Yii K E Architect wins Langit Architectural Competition

KUCHING: Sarawakian architects from Yii K E Architect were on Saturday (Aug 7) announced as the top winners in the first-ever local architectural contest dubbed the Langit Architectural Competition.

Jascinta Yii Kiu Eng and Alan Kueh, who practise here and in Melbourne, Australia respectively, collaborated and submitted a design of an 18-storey mixed-use commercial building to the competition.

The design features an eco-friendly green facade which includes public spaces, offices, apartments, plant nurseries, designed with intergenerational living in mind.

Judges of the competition described the entry “impactful, providing high-density, yet adaptable multi-generational living and working units”.

The building design was also praised for promoting sustainable living with urban farming as a feature.

Langit is Sarawak’s first national architecture contest organised by Hock Seng Lee in collaboration with Next Phase (HSL-NP) with the intent to build one of the winners’ designs.

The competition received 112 registrations nationwide since March 12 to design a building for a 0.78-acre project site in Kuching’s central business area.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg announced the results of the competition on Saturday (Aug 7).

Meanwhile, the second place went to Lee Shyan Luen and Justin Lee of Just Architecture and third place went to Hung Sing Ing from MOA Architects.

Moh Ung Tai of UT Moh Architect and Wong Leong Hong of Arkitek LH Wong won honorary mentions for their futuristic building designs.

The jury comprised Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) president Datuk Ezumi Harzani, PAM Sarawak Chapter immediate past chairman Ivy Jong, Veritas Architects director Lilian Tay, multi-award winner and conservationist Mike Boon and developer HSL-NP representative Yu Ji.

Jong, who was jury chair, said many of the design ideas challenged conventional expectations and demonstrated refreshing approaches. 

A majority of the submissions displayed clear commitment to social and environmental sustainability.

The shortlisted schemes pushed various aspects of design ideas and the judges were impressed by the creativity, approach and thoughts demonstrated by the architects, she said.