Malaysian architects who pursue excellence in design deserve recognition and this is one of the aims of Persatuan Arkitek Malaysia (PAM) through its PAM Architectural Awards.

In addition, it recognises architects for promoting the advancement of a quality built environment that has beneficial, social, physical and cultural impact in our country, and the diversity of Malaysian architecture.

The awards started in 1970 but since 2000, they have been reformatted to serve a dual purpose: providing PAM with an archive of information on important projects, and the promotion of Malaysian architects and their work of quality.

A total of 165 entries were received and according to PAM Awards 2009 organising chairman Alvin Lim Hai Seah, they varied in degrees of complexity.

Perhaps you might be inspired by looking at these winning entries and explore possibilities for your own home or workplace?

Categories: Single Residential Buildings; Overseas Buildings; Interior Design; Commercial Buildings; Showroom; Adaptive Reuse; Industrial Buildings and Special Category (for entries not falling under the previous seven categories).

Judges: Philip Cox (preeminent Australian architect who has designed many of Sydney’s iconic buildings), Tai Lee Siang (immediate past president of the Singapore Institute of Architects), Prof Datuk Elias Salleh (Malaysian architect and academician) and Datuk Ng Poh Tip (Group Editorial/Education Adviser of Star Publications (M) Bhd).

There were no winners in the Overseas Buildings and Showroom categories as the judges felt that no entry completely fulfilled the criteria for a winning design.

For the Commercial Buildings category the jury was unable to decide between the two finalists and declared them joint winners (the first time in the history of the awards).

And for the Single Residential Buildings category, besides the winner, one other entry came close and was given an honorary mention.

The Star – 12th October 2009