PENANG, 4 April 2017 - For the second time, Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia (PAM), in collaboration with ZSR Architecture Ventures Sdn.Bhd as the prize benefactor, has again organized the prestigious PAM-ZSR Architecture Prize 2016 that aims to recognize the best designs from the top architecture students of the various Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM) accredited universities in Malaysia, for both LAM Part 1 and 2 categories.

Among the criteria that had been considered were personal attributes of the students, design excellence, innovation & sustainable solutions and buildability.

According to the lecturer from the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) School of Housing, Building and Planning (HBP), Dr. Mazran Ismail, for this year edition, 5 architecture students from HBP were selected to present their projects to the jurors during the final stage of judging for both categories.

During the prize giving ceremony held at PAM Centre, Kuala Lumpur on 9 March 2017, Najwa Harzani Ezumi Harzani was selected as the winner for Part 1 category and received RM3000 cash prize and certificate, alongside her advisor Dr. Mazran, with their project the Teluk Bahang Boutique Hotel.

While for the Part 2 category, the winner was Che Norashikin Ahmad Azmi, who received RM5000 cash prize and certificate. The advisor for Che Norashikin was Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muna Hanim Abdul Samad with their project HORIZON: Mixed-Use Development.

Apart from the winners, 3 finalists from USM for Part 2 categories were also awarded cash prizes of RM1000 each and certificates. They were Nurul Nabilah Hazri, Chan Guan Heng and Auni Khalid. The advisor for Nabilah was Ar. Zalena Abdul Aziz, while for Chan and Auni was Dr. Mohd Hafizal Mohd Isa.

Besides the advisors mentioned above, the success of the students in this year’s competition was also due to the commitment and cumulative effort from all the Architecture Programme lecturers and Dean of HBP, Professor Dr. Aldrin Abdullah who have always encouraged the USM architecture students to be involved in any competitive event as one of the ways to strengthen their self-confidence and improve their design and presentation skills.

This year's edition had attracted 113 entries from all over the country, where 11 entries and 9 entries were shortlisted for the Parts 1 and 2 categories respectively. The awards were presented by President of Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM), Ar. (Dr.) Mohd Zulhemlee An.

Text: Hafiz Meah Ghouse Meah