MUTIARA HILLS
SCULPTURE DESIGN CHALLENGE 2023

Synergies between Nature and Buildings for Future Communities

The Story of Semenyih

SEMENYIH, a small town whose name originated from the Malay word “Sembunyi” (hidden place), is no longer such a place. With robust development taking place, Semenyih, located south of Greater KL just outside Kajang, is steadily revealing its charm to homebuyers and property investors.

Semenyih is a town and a mukim in Hulu Langat District in southeastern Selangor, Malaysia along the Kajang–Seremban road. It is 28 km (17 mi) southeast of downtown Kuala Lumpur and 8 km (5.0 mi) southeast of Kajang.

One of the main attractions in Semenyih is the Broga Hills. Broga Hill is located in the town of Semenyih, Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia. It is also known as Bukit Lalang or Bukit Broga. Standing at 400m tall, it is a relatively simple hike that offers a panoramic view of Broga town. As such, it can get really crowded during the weekends during the morning and evening hours.

The Story of Semenyih

SEMENYIH, a small town whose name originated from the Malay word “Sembunyi” (hidden place), is no longer such a place. With robust development taking place, Semenyih, located south of Greater KL just outside Kajang, is steadily revealing its charm to homebuyers and property investors.

Semenyih is a town and a mukim in Hulu Langat District in southeastern Selangor, Malaysia along the Kajang–Seremban road. It is 28 km (17 mi) southeast of downtown Kuala Lumpur and 8 km (5.0 mi) southeast of Kajang.

One of the main attractions in Semenyih is the Broga Hills. Broga Hill is located in the town of Semenyih, Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia. It is also known as Bukit Lalang or Bukit Broga. Standing at 400m tall, it is a relatively simple hike that offers a panoramic view of Broga town. As such, it can get really crowded during the weekends during the morning and evening hours.

Background of Mutiara Hills

Mutiara Hills was previously a palm oil plantation named Balau Estate, with the 1,201 acres of agricultural land formerly owned by Boustead Plantations and now acquired by Boustead Properties. The mixed-use township will offer residential and commercial units as well as a business hub.

Background of Mutiara Hills

Mutiara Hills was previously a palm oil plantation named Balau Estate, with the 1,201 acres of agricultural land formerly owned by Boustead Plantations and now acquired by Boustead Properties. The mixed-use township will offer residential and commercial units as well as a business hub.

Masterplan of Mutiara Hills

The total acreage for the overall development of Mutiara Hills is about 1,201 acres. Meanwhile, the development was divided into 3 sectors, which is for Sector 1 is about 237.25 acres and sector 2 & 3 is about 915.75 acres in total. The site context’s figure 1 shows the breakdown parcel for the entire township.

  • 237.25 acres Sector 1
  • 915.75 acres Sector 2 & 3 (Future Development)

1,201 acres in total

Proposed Location for Roundabout’s Sculpture

Proposed Location for Roundabout’s Sculpture

The Sculpture

The Aim
The aim of the competition is to have a significant landmark at the roundabout to reflect the identity of Mutiara Hills.
The Objective
The objective is to create a sculpture at the roundabout that signifies the identity of Mutiara Hills and Boustead’s presence in the industry. Sustainability is Mutiara Hills’ main essence, and the sculpture should portray and communicate this message across.

The Sculpture

The Aim
The aim of the competition is to have a significant landmark at the roundabout to reflect the identity of Mutiara Hills.
The Objective
The objective is to create a sculpture at the roundabout that signifies the identity of Mutiara Hills and Boustead’s presence in the industry. Sustainability is Mutiara Hills’ main essence, and the sculpture should portray and communicate this message across.

Learn more about the sculpture installation

Design criteria
  1. The installation that you propose should be an exclusive work, designed specifically for this project.
  2. The sculpture must reflect the vision of Mutiara Hills being a sustainable township, which is self-sufficient, and low maintenance.
  3. The design should not block or distract the view of road users when stopping at the roundabout.
  4. The dimensions should be in the range of 20 ft in width and not more than 32 ft in height.
  5. External finishes should be complementary overall to the development and be considerate to the public’s use with respect to solar glare factors.
Sustainability Aspects
The design features of the sculpture need to integrate self-sustaining elements that allow for the sculpture to be maintained in long term i.e., solar system and rainwater harvesting system. We encourage to use of recyclable materials waste.
Estimated Budget
The estimated construction cost (including SST) is RM 150,000. On the basis of the competition results the budget will be verified, confirmed or adapted.

Learn more about the sculpture installation

Design criteria
  1. The installation that you propose should be an exclusive work, designed specifically for this project.
  2. The sculpture must reflect the vision of Mutiara Hills being a sustainable township, which is self-sufficient, and low maintenance.
  3. The design should not block or distract the view of road users when stopping at the roundabout.
  4. The dimensions should be in the range of 20 ft in width and not more than 32 ft in height.
  5. External finishes should be complementary overall to the development and be considerate to the public’s use with respect to solar glare factors.
Sustainability Aspects
The design features of the sculpture need to integrate self-sustaining elements that allow for the sculpture to be maintained in long term i.e., solar system and rainwater harvesting system. We encourage to use of recyclable materials waste.
Estimated Budget
The estimated construction cost (including SST) is RM 150,000. On the basis of the competition results the budget will be verified, confirmed or adapted.

Timeline

25th January 2023

Invitation to Participants

17th February 2023

Registration Open Date

27th February 2023

Registration Closing Date

17th March 2023 @ 11.59pm

Submission Closing Date

22nd – 27th March 2023

Evaluation Period

3rd April 2023

Announcement of Winners

10th April 2023

Start of Industry Exposure Exercise

Mutiara Spaces and Boustead Properties recently concluded the Mutiara Hills Sculpture Design Challenge 2023, unveiling a showcase of sustainable marvels. Themed "Synergies between Nature and Buildings for Future Communities," the competition invited students from Malaysian universities to redesign the main roundabout of the Mutiara Hills Township in Semenyih, Selangor.

Participants were urged to transcend conventional design norms, incorporating ecological principles into their creations. A distinguished panel of industry professionals, including Dr. Sharmiza Abu Hassan, Ar. Qhawarizmi Norhisham, LAr. Fairouz Che Ani, Taufiq Jaapar, Mustasha Musa, and Shareena Othman, evaluated entries based on creativity, originality, and sustainability.

The winning entry, "Unison Sculpture," by Syamirul Alif Bin Shaharudin and Mohd Ali Kouli from Universiti Sains Malaysia, stood out for seamlessly capturing the essence of Mutiara Hills while integrating environmentally-friendly features.

Khairul Azizi Ismail, CEO of Boustead Properties, praised the competition for showcasing remarkable youth talent and reflecting the company's commitment to sustainability. With 72 registrations from 12 universities, the challenge highlighted a growing enthusiasm for sustainable architecture among students.

The top five finalists, exemplifying creativity, integrity, and innovation, are set to embark on an immersive industry exposure exercise starting in June. This initiative offers students a firsthand experience of the construction phase of their winning creation, bridging theoretical knowledge with practical application.

As we celebrate the triumph of "Unison Sculpture" and the success of the Mutiara Hills Sculpture Design Challenge 2023, we witness the crystallisation of a vision where architecture and nature dance in harmony, sculpting a sustainable future for thriving communities. This competition serves as a guiding beacon, inspiring the next generation of architects to design with purpose and leave an indelible mark on tomorrow's landscape.