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MTC presents Malaysian Wood Awards The Malaysian Wood Awards is a first-of-its-kind competition in the country to encourage and inspire use of Malaysian timber.
TIMBER HAS BEEN changing the design landscapes of the world for eons. Despite losing its prominence over a period of time, timber never fell off the radar of builders, architects, engineers or developers.
Malaysia’ s rich rainforest has been a source of high quality timber for centuries. Our sustainable forest management practices have further boosted our timbers in the eyes of major wood users all over the world.
In a bid to highlight the versatility and beauty of Malaysian timbers, the Malaysian Timber Council( MTC) is organising the Malaysian Wood Awards, a first-of-its-kind competition for the wood industry in the country.
The Malaysian Wood Awards 2016 was launched by YBhg Datuk M Nagarajan, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities on behalf of YB Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong, Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities on 23 July 2016 at Level 1, Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre( KLCC).
“ I am optimistic that this Wood Awards will further promote and encourage a wider use of Malaysian timbers in the built environment. I hope the competition becomes a platform that will develop a‘ design-with-wood’ culture,” said Mah in a statement which was read by Nagarajan.
“ There are many benefits of using timber in the built environment which those in the construction industry are still unaware of. The introduction of the Malaysian Wood Awards will help dispel many of the myths associated with timber while paying tribute to those who knew how to use it best,” said the minister.
Also present at the launch ceremony was MTC Chief Executive Officer Datuk Dr Abdul Rahim Nik who hoped that the competition would give rise to a new generation of timber users.
“ The Malaysian Wood Awards 2016 is a premier competition that is set to reward designers of magnificent timber structures that stand majestically on Malaysian soil showcasing the brilliance of timber,” said Abdul Rahim.
While some of the world’ s premium tropical resorts and plush private hideaways are made of Malaysian timbers, only a handful knows about timber’ s versatility as a building material.
Photo: Park Hyatt Hadahaa, Maldives.
LEFT TO RIGHT: Y Bhg Datuk Dr Abdul Rahim Nik, Malaysian Timber Council CEO, Y Bhg Datuk M Nagarajan, Secretary-General of Ministry of Plantation, Industries and Commodities( MPIC) & Ar Mohd Zulhemlee An, President of the Malaysian Institute of Architects at the launch of the Malaysian Wood Awards.
“ While some of the world’ s premium tropical resorts and plush private hideaways are made of Malaysian timbers, only a handful knows about timber’ s versatility as a building material. It is time more Malaysians are made aware of timbers’ true abilities and they will be in awe when they see it,” added Abdul Rahim.
“ Wood is known to be more resilient than steel without the coldness of touch associated with the latter. Engineered timber products are even stronger and wood is more fire-safe than other building materials.
“ Timber beams are able to maintain their structural integrity during a fire due to wood’ s slow charring quality which gives people ample time to evacuate a building unlike steel or concrete as they buckle under high temperatures.
“ The overall cost of building with timber is much the same but there is considerable savings in terms of construction time when timber is used.”
The Malaysian Wood Awards, organised in collaboration with Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia( PAM), is open to all who have completed their projects in Malaysia during or after 2006. There are two categories in the competition – the Public or Commercial category and the Residential category. A total cash prize of RM150,000 is up for grabs. The judging panel will be represented by a cross section of prominent foreign and local professionals from the architectural, engineering and timber fraternities.
Registration deadline is 30 August 2016 while the closing date for the submission of all entries is 31 December 2016. ■
For details on the Malaysian Wood Awards, visit www. mtc. com. my / mwa or call Amira Ismail or Rachel Ling at 03-9281 1999. Alternatively, you can also e-mail mwa @ mtc. com. my
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