun, learning, wellness and adventure, thus offering a focal point for people to get together for various activities.

Being close to residential neighbourhoods and schools creates opportunities to enhance the site’s educational potential.

Hill Park boasts emerald greenscapes bejewelled with eight themed parks that stem from the idea of a recreational place for people of all ages.

Each signature park is designed with children in mind yet able to cater to the needs of adults.

In designing outdoor spaces, Paramount Property finds it easier to work with nature than against

it. The developer uses innovative rainwater management techniques, a palette of ornamental plant materials and environmental sensitivity to create sustainable designs that reflect and respect the character of any site.

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was done to fulfil the requirements of the Department of Environment Kedah and the Department of Minerals and Geoscience Penang/ Kedah/ Perlis.

The purpose of the EIA was to examine the effects Bukit Banyan will have on the natural surroundings.

Hill Park also features environment-friendly regeneration methods such as reusing railway sleepers as barriers and a 200-year-old Chengal for the Tree House, tree transplanting, as well as incorporating boulders from the hill.

Hill Park boasts emerald greenscapes bejewelled with eight themed parks that stem from the idea of a recreational place for people of all ages.

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S P Setia's EcoLandscape Designs Make big Impact

Top awards for environment-friendly EcoHill Park and Setia SPICE developments

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CKNOWLEDGED as one of the leading property developers in Malaysia, S P Setia is a name synonymous with multiple prestigious developments across the country. Recently, two of its developments – EcoHill Park and Setia SPICE – were honoured by the Malaysia Landscape Architecture Awards (MLAA) for their exceptional designs.

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EcoHill Park, the pride of Setia EcoHill, received MLAA’s excellence award under the Landscape Development Award – Developer & GLC Category as recognition for its sustainable landscape development. About 10% of the development has been set aside as green zones comprising parks, gardens and pocket gardens.

In order to create a sustainable ecosystem and protect the water table, Setia EcoHill has incorporated generous streetscapes in addition to engineered waterways and detention ponds.

The development’s prominent EcoHill Park is testament to the sustainability values embraced by S P Setia.

The park has been designed to ensure minimum environmental impact to the landforms and lifeforms within the area.

As the 11-acre public park sits at the highest point of Setia EcoHill, it is considered premium land within the neighbourhood for the community to enjoy.

Innovative plans for the park were drawn up to help people of all ages to achieve an alert mind, healthy body and tranquil soul. Some of the outstanding features include Fitness 123, an outdoor gym with three par course stations and 3km of jogging/cycling paths throughout the township, as well as Play Play which is essentially a children’s play area with specially-designed equipment such as the Holla – a prize-winning concept from the Netherlands that offers children endless possibilities for play while stimulating decision-making, creativity and innovation.

At the Children’s Traffic Park, young ones are encouraged to learn road safety rules in a fun way because it is scaled down to accommodate a child’s perspective. Another feature is The Canopy, an area with a Tai Chi Lawn,

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1 Visitors can take shelte the rain and sun at the modern-art shaded wa

2 The Tai Chi Lawn is a p place for the rhythmic movements of exercise

3 Spectacular 360° view Semenyih from the top EcoHill Park.

4 Bird's eye view of Setia the first hybrid solar-po convention centre with certification in the worl 5 Stunning night view of SPICE.

6 The Setia SPICE Conve Centre has a rooftop g that holds a large spec children's playground.

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a maze for meditative walks called Lost, and the Trellis where one can sit in silence and seek temporary respite from the hustle and bustle of life.

Residents can bring their organic waste to the Composting Centre which produces firstgrade organic compost for their gardens and general landscaping work.

With safety and peace of mind placed high on the residents’ checklist, the landscaping of Setia EcoHill is complete with state-of-the-art security features such as 24-hour guard patrols throughout the township.

Distinctive convention centre Setia SPICE won MLAA’s honour award for its unique eco-landscape features. It stands out as ‘The First Hybrid Solar-powered Convention Centre in the World’ and is also Eco-Green (GBI) certified. It has been certified by The Malaysia Book of Records as having the largest subterranean pillar-less ballroom as well as the biggest rooftop recreational park in Malaysia.

The six-acre green rooftop park provides a wide range of facilities suitable for soft outdoor events, with gardens and play areas that serve as urban green lungs. The green roof is also landscaped with edible gardens planted with herbs, spices and vegetables.

Among the attractive attributes of Setia SPICE are transplanted mature trees, rainwater harvesting system and water management, solar-powered lighting and charging station for electric cars, largest special needs children’s playground and bamboo garden.

The integrated centre is developed based on S P Setia’s philosophy of LiveLearnWorkPlay, which presents an opportunity for the general public to get together for business, work, recreation, or pleasure pursuits.

Other main components at Setia SPICE are SPICE Canopy, a lifestyle venue consisting of 59 retail, F&B outlets and offices that compliments the Setia SPICE development as a one-stop destination for both business and leisure; SPICE Arena where shows, concerts, sporting events and exhibitions can be held; and SPICE Aquatic Centre that provides facilities for wet and dry activities including an indoor Olympic-size swimming pool, a kids’ play pool with salt-water treatment, three-tier diving platform, lounge, dance studios, badminton and squash courts, gymnasium and viewing terrace seats.

To accommodate visitors to Setia SPICE, a new business class hotel will open its doors to the public in 2020. The 453-room hotel will be connected to the convention centre, providing the best experience for MICE destinations.

The integrated centre is developed based on S P Setia’s philosophy of livelearnworkplay, which presents an opportunity for the general public to get together for business, work, recreation, or pleasure pursuits.

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DEVELOPER & GLC CATEGORY

MEDIA CATEGORY

EXCELLENCE AWARD

METRO DESK, THE STAR STAR MEDIA GROUP BERHAD News Title: Changing Role of Parks Jade Chan (Journalist, Metro Central) FEATURE DESK, HARIAN METRO NEW STRAITS TIMES PRESS (M) BERHAD News Title: Pembangunan Diimbangi Kehijauan Hartini Mohd Nawi (Assistant Editor, Features) BUSINESS & ECONOMY DESK ASTRO AWANI NETWORK SDN. BHD. News Title: Agenda Landskap 2050 Pastikan Pembangunan Mohamad Najib Mat Aroff (Junior Editor, Business & Economy Desk) NEWS DESK, PROGRAMMES ON CURRENT AFFAIRS BERNAMA NEWS CHANNEL (BNC) Programmes: News Desk, The Nation, Bernama Today, Ala Carte Pagi (BERNAMA Radio-24) NEWS DESK, CURRENT AFFAIRS SECTION RADIO TELEVISYEN MALAYSIA (RTM) Programmes: News Desk, What Say You, Selamat Pagi Malaysia (Hartini Haris, Producer) EDISI 7, NTV7 MEDIA PRIMA TELEVISION NETWORKS (MPTV) News Title: ILAM Pacu Industri Landskap Negara Zaman Huri Ahmad (Executive Editor, News NTV7) Ridhuan Hussain (News, NTV7) BUILDING & INVESTMENT MAGAZINE B&I WORLDWIDE SDN. BHD. CONTENT CREATION UNIT, MALAY MAIL REDBERRY MEDIA GROUP News Title: Embracing Greener Urban Lifestyle Milad Darvish (Writer)

LANDSCAPE DEVELOPMENT AWARDS EcoHill Park Setia Ecohill Sdn. Bhd.

SPECIAL HONOUR AWARD Masjid Kota Iskandar Cahaya Jauhar Sdn. Bhd.

HONOUR AWARDS

10th MALAYSIA LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AWARDS MLAA 2017 WINNERS PROJECT OF THE YEAR 2017

Afiniti Medini @ Iskandar Puteri PTA Design Sdn. Bhd.

PRESIDENT AWARD

Bangunan Ibu Pejabat PKNS Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (PKNS) PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY

LANDSCAPE DESIGN AWARDS EXCELLENCE AWARD

Afiniti Medini @ Iskandar Puteri PTA Design Sdn. Bhd.

HONOUR AWARDS

Design Village, Penang Urbanis Landscape Design (M) Sdn. Bhd. The Light Canal Park Landart Design Sdn. Bhd. Maisson Ara Damansara Studio Thirty Three Designs Sdn. Bhd. Verve® Suites KL South Malik Lip & Associates Sdn. Bhd. Park Manor Walrus Design Sdn. Bhd. Help University Subang 2 Verona Design Sdn. Bhd. CyberSquare, Cyberjaya WDI Design Sdn. Bhd. Retro Lifestyle @ EV2 Tajul LandArt Icon City Urban Design Group Sdn. Bhd. Bangunan Ibu Pejabat PKNS Nodes Sdn. Bhd. University College of Technology Sarawak Landscape Design Associates Sibu Town Square Public Park Urbanscape Consultant Sdn. Bhd.

MERIT AWARDS

Lake Gardens, Jade Hills Just Right Design Sdn. Bhd. Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm Landscape Studio Sdn. Bhd. PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY

LANDSCAPE ANALYSIS & STUDY AWARDS EXCELLENCE AWARD

Sungai Subang Bio-Remediation Master Plan, Elmina East Mentari Design

HONOUR AWARDS

Penampang District Landscape Master Plan, Sabah Malik Lip & Associates Sdn. Bhd. Bandar Amanjaya: Aqueous Culture Landart Design Sdn. Bhd. University of Malaya Master Plan LARZ Associates Sdn. Bhd. Eco Transit City - Gerik Landscape Master Plan Perunding Hijaureka Sdn. Bhd. Hibiscus & Orchid Garden Master Plan, Perdana Botanical Gardens Mentari Design INTERNATIONAL PROJECT Kallang Park Connector Network: From Bishan to the City Feasibility Study, Singapore Stephen Caffyn Landscape Design PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY

YOUNG LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT AWARDS 2017 LAr. Muhamad Zaedi Mohd Asri LAr. Syamim Azhari

SUPPLIER & MANUFACTURER CATEGORY

GREEN PRODUCT AWARDS HONOUR AWARDS

Neupave Sunway Paving Solutions Sdn. Bhd. Origami Bird Sculpture Playpoint Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

Tamarind Square Tujuan Gemilang Sdn. Bhd. D’Suites Horizon Hills Gamuda Land Sdn. Bhd. Urbana Residences Weida Properties Sdn. Bhd. Verdi Eco-dominium UEM Sunrise Berhad Setia SPICE Eco Meridian Sdn. Bhd. Puncak Bestari 2 Village Park Worldwide Holdings Berhad Hill Park @ Bukit Banyan Paramount Property (Utara) Sdn. Bhd. Maisson Ara Damansara Newfields Land Sdn. Bhd.

MERIT AWARDS

Star Central, Cyberjaya Joyful Star Sdn. Bhd. Jadite Suites Gamuda Land Sdn. Bhd. DEVELOPER & GLC CATEGORY

LANDSCAPE MASTER PLAN AWARDS EXCELLENCE AWARD

MLAA MEDIA AWARDS

Gamuda Gardens Gamuda Land Sdn. Bhd.

RESEARCHER CATEGORY

HONOUR AWARDS

EXCELLENCE AWARD

LANDSCAPE RESEARCH AWARDS

Gamuda Cove Gamuda Land Sdn. Bhd. Kota Seriemas Seriemas Development Sdn. Bhd.

Assessment Tool of Outdoor Neighbourhood Design & Attributes for Community Social Interaction: Incorporating Islamic Values

MERIT AWARDS

HONOUR AWARDS

Daunan Worldwide Worldwide Property Management Sdn. Bhd. La Promenade Hock Seng Lee Construction Sdn. Bhd.

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Dr. Mohd Yazid Mohd Yunos, Arinah Rozhan, Dr. Sumarni Ismail, Assoc. Prof. LAr. Dr. Nor Atiah Ismail, Dr. Nor Kalsum Mohd Isa

Quality Assessment Elements for Single Palm Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM) Nur Athirah Ahmad Sharip, LAr. Dr. Jasasikin Ab Sani

Cycling Route Guidelines for Residential Neighbourhood Area Towards Sustainable Mobility

CONTRACTOR CATEGORY

LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION AWARDS

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) LAr. Dr. Nurhayati Abdul Malek, Mohd Zahid Mohd Salleh, Amanina Nashar, Noriah Othman, Sharifah Khalizah Syed Othman Thani

EXCELLENCE AWARD

Reliability of the Visual Resource Assessment Procedure (VRAP) in Assessing Malaysia Visual Landscape Quality

Charm of Nusantara, Setia Eco Glades, Cyberjaya Oasisland Sdn. Bhd.

HONOUR AWARDS

Maisson Ara Damansara Conspec Builders (M) Sdn. Bhd. The Leafz, Salak Selatan Konzept Stone Sdn. Bhd. Foresta Canopy Walk Conspec Builders (M) Sdn. Bhd. Azelia Residences Conspec Builders (M) Sdn. Bhd. GOVERNMENT CATEGORY

GREEN INITIATIVES AWARDS EXCELLENCE AWARD

Taiping - Where it All Began Majlis Perbandaran Taiping

SPECIAL HONOUR AWARD

Butterworth Fringe Festival (BFF) Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Perai

HONOUR AWARDS

Putrajaya Meliponine - A Friendly Sustainable Approach Perbadanan Putrajaya Laman Tun Perak Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur A Signature Park Programme with Think City Sdn. Bhd. Recycle Edible Garden UITM Cawangan Perak Green Generation @ School, Klang, Selangor Majlis Perbandaran Klang Taman Pudu Ulu Phase 2 Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur Agrobox Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya

MERIT AWARD

World Landscape Architecture Month: Creating Landscape - Friendly, Green Neighbourhood in Hulu Selangor Majlis Daerah Hulu Selangor

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) LAr. Mohd Nazri Saidon, LAr. Dr. Mohd Kher Hussein

MERIT AWARD

Early Warning System & Community Resilient for Disaster Risk Management in Lembah Bertam, Cameron Highlands Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM) Assoc. Prof. LAr. Dr. Mohd Ramzi Mohd Hussain Prof. Emeritus LAr. Dr. Ismawi Hj. Zen, Izawati Tukiman, Rahsidi Sabri Muda (TNB), Sivadass Thiruchelvam (UNITEN)

STUDENT CATEGORY

STUDENT DESIGN AWARDS EXCELLENCE AWARD

Biophilic Network-Suria KLCC Green Square Yew Wooi Seng, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)

HONOUR AWARDS

Sustaining Cultural Landscape of Kampung Mangkuk: Intertwining Ecologies Muhammad Adli Amir bin Juraini, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)

Ampang Hill Park

Asrahnizah binti Zinin, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)

Re-energising Abandoned Sport Complex through Ecological Landscape Design Muhammad Haikal bin Omar, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)

Living Breakwater: Coastal Management Solutions at Pantai Teluk Lipat Mohamad Firdaus bin Saari, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)

Kota Kinabalu Botanical Lowland Forest

Chyna Chantilly Marie Stephens, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)

Eco Resort Development at Pantai Teluk Bidara

Nor Hafisah binti Jamaluddin, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)

Proposed Bicycle Centre at Bukit SUK, Shah Alam, Selangor Majidah binti Md. Ali, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)

Reclaiming Natural & Cultural Landscape of Kampung Mangkuk Ilham Fitri bin Shaharin, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)

Dioramic Landscape of Kuala Sungai Pontian Besar

Muhammad Nadzir bin Zainal Abidin, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)

MERIT AWARDS

Proposed Redevelopment at Bukit Larut towards Eco-Tourism Kayalmoli A/P Lingam, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)

Sustainable Agrotourism at Kampung Buloh, Setiu, Terengganu Muhammad Qayyum bin Rostam, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)

Soft Strategies for Resilience Coastal and River Area

Mohd Syahmi bin Mohd Aris, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)

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OR its maiden residential development, Weida Properties wanted to create an abode where residents return home to soothing views of the garden, swimming pool or landscaped greenery after a long day at work.

“We realise the importance of incorporating nature in an urban environment, to create a community space for residents to connect with each other and with nature,” said Weida Properties Sdn Bhd executive director Victor Lee. The challenge was to build a modern home and surround it with green comfort despite the limited land area. The result was Urbana Residences, which has a design philosophy that balances functionality, aesthetics and green initiatives in order to cultivate a healthy living space for everyone.

“Urbana Residences presented an opportunity for us to explore innovative concepts for a multi-functional green space within a tight, irregular shaped land,” said PTA Landscape Sdn Bhd managing director Peter Tan. “The green space is designed to make you feel like you have your own private garden,” he added.

Located in the upmarket neighbourhood of Ara Damansara in Selangor, Urbana Residences’ modern facilities, array of amenities, and accessibility make it convenient for residents to embrace life.

Besides its proximity (400m) to Citta Mall and Evolve Concept Mall, the development is within a 600m radius of seven major highways, Subang Airport and an LRT hub. Nearby are international schools, medical facilities, retail outlets and dining choices.

The 16-storey tower offers 356 serviced apartments with built-ups from 807 sq ft to 1,280 sq ft for two or three bedrooms as well as dual-key units. Urbana Residences offers a flexible space layout that can be transformed from a personal pad to a shared apartment or a separate rental unit.

Completed in September 2016, two larger-than-life sculptures "Thinker" and "Walker"

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by Nizam Abdullah make a grand entrance statement at the drop-off lobbies.

The statues are in line with the developer’s corporate social responsibility effort to help promote and support Malaysian art, and for local artists to achieve sustainability. Weida Properties believes that integrating public art into a development invokes a sense of "place" and well-being in society.

Outdoor living areas greatly enhance a property, and green spaces are no longer limited to the ground level. At the multi-level facilities deck, a combination of materials such as stones, tiles, sandwash and plants

WHERE HOME IS A SOOTHING HAVEN

Weida Properties takes up the challenge of space to craft green and contemporary Urbana Residences 1 Seated in lush greenery, this home is a natural retreat from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

2 Inspired by nature, the cocoon pod resembles a bird’s nest. Lie back and relax in its cosy interior.

3 Revel in the interplay of shapes, textures and patterns in this common area.

4 Residents can connect with nature as they unwind amid the greenery.

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are used to create a sense of harmony with the environment. The interplay of shapes, colours and textures gives residents different experiences as they step up or down onto the different levels.

Crosswinds around the tower block generate constant airflow throughout the day, making the recreational deck an open and inviting space for families to enjoy their swim, gym, yoga, barbecue, Jacuzzi and children’s water play area.

Special garden units are found along the perimeter of the recreational deck. Units facing the pool can directly access the pool deck from the terrace via a common garden.

A generous 3m-wide green zone shields the units from the activities in the pool, offering some privacy.

All surplus areas were landscaped into pockets of green to promote wellness for residents. The treehouse is a good example

of building vertically to maximise space. This geometrical marvel is a clever combination of different shapes – squares on a circular base sitting on a triangular piece of land.

Residents will enjoy better air quality at the lift lobbies, thanks to planter boxes of creepers at each level. Twin seven-storey vertical green walls serve as an air filter that sucks in pollutants and fine dust, as well as regulate indoor temperature and humidity levels.

With a simple cover of turf grass, the green rooftop enhances communal facilities with a sky garden, children playground and sky lounge. At the same time, it helps to mitigate the urban heat island effect while reducing noise and air pollution.

Upcoming project Weida Properties is building for the future, creating niche lifestyle-oriented developments to cater to market needs. Landscaped greenery will feature strongly in its upcoming project in Cheras, as Weida Properties places emphasis on creating value for the built environment as well as its residents and the community.

Targeted at young families with children, upgraders and city dwellers, this lifestyle residential development offers comfort with comprehensive recreational facilities within a safe and secure environment.

Sitting on 12 acres of elevated land in a mature neighbourhood, it is well served by Jalan Cheras and the Middle Ring Road 2, and within walking distance of the Taman Pertama MRT station.

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ANOTHER AWARD-WINNING LANDMARK AT KOTA ISKANDAR Developer Cahaya Jauhar raises the bar again at Johor’s administrative centre

" It is a great honour for us and speaks volumes about our development philosophy at Cahaya Jauhar. To us, it has always been about delivering cocreated futures for our clients, and for the betterment of humanity. Winning the award is the icing on the cake.

– Cahaya Jauhar CEO Mohd Auzir Mohd Tahir who won the Fiabci Malaysia’s Property CEO of 2017 award.

Bird’s eye view of the mosque shows the beauty of symmetry and geometry.

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AHAYA Jauhar Sdn Bhd has come a long way since its inception 14 years ago as a humble joint venture between the Johor government and UEM Land Bhd, a subsidiary of UEM Sunrise Bhd. Having developed Kota Iskandar, Johor’s new administrative centre in Iskandar Puteri (formerly Nusajaya), Cahaya Jauhar has continued to raise the bar for the industry in value creation, user-driven experience design, as well as eco and operational innovation.

At the recent Malaysia Landscape Architecture Awards 2017 ceremony, the Masjid Kota Iskandar was accorded a special honour award under the Developer and GLC Category for Landscape Development. This marks the 14th award win by the company.

“It is a great honour for Cahaya Jauhar and speaks volumes about our development philosophy. To us, it has always been about delivering co-created futures for our clients and for the betterment of humanity. Winning the award is the icing on the cake,” said Cahaya Jauhar CEO Mohd Auzir Mohd Tahir who won the Fiabci Malaysia’s Property CEO of 2017 award.

Challenging norms at Kota Iskandar When Kota Iskandar was first conceived, the mosque was the first reference point for the planning of each component along the Kiblat axis as it was situated at the highest point of the terrain.

The developer challenged norms at Kota Iskandar by seamlessly integrating government departments in an open environment across 272 acres while fulfilling its stretched goals of education, tourism, sociability and culture.

Today, Kota Iskandar has cemented its reputation as Asia’s first experiential parliament and a must-see destination in Johor. It received its millionth visitor at the end of last year.

The list of accolades continues with The Iskandar Malaysia Accolades (TIMA) Award 2016/2017, the Malaysia Property Award and Fiabci World Prix d’Excellence Award runner-up.

The pinnacle of Johor’s living legacy Sitting on a seven-acre plot, Masjid Kota Iskandar has a unique Islamic design philosophy that combines natural elements and contemporary looks to cohesively inspire contemplation.

Blurring the boundaries “inside out” and “outside in” between the building and the landscape is akin to erasing the boundaries between man and creation.

And in a tranquil way, deeper connections begin to flourish.

Seeing is believing – and you will begin to understand why the latest accolade of the MLAA (Special Honour Award) 2017 was bestowed.

It’s all about respect, space and place It begins at the north-western end of a central spine which is the Kiblat axis, pointing directly towards Mecca and reminding us that this is a place of worship. We step into the Frontier Patio, a transition area that calms the heart after the bustle of everyday life. This sanctu-

ary of peace calls us into deeper reflection by connecting us with nature.

Repeated and reflected in perfect symmetry on either side of the main prayer hall is the lush greenery of The Garden Portal and The Green Bagh.

Greenery abounds from the welcoming gardens at the ground level to the sky gardens at the rooftop and at every transition space.

A sense of place is celebrated with natural motifs from native plants of economic and historical value to Johor, such as Bunga Cengkih, Bunga dan Daun Lawang, Gambier and Lada Hitam, which adorn man-made objects like benches dotted around the premises and inviting visitors to linger.

Islamic geometric patterns abound within the man-made hardscape, which is softened by rows of trees and other greenery. The centre of The Garden Portal is a tiled eight-point pattern of overlapping petal shapes.

Encircling and also radiating from this centre are low hedges that subtly separate parking areas from event areas, outdoor prayer areas as well as the Green Bagh.

The Garden Portal and Sky Gardens are calm places that quieten minds and hearts. Every step will connect you with nature, and the tranquil outdoor praying areas and gathering spaces allow the spiritual mastery of ukhwah – the bond between us all.

The gardens’ grass squares, planter boxes and trees act as heat buffers while also serving to break up the space

visually and emotively, creating pockets of privacy to nourish ukhwah.

Masjid Kota Iskandar is indeed a special place where the devout can sit in quiet contemplation, where divine intention is embodied in daily interaction, and where the connection between individuals can be drawn tighter to form communities.

Pioneering the use of green technology Nature, and its preservation, is an integral part of Islamic design philosophy – and throughout the mosque you will witness the use of green technology.

For example, water from the outdoor and indoor ablution area flows into a harvesting system that reuses the water to keep the landscape lush and verdant. It is estimated that 10,500 litres of recycled water is saved every day with this system.

There is also a pneumatic waste disposal system that simplifies waste removal and improves hygiene. Surrounding the mosque are plants carefully selected to control soil erosion, air pollution, noise pollution, and to cool down the micro-climate.

Creating an inclusive community More than just a place of worship,

Views of The Green Bagh, The Gateways and The Roof Top Garden at Masjid Kota Iskandar.

Masjid Kota Iskandar continuously strives to foster an inclusive community by pioneering ways to support and educate the public.

Its signature guided tour programme helps to boost tourism in Johor, during which young and old alike can immerse themselves in the world of Islamic philosophy and culture. For children, the mosque also serves as a green recreational space for team-building activities.

The venue can be reserved as a social space for events and gatherings.

Last but not least, the mosque consistently fulfils its social agenda of job creation, with routine landscape and cleaning maintenance work carried out by locals to sustain its beauty and grace.

For more information, call +607 290 9080 or email enquiries@kotaiskandar. com or go to the Kota Iskandar Visitor Information Centre, Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Negri Johor, Kota Iskandar, 79100 Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia.

The gardens’ grass squares, planter boxes and trees act as heat buffers while also serving to break up the space visually and emotively.

Sunday 22 April 2018

Starproperty.my

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Sunday 22 April 2018

Starproperty.my

Vision A vision for the next 30 years

Landscape as a base for wellbeing and inspired living, through innovative technology and sustainable values.

Value

Landscape Architecture Agenda 2050 (LAA2050) is a 30 years agenda, comprising our vision and 10 Strategic Focus Areas (SFA) required to drive the landscape architecture professional forwards.

Landscape architects need to be key players in planning and designing the built environment and take a more influential role to lead and inspire design solutions that will shape our future, for a better living environment for all.

10 STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS

Navigating the next 30 years

01

2020-2050

Lead Aspire Alive

06

VISIBILITY

ECONOMIC RETURN

Landscape architects should be more vocal and engaging in political debate, collaborate and cooperate with related organisations in order to be relevant, influence decision makers and think big.

Any form of future project should take sustainable economic value into consideration so as to ensure lifelong durability, generate economic returns for local businesses, cultivate positive socio-economic impact, promote green tourism and benefit the stakeholders at large.

02

07

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

HUMAN CAPITAL ENHANCEMENT

Landscape architects should safeguard and incorporate effective resource management in each design approach, primarily the fragile environmental components of water, air, food, waste, and natural and sensitive ecosystems, via conservation, preservation and/or rehabilitation efforts.

The landscape architecture industry should focus on the development of leadership, increased productivity, promoting creativity, originality and skills, encouraging ethical competition, promote diversification and adaptability to changes and become an influential and versatile trend setter. To achieve this and to be significantly visible, the number of landscape architects should be increased.

03

08

EXPERIENCES AND NEEDS

Landscape architectural design should emphasise on user experience, such as inclusion of local social and cultural values, community engagement and participation in the design process, promote local identity and image, and cater to the needs of the less fortunate via universal design.

BEST PRACTICE

The practising landscape architecture firms should increase productivity through an organised structure which promotes high efficiency, enhanced best practice standards and quality control in delivering the services.

04 CONDUCIVE LIVING

Over-population has caused a deterioration in the quality of life, hence, promoting conducive and inspiring living environments should be a key priority for landscape architects.

Key strategies include creating more public spaces in urban areas, enhancing blue-green infrastructures (natural and semi-natural landscape elements), promoting food security via urban farming, combatting climate change through design, and promoting thermal comfort in every spatial design.

SCAN HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

www.ilamalaysia.org/laa2050

05 SECURITY AND SAFETY

Natural and human threats have escalated in the past decade and landscape architects should play a vital role in designing landscape spaces and places which respond to natural disaster phenomena. These include emergency preparedness, preventing crime via the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) approach, which focuses on preventing vandalism and non-state violence.

09 EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

Education and research fields should venture into the discovery of new ideas and philosophies, setting future directions, bridging academia and industry, promoting pragmatic solutions, and increasing involvement in international markets.

10 TECHNOLOGY AND SYSTEM

Promote the landscape architecture industry Big Data (which incorporates the large volume of data – both structured and unstructured) and The IoT (the Internet of Things is the inter-networking of physical devices, vehicles, buildings, and other items, embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and network connectivity which enables these objects to collect and exchange data), application of augmented reality, tools and cutting edge technology in design.