FIVE world-renowned teams together with their Malaysian partners have successfully made it to the design stage of the Masterplan Design Competition of the proposed Penang South Islands (PSI) project.
The competition advisor Ang Chee Cheong said the five finalists would now be working on their designs for the competition.
The finalists were BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group (Denmark) with Hijjas Architect & Planner; Foster + Partners (UK) with GDP Architects Sdn Bhd; MVRDV (the Netherlands) with aLM Architects; Tekuma Frenchman Urban Design (USA) with EOWON Architects; and UN Studio (the Netherlands) with Architects 61 Sdn Bhd.
Each of the finalist team consists of an international and a Malaysian company to ensure that the proposals contain excellent concepts and solutions.
The deadline for the design submission is April 8.
Ang said there were two Penang firms – aLM Architects and EOWON Architects – that made it to the finals.
“The competition is a good platform for local companies to gain exposure and to learn from the best practices. It is never too late to learn,” he told Buletin Mutiara after the press conference today.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the international competition started with its qualification process in November last year (2019).
“The competition saw an overwhelming global response with 124 submissions from 26 countries, including Malaysia.
“The contestants submitted their entries as consortium teams comprising outstanding Malaysian and world-leading architects and planners; as well as smart city, engineering, design and branding, technology and innovation, mobility and transportation, landscape, sustainability and environmental design experts.
“The proposed PSI project is a state government key strategic initiative; emphasising on environment, social aspects and the economy of the state.
“Measuring 4,500 acres of land, the three islands will provide affordable housing, as well as public and private amenities; with approximately 4.6km of public beaches, over 600 acres of parks and 25km of waterfront promenade.
“World-class cutting-edge infrastructure and smart city features will be incorporated into this new future-forward development. The PSI project is set to be the new catalyst for growth which will result in the creation of high-value jobs in the state.
“This long-term project will prepare Penang for Industry 4.0 through the incorporation of smart city and smart park features, with an efficient and integrated transport system,” he said.
Also present were State Secretary Datuk Abdul Razak Jaafar, state legal adviser Datuk Norazmi Mohd Narawi, Penang Works, Utilities and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari, state Women and Family Development, Gender Inclusiveness and Religions Other Than Islam Committee chairman Chong Eng, Penang Island City Council mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang and SRS Consortium project director Szeto Wai Loong.
It is learnt that the finalists were taken on a site visit today before the press conference.
They also visited The TOP Rainbow Skywalk and enjoyed hi-tea at TOP View Restaurant and Lounge before the press conference.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud