23 November 2020 – A sum of RM 250,000 awaits the first prize winner of the RTS Link Station Façade Design Ideas Competition whose façade design may be adopted for the future Bukit Chagar RTS Link Station of the Rapid Transit System Link (RTS Link) between Johor Bahru and Singapore.

The other prizes of the competition, launched today, are RM65,000 for the Second Prize, RM35,000 for the Third Prize, and a total of RM30,000 for Honorary Mentions. The winners will be announced in February next year.

The launch of the competition by Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) and Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM) took place a day after the groundbreaking ceremony for the RTS Link project at the site for the future station in Bukit Chagar, Johor Bahru.

Over 200 participants joined the event virtually from various locations in Johor Bahru, Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur and other parts of Malaysia via video teleconferencing.

The Bukit Chagar station will be where passengers headed to Singapore board RTS Link trains for a five-minute train ride to Woodlands North Station in Singapore. Construction of the project is expected to be completed in 2026.

The launch signals the opening for registration to those who are interested to take part. This can be done through the competition website.

The competition, which is open to all PAM architects registered with Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia, will involve developing a concept façade design for the new 3-storey elevated station structure.

The station is set to be a new landmark icon in Johor Bahru with a capacity of 10,000 passengers per hour and an estimated ridership of about 150,000 passengers per day. The link will also be integrated with public transport systems at both the Bukit Chagar and Woodland North stations.

MRT Corporation’s CEO Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim said, "We are delighted to collaborate with PAM on this competition as we want to tap into the pool of talented architects for this exciting new station that we will be building for the RTS Link project."

"The competition is the brainchild of Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar and I am very grateful that His Majesty The Sultan of Johor has also consented to be the Patron and Jury Chair for the competition," he said.

As the station will become a new gateway into Johor Bahru and Malaysia, Zarif said the station should have an iconic design to reflect the modern and confident outlook of Johor Bahru but at the same time, incorporate the essence and characteristics of the heritage of Johor Darul Ta’zim.

PAM President Datuk Ar. Ezumi Harzani Ismail said the competition is an excellent opportunity for Malaysian architects to showcase their talent and creativity, to drive innovation and to be involved in national projects.

"Our architect members have a wealth of experience in a variety of projects which include townships, housing, heritage conservation, green buildings and more. They play an important role in contributing not just to the urban design of this country but also in designing innovative solutions to transform our way of life, including improving our transportation hubs and their experience."

"PAM is delighted to be given this opportunity to organise the competition in collaboration with MRT Corp. We hope the winning design concept will leave a lasting legacy on the skyline of Johor Bahru," he said.

Competition convenor, Ar. Ang Chee Cheong said the PAM + MRT Corp Façade Design Ideas Competition is a great platform and challenge for architects to contribute to nation building.

“Design competitions are the most ideal and internationally accepted way to generate the best ideas and solutions for the city, providing an impetus to drive our talent base to new levels towards adding value to our cities and society. The current Covid-19 pandemic shows us that more than ever, we need new solutions, new imagination and new answers,” he added.

Interested participants should register for the competition by 11 December 2020. Submissions for the competition will close on 25 January 2021.

Top image courtesy of the competition

> via RTS Link Station Façade Design Ideas Competition