Lam Xing Yan Shines in Taiwan Excellence Sustainable Innovation Challenge in conjunction with ARCHIDEX 2023

Nurul Haqima

The Taiwan Excellence “Sustainable Innovation Challenge” embarks on a journey to inspire the next generation of architects and designers, urging them to champion sustainable design in their creations.

The prestigious competition encourages students to unleash their creativity and envision a world where award-winning environmentally responsible materials, energy-efficient systems, and cutting-edge smart technologies converge seamlessly into architectural wonders.

The renowned Taiwan Excellence, known for representing the highest quality products from Taiwan, returned with a special focus on “Green Living” during Asia’s leading architecture business event: The 22nd International Architecture, Interior Design & Building Exhibition 2023 (Archidex), an event of Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival 2023 in Malaysia.

This significant event took place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from July 26 to 29, 2023. Over the course of these four days, ten exceptional award-winning brands were presented, featuring intelligent and environmentally-conscious products.

Group Photo of Winners, Judges and Representative from TAITRA, UTM and UTAR
Front left: Ong, Lam Xing Yan’s sister, Ang, Jeff Jee and Maadavan
Back left: UTM Architecture Programme Lecturer Ts. Dr. Leng Pau Chung, Jean Wong, TAITRA Director Ms Eva Peng, Lim, Lead of Judges, Ar Abu Zarim, Head of Department of Sustainable Architecture UTAR LKC FES Dr Tan Kok Hong and UTAR LKC FES Specialist Ar Loh Khang Yong

Taiwan Excellence “Sustainable Innovation Challenge”: Shaping a Greener Future, Organized by: Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT), Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA)
In Collaboration with: UTM Architecture Department, UTAR Architecture And Sustainable Design Department from 22 May to 28 July 2023

In conjunction with the Archidex 2023 exhibition, the “Sustainable Innovation Challenge” organized by Taiwan Excellence aims to inspire a new generation of architects and designers to pursue a path of environmental stewardship.

By incorporating sustainable practices, the organizers, who are co-hosting the competition together with UTM Architecture School and UTAR Architecture And Sustainable Design Department, envision a future in which buildings and structures coexist harmoniously with nature, minimizing their ecological footprint and maximizing their positive social impact.

The timeline for the Sustainable Innovation Challenge is as follows:

22 May: Announcement of the competition / Online briefing to students
5 June: Closing of registration
26 June: Closing of submission of Design Concept Statement in Digital Format
28 June: Announcement of Shortlist (select 10 finalists, while Top 5 will attend the presentation stage)
24 July: Closing of Submission of Presentation Boards
28 July: Oral presentation & result announcement

On the first day (July 26, 2023) of Archidex 2023, The Taiwan Excellence Pavilion hosted the “Green Living” Press Conference and launching ceremony, beginning at 2:30 pm. The event was inaugurated by Mr. James Wong, the Director of the Economic Division at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia.

This was followed by insights shared by Associate Professor Ar. Dr. Lim Yaik Wah, Director of Architecture at the Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, and Ts. Dr. Tan Kok Hong, Head of the Department of Architecture & Sustainable Design at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman. The ceremony ended with a group photo session and a tour of the Green Pavilion.

Group Photo during the launching ceremony
Front left: TAITRA Director Ms Eva Peng, Head of Department of Sustainable Architecture UTAR LKC FES Dr Tan Kok Hong, Mr. James Chang, Representative at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia, UTM Architecture Programme Director Assoc. Prof Ar Dr Lim Yaik Wah
Back Left: UTM Architecture Lecturer Ts Dr Leng Pau Chung and Representative of Taiwan Excellence Brands @ Archidex 2023

Assoc. Prof Ar Dr Lim Yaik Wah, The director of Architecture Programme, Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying deliver the sharing speech during the launching ceremony

Booth touring session with VVIP and Taiwan Excellence Exhibitors @ Archidex 2023

The final judging session for the Top 6 finalists happened on July 28 at 2:30 pm in the Green Pavilion KLCC. During this session, the students presented their final designs based on the concept boards from the initial stage to the judges.

The judging panel was led by Ar. Abu Zarim bin Abu Bakar, The Chief Judge of the Taiwan Excellence Sustainable Innovation Challenge and President of the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM).

Based on the competition brief, the students had the freedom to select a site (6m x 6m plot) based on their design brief. A key requirement was that the participants incorporate a Taiwan Excellence product as the primary design inspiration for their exhibition product at ARCHIDEX 2023.

The overall design had to include at least one product to be exhibited at ARCHIDEX 2023, along with five award-winning Taiwan Excellence products (2019-2023).

Representing UTM, Lam Xing Yan emerged as one of the standout finalists, winning the silver prize along with a cash prize of RM3,000 and an award certificate. The list of winners is as follows:

Gold Award – Lim Zhi Xing (UTAR) | Project Title: Parasite
Silver Award – Lam Xing Yan (UTM) | Project Title: Urban
Bronze Award – Ang Yee En (UTAR) | Project Title: Tea-gather
Best Design Award – Jeff Jee Wei Wah (UTAR) | Project Title: Seed
Best Sustainable Award – Maadavan Jayakumaran (UTAR) | Project Title: Riverside Cottage
Green Innovation Award – Ong Chun Yi (UTAR) | Project Title: Sustainable Innovative Home