ILAM highlights contributors of the landscape architect profession
BY VIKNESH ASHLEY
vikneshashley@thestar.com.my
MLAA 2016 by ILAM honours the various stakeholders that contribute to the field of landscape architect.
THE 9th Malaysian Landscape Architecture Awards (MLAA) organised by the Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia (ILAM) was held to recognise and award the best and most outstanding projects in Malaysia as well as within the neighbouring region.
The MLAA, along with ILAM’s Gala Night, is part of a wide array of activities organised in conjunction with the World Landscape Architecture Month celebration in April.
The series of events aim to introduce the profession of landscape architect to a larger audience, creating greater visibility on the growing role of landscape architects in the outdoor built environment through various activities, seminars and conferences, awards and public awareness campaigns.
This years’ MLAA had seen a steady increase in submissions of over 145 entries from within Malaysia as well as projects from Singapore, Taiwan, Sri Lanka and Bahrain. Some of award categories featured included Professional (Landscape Design, Landscape Analysis and Study and Young Landscape Architect), The Government category and Student Category.
Additionally, three new categories have been introduced this year, namely Green Product Category, Landscape Master Plan Awards under Developer and GLC Category and the Landscape Architecture Media Awards.
The Star Metro, represented by Metro assistant news editor Yip Yoke Teng, has received the media award for its role in disseminating pertinent information on the industry.
Some winning projects include Setia Eco Glades by S P Setia Bhd, Linear Park Estate Ledang by UEM Sunrise Bhd, Kundang Estates by Gamuda Land, The ERA by JKG Land Bhd and Uptown Streetscape in Damansara Uptown by See Hoy Chan Sdn Bhd.
UEM Sunrise project director (southern region) Zamri Yusof (left) and deputy general manager (landscape) Noor Hisyam Mohd Abdullah Hashim celebrating their win for Linear Park Estate Ledang.
The winner of the much coveted Project of the Year was UNIV360 Place by F3 Capital Sdn Bhd.
This year’s awards saw a total of 62 awards presented under eight categories.
Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar was represented by the minitry's
Deputy Secretary-General (Policy and Development) Datuk Dr Tam Weng Wah.
Noh said this year is another successful attempt by ILAM to highlight the continuously blooming and prospering landscape architecture profession in Malaysia, moving toward the vision for a “Greener and Beautiful Malaysia 2020”.
“The efforts of landscape architecture professions are evident for city inhabitants, which bear witness the transformation of a “Grey City” such as Kuala Lumpur into a much more sustainable “Green City” of the 21st Century.
“The ministry of KPKT through the National Landscape Department of Malaysia (JLN) will fully support the greening of Malaysia,” he added.
S P Setia Bhd president and chief executive officer Datuk Khor Chap Jen (left) receiving recognition from Osman for their contribution as the Platinum Sponsor of the MLAA 2016.
On that note, he said he would like to see the nailing down of the Landscape Architect Agenda 2050 (LAA2050) initiative and a collaboration in many other programs that are related to the sustainable green society and development.
The LAA2050 marks another milestone for ILAM as a new initiative undertaken to outline the Moving Forward Roadmap for the landscape industry. Launched on ILAM’s gala night, the LAA 2050 will poise as the new direction to shape the next 30 years of the Landscape Architect profession in Malaysia.
Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia (Ilam) president Assoc Prof Dr Osman Mohd Tahir said the LAA2050 will take place under a mission aimed to “react, think creatively and find the best solutions” for the betterment of the nation’s living environment to maintain, enhance and protect the surrounding nature.
“ILAM wishes for one day that people may say ‘If you love nature – live in the city.’ In order to make this notion a reality, landscape architects need to embed landscape beauty and pleasure within cities in the form of parks and gardens, as this would in turn increase the satisfaction of city living.
“Our city landscape should be focused about linking the social to the ecological aspect of the nation that would result in a more sophisticated community,” said Osman.
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