'URBAN OASIS' CREATES A SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT: HBP-USM STUDENTS WIN TWO NATIONAL AWARDS
A sustainability-driven architectural concept developed by a team of students from the School of Housing, Building and Planning (HBP), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has earned national recognition after securing two prestigious awards at the Vertical School Competition 2026, organised by the Malaysian Architecture Student Alliance (MASA) at Sunway Square Mall, Sunway University.
The team was awarded the Sustainability Award and Second Runner-Up, taking home a total cash prize of RM2,200.
The competition, held last month, brought together participants from 20 universities and higher education institutions across Malaysia, providing a highly competitive platform for aspiring architects to showcase innovative ideas that address contemporary urban challenges.
Amid strong competition from some of the country's leading institutions, the outstanding achievement by HBP-USM students not only demonstrates their creativity and technical excellence but also reinforces USM's reputation for producing highly competent architecture graduates who are committed to advancing sustainability.
The award-winning team, comprising Lo Zi Xian, Lim Qi Yuan, Nur Aqilah Aniyah, and Nurul Iman Izwani, impressed the panel of judges with their visionary project entitled Urban Oasis.
The proposal reimagines the concept of a vertical school by integrating nature-based education and sustainable development principles into the heart of a dense urban environment.
Supervised by Dr. Hazril Sherney Basher, the project introduces an innovative educational environment inspired by the rich ecosystem of the Malaysian tropical rainforest.
Rather than treating nature as a decorative feature, Urban Oasis seamlessly incorporates it into the daily learning experience through architectural design, environmental strategies, and community-centred spaces.
The concept envisions the school as a living ecosystem that nurtures students' physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development.
Learning is structured around four developmental stages; Discovery, Exploration, Independence, and Future Vision, all of which are inspired by the layered ecology of the tropical rainforest.
Each space is carefully designed to cultivate curiosity, creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and environmental stewardship, ensuring that every journey through the building becomes an integral part of the educational experience.
The project also demonstrates a holistic commitment to sustainable architecture through the incorporation of numerous green design strategies, including a central green void, open learning terraces, flexible classrooms, passive ventilation systems, abundant natural daylighting, renewable energy technologies, and community-oriented spaces that strengthen the relationship between the school and its surrounding neighbourhood.
In Urban Oasis, the building itself becomes a silent educator, inspiring future generations to appreciate nature and embrace sustainable living.
This achievement is closely aligned with USM's aspiration to encourage students to actively participate in national and international competitions as an extension of experiential learning.
USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato' Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed, has consistently emphasised that academic excellence must be complemented by active engagement in platforms that challenge students to demonstrate creativity, innovation, and real-world problem-solving capabilities. He has also underscored the importance of embedding sustainability across the higher education ecosystem to produce graduates who are not only academically outstanding but also capable of becoming transformative leaders in sustainable development. Competitions such as the Vertical School Competition 2026 therefore provide an ideal platform for students to translate classroom knowledge into impactful solutions while supporting USM's mission of nurturing future leaders who will drive sustainable development at both national and global levels.
Commenting on the achievement, Dean of the School of Housing, Building and Planning (HBP), Associate Professor Sr Ts. Dr. Md Azree Othuman Mydin, described the accomplishment as compelling evidence that HBP students are capable of competing at the highest level, even in their first year of study.
He said, "This achievement proves that excellence is not determined by years of experience, but by the courage to think creatively, critically, and innovatively. I am immensely proud that our students have embraced sustainability as the foundation for addressing the future challenges of education and urban development. Their success reflects USM's aspiration as an APEX University to champion sustainable development while nurturing graduates who are capable of making meaningful contributions to society and the world."
He further noted that participation in architectural design competitions extends far beyond winning awards. Such experiences sharpen students' technical expertise, strengthen their creativity and confidence, enhance their ability to solve complex real-world problems, and cultivate the professional mindset required to excel in an increasingly dynamic and competitive architectural profession.
The success of Urban Oasis further strengthens HBP-USM's standing as a leading institution committed to producing future architects who combine design excellence with a deep commitment to environmental sustainability and social well-being. More importantly, this achievement is expected to inspire more students to pursue bold ideas, develop innovative and sustainable design solutions, and contribute meaningfully to the creation of greener, more resilient, and more liveable cities for future generations.