From historical buildings to breathtakingly beautiful skyscrapers and marvellously designed buildings, architects play a prominent role in establishing aesthetic and practical spaces for work, play and life itself. Their masterpieces inevitably evoke a sense of awe, admiration and even pride among the masses, often showcasing creativity at its best. Here, Top 10 of Malaysia shares its list of the nation’s top architects, recipients of recognition at the recent PAM Awards, whose talents are to be admired in more ways than one.
MJKanny Architect
MJKanny Architect was founded by its principal, Ar Melvyn Joachim Kanny and established in 2002. Its clients include large business organisations and its services include architecture, master planning, concepts, interiors, landscapes and project management. Meanwhile, some of MJKanny’s famous projects are Westside 3, the award-winning Jandabaik Twin Bungalows, Mines Waterfront Development and Venice Apartments, Lulu Island Resort, Bahrain. It also has won awards such as the PAM Awards for Colours on Buildings 7, My Green Home Award, PAM Awards Gold Single Residential and its project, Janda Baik Bungalow won the Gold award for Category 1, Single Residential during the PAM Awards 2018.
NWKA Architects Sdn Bhd
NWKA Architects Sdn Bhd was founded by Ar Ng Wai Keong and it has accomplished well-known projects such as the Banyan Tree Signatures Pavilion KL, ICC, Lot 321, The Landmark, Taylor’s International School KL Transformation, Fahrenheit 88, White Light and Toyoma Factory. NWKA won the Gold award for the Category 4 Industrial during the PAM Awards 2018 for the Big Dutchman Agriculture Headquarters and Warehouse project.
Archicentre Sdn Bhd
Archicentre Sdn Bhd was founded in 1994 by Ar Dr Tan Loke Mun, Ar Lim Wei Hong, Ar Teoh Chee Wui and Ar Ng Hai Yean and is a multi-disciplinary architecture design practice based in Malaysia. Its work portfolio range from large scale city and town planning through commercial, hospitality, residential and adaptive re-use projects. Among its projects are Almas at Putri Harbour, Johor, 55 AC Office, Armanee Terrace Marketing, Bakita at Changkat Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Aeropod at Tanjung Aru, Sabah, Glad Tidings Vision Centre, Ceylon Service Suites, 23Terrace, Bukit Tunku House and BritishIndia Store. The awards won by Archicentre include the BCI Asia Top 10 Architects Award 2018, Silver award for Category 2 Multiple Residential Low Rise for its project Charms of Nusantara during PAM Awards 2018 and Best Housing Development (Vietnam) during the PropertyGuru Vietnam Property Awards 2017.
W Design Associates Sdn Bhd (WDA)
W Design Associates Sdn Bhd (WDA) was established in 2008 and based in Kuala Lumpur. Founded by Ar Hanc Wang Hon Choon and Ar Ng Kok Keng, this well-known architecture firm is usually recognised as WDA and it specialises in designing combined commercial developments, residential high-rise developments and industrial parks in the Klang Valley and Southern region in Malaysia. Among its projects are Afiniti Residences, Tropicana Aman and Millerz Square. WDA won the Silver award under Category 4 Industrial during the PAM Awards 2018.
CKHO Architect
Founded by Ar Ho Chin Keng, CKHO Architect was established in George Town, Penang. It specialises in research-design, planning, architectural, interior design services, measured drawing for heritage building, residential, commercial, industrial, mixed development, institute, complex and many more. Being an experienced yet young architect firm, CKHO with a team of young professionals that craves to create unique and radical designs through various types of projects, forges contrasting designs to stand out from the rest. Being the first winner of prestigious International Holcim Awards from Malaysia.This prestigious firm also won the Silver award under Category 10 Special Category for the Missing Architecture Backlane project during the PAM Awards 2018.
aLM Architects
aLM Architects was founded by Ar Liew Tze Siang and Ar Mei Chee Seong in 2003. The founders later collaborated with Ar Zaidi Bin Hj Zakaria, Ar Janet Lai Nyuk Soon, Ar Yong Chee Keat, Ar Lim Chin Sung and Ar Sam Chin Sing. Soon, aLM expanded with branch offices at Alor Setar, Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur. Among the awards won by aLM are BCI top 10 Award (2015-2018), Asia Pacific Property Award (2016, 2018) and the recent silver award for the Category 10 Special Category for its MBPP Office at Penang City Park project during the PAM Awards 2018.
ArqhitectNIA
ArqhitectNIA is a multi-disciplinary service firm founded by Ar Nora Che Idris. Its specialties are designing, planning, interior design, development management and other related consultancy services. It has also completed projects such as the Rawang Specialist Hospital and Skypark Hangar. ArqhitectNIA also won the Gold award for Category 8 Commercial High Rise for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC Headquarters) during the PAM Awards 2018.
ARC Partnership and Arcalliance Sdn Bhd
ARC Partnership and Arcalliance Sdn Bhd was established and founded by Ar Rahim Mohd Din and Ar Chee Soo Teng. Later, the firm was joined by Ar Loo Chee Keong, Ar Anis Affandi, Ar Tan Jian Ren and Ar Jason Chang. The firm specialises in providing architectural consultancy for building design, master planning and project management for townships and building typologies thus emphasising design excellence. It has also successfully completed various projects from government buildings to affordable housing. Among the awards received and won was the first price for Naza TTDI 2011 Master Planning & Architectural Concept Competition and Silver award for Category 3 Multiple Residential High Rise for “The Potpourri” during the PAM Awards 2018.
Wooi Architect
Founded by Ar Wooi Lok Kuang, Wooi Architect was established in 1996. Among the projects by Wooi included the Ting Residence, Kuala Lumpur built in 2010, House 9, Shah Alam built in 2015 and Heng House, Petaling Jaya built in 2016. It also won the Gold award under Category 1 Single Residential for the project “Heng House” during the PAM Awards 2018. Besides, the firm is also recognised by the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) and Architects Regional Council, Asia (ARCASIA) for architectural excellence.
Arkitek LLA Sdn Bhd
Arkitek LLA Sdn Bhd was founded by Ar Laurence Loh and established in Penang in 1983. It focuses in creating projects such as architecture design, urban planning, interior design and landscaping. Among the projects designed by Arkitek LLA are M.G. House, Aspen Plot 3 Vervea, Aspen Plot 10 Vertu, Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Crown Logistic Negeri Sembilan, Chowrasta Market and Hardrock Hotel. It also won the Gold award for Category 5: Adaptive Re-Use (Building of the Year) for their project George Town World Heritage Site during the PAM Awards 2018.
