USM, PENANG, 1 March 2017 - The Tan Sri Ar. Chan Sau Lai Architecture Award is a yearly event opened to Malaysian students, studying locally or overseas, who have just successfully completed a Bachelor or Master in Architecture course or any other equivalent architecture course as determined by the Convenor.

According to the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Design Cluster Chair, School of Housing, Building and Planning (HBP), Associate Professor Ar. Dr. Sharifah Fairuz Syed Fadzil, the results of the 2016 recipients have been announced recently, with 2 students from HBP in the list and they are Chew Hung Nien and Lau Kar Choon.

She said, Hung Nien was named the first runner-up with the prize of RM10,000 and a certificate. His final year Bachelor of Architecture design thesis titled “Algae Culture, Technology and Innovation Centre” successfully impressed the judges, comprising of 9 local and international architects with Dato Ar. Dr. Ken Yeang, a PAM Gold Medallist as the Chief Judge.

“In 2016 there were 110 entries, 66 proceeded to the second stage and only 9 made it to the shortlisted entries, these include the 2 students from HBP USM,” she emphasised further.

Meanwhile, Kar Choon’s submission was one of the 5 award finalists to receive RM 2,000 and a certificate.

“It was a team effort, with other members being Mun Kai Hoang, Chew Kah Heng and Nicolas Ng Jin Szach and the project title was “Future Educational Tower”.

“This future educational tower reexamines the norm in spatial organization, from being horizontal-oriented turning into vertical learning campuses to be located in dense urban areas and this innovative educational tower is hoped to further groom future-ready generations,” she said.

Advisors to these students include Ar. Yeoh Oon Soon, Associate Professor Ar. Dr. Ku Azhar Ku Hassan, Associate Professor Ar. Dr. Sharifah Fairuz and Associate Professor Dr. Muna Hanim Abdul Samad.

At the same time, the Dean of HBP, Professor Dr. Aldrin Abdullah highly encourages HBP students to enter these competitions as when students continue to win, it is an indication that the architecture education here is on the right track.

Text: Hafiz Meah Ghouse Meah