SHAH ALAM: University students who are into designing buildings can try out their skills at drawing a facade for one of i-City’s mixed development projects.

This is i-Berhad’s first corporate social responsibility programme, which aims to get university students to be part of the development of i-City.

I-City Properties Sdn Bhd marketing director Monica Ong said the competition is targeted at university students as they want a design that will reflect the inspirations and aspirations of the young.

Deputy Education Minister P. Kamalanathan, who launched the i-Design facade design competition, commended i-Berhad for creating such a competition.

“It is good to see private companies making an effort to tap into the potential of Malaysian students,” he said.

Creative process: Kamalanathan speaking with students taking part in the design challenge as i-Berhad executive chairman Tan Sri Lim Kim Hong (right) looks on.

The competition invites university students to submit their best ideas for a large single LED facade in front of the multi-level car park facade of the mixed-development. It has to be based on the themes “City of Digital Lights” and “Pulse of Selangor”.

The winning design will stand as one of the main entry statements into i-City and dress the mixed development, comprising seven tower blocks of office units and service residences that are styled after cities like London, Paris, and New York.

The facade design competition is partnered by i-Berhad, Henry Butcher Retail with Star Media Group Berhad as the media partner.

Students can take part individually or in groups and need not be studying design and architecture. Participation is free.

Designs will be judged based on its sustainability and timelessness, it must be trendy, colourful and vibrant.

Besides the use of LED lights, other design criteria include a 40% air ventilation allowance at the car park facade and the incorporation of 10 facade panels with a dimension of 10m by 5m each.

The winner or winners of the contest will be awarded cash prize of RM10,000 and will carve a name for themselves in having played a part in a development in an Ultrapolis that involves world renowned master planners, international architects and foreign investors.

Second and third place winners will receive RM5,000 and RM2,500. Registration is now open and will close at the end of this month. Design ideas can be submitted between Nov 1 and 30.

Winners will be announced sometime late December to early January.

For contest details and to register, visit www.i-city.my/i-design.