PETALING JAYA, 1 August 2024 — Boustead Properties Berhad (Boustead Properties) and Universiti Malaya have showcased innovative urban designs by students at an exhibition themed ‘Re-Emerging Mutiara Damansara Central Business District Exhibition,’ marking a key milestone in their strategic collaboration.
Held at the Curve, Mutiara Damansara, the event displayed innovative concepts for reinvigorating the township, created by Master’s in Architecture Year 1 students of academic session 2023/2024 from the Faculty of Built Environment, through a year of research and design work.
This exhibition celebrates students’ creativity and highlights the importance of ongoing engagement among stakeholders to bridge the gap between academia and industry. It provides a platform for students to showcase their work to a broader audience and gain new learning experiences based on real-world urban townships like Mutiara Damansara, an established area that presents unique opportunities and challenges for students.
“Mutiara Damansara is a flagship township development conceived more than 20 years ago and has since thrived as one of the most coveted addresses in Petaling Jaya,” said Khairul Azizi Ismail, Chief Executive Officer of Boustead Properties.
“What is more exciting is Mutiara Damansara’s prospects as a reinvigorated, greener, and more sustainable township. Looking at the works displayed, I must applaud the students’ creativity in conceptualising bold and innovative schemes. It is our hope that their ideas will expand our perspective and inspire us to embrace new, relevant concepts.”
The event featured a prize presentation worth RM4,200 to students who excelled in categories such as grand masterplan, mixed development, and high-rise designs. This initiative aligns with Boustead Properties’ sustainability agenda and commitment to corporate social responsibility by nurturing new talent and embracing fresh perspectives.
Throughout the collaboration, representatives from Boustead Properties have also participated in several critique and review sessions focusing on integrating sustainability into socially responsible developments.
Professor Faizul Azli Mohd Rahim, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Built Environment at Universiti Malaya, commented, “At Universiti Malaya, we emphasise holistic architectural education that covers technical skills, sustainability, and cultural aspects. Our students learn to consider the social and environmental impacts of their designs while appreciating our shared heritage.”
Professor Faizul added, “Mutiara Damansara presents numerous opportunities for our students to create better spaces for the local community, and we believe this exhibition will inspire future development into an environmentally friendly and competitive township.”
Boustead Properties also highlighted its next landmark development – ‘The Lines’, that will be launched in Q3 2024. ‘The Lines’ is a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and residential mixed-use project, a key component of the reinvigoration efforts for Mutiara Spaces.
Looking ahead, Boustead Properties is committed to supporting future architects and planners. “Together, we can achieve great things,” Khairul Azizi concluded, highlighting the company’s dedication to shaping better townships through collaborative efforts that drive both innovation and sustainable development.
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