Top 10 Architecture Firms

Creating Spaces for People

Creating spaces for people was the speakers’ theme at ceremonies for the BCI Asia Top 10 Awards 2007. The ceremonies were held in Bangkok, Beijing, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Singapore and attended by approximately a thousand architects, developers and journalists.

The Top 10 firms had the highest accumulated value of active projects in their portfolios, as reported in BCI Asia’s information services in the year through to 30 September 2006 in eight distinct architectural markets, namely the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.Recipients of the BCI Asia Top 10 Awards designed spaces for the greatest number of people in their respective domestic markets and therefore had an immense moral duty, BCI Asia Chairman Dr. Matthias Krups said in his speech which described spaces for people as addressing architecture in three ways.

“Firstly, there is the aspect of architecture that most directly impacts individuals in their daily lives: architecture providing shelter, protection from the elements and a source of aesthetic joy. The Top 10 firms deliver such architecture by focusing on the needs of the individual rather than seeking to maximise a project’s iconic value,” he said.

The second dimension addresses urban planning, which is critical in Asian cities; and the third dimension relates to ecology. It is already clear that architects can radically reduce carbon emissions and consumption of non-renewable fuels, said Dr Krups.

Leading architects travelled to overseas Top 10 ceremonies to give their views on creating spaces for people, sharing lessons learnt as Top 10 architects in their home markets. The speakers included Professor Ding Jie Min of China-based Architectural Design and Research Institute of Tongji University, Dr. Nirmal Kishnani of Singapore-based CPG Consultants Pte Ltd, Lim Chai Boon of Singapore-based P & T Consultants Pte Ltd, Felino A. Palafox Jr. of the Philippines-based Palafox Associates, Pierre-Jean Malgouyres of Vietnam-based ARCHETYPE VIETNAM Ltd, Dr. Ronald Lu of Hong Kong-based Ronald Lu & Partners (HK) Ltd, Chin Thoe Chong of Singapore-based DP Architects Pte Ltd and Li Xinggang of China-based Architecture Design and Research Group.

Dr. Kishnani said, “As an advocate of green buildings, I see in BCI Asia a powerful framework for promoting sustainability. I believe that the greatest challenge facing sustainable buildings in Asia is information (or the lack thereof)—what to do, where to go for information and who to turn to for products and services. In other words, how do we ‘connect the dots’ for holistic, cost-effective solutions?”

The ceremonies were reported widely in daily newspapers across the region including the Bangkok Post, Saigon Times, Bisnis Indonesia, Malaysia New Straits Times, The Star, The Philippines Star, Manila Bulletin, Singapore My Paper, Hong Kong Ta Kung Pao and Beijing Youth Daily.

Each ceremony gave architects an opportunity to mingle with peers and to review technology from the Top 10 Patrons: Nippon Paint and SCHOTT were patrons for all of Southeast Asia and Greater China; Shell, Autodesk and Legrand for Southeast Asia; Bilco, Megaman and Kohler for Hong Kong; Hunter Douglas for the Philippines; and Forbo, Schindler and Envac for China.

In Thailand, award recipient Siriwan Saengthong of Woods Bagot (Thailand) Co., Ltd said the impressive ceremony was a great venue for meeting leading architectural firms and suppliers.Malaysia Top 10 Award recipient Jeffrey Ling of Architects 61 Sdn Bhd said, “This is the first year we have been honoured with this recognition and our collaboration with BCI Asia not only helps to widen the network of business partners within the industry but also to keep us informed of architectural happenings within and around the region.”

In Indonesia, Top 10 Award recipient Indrasetiadjid of Arkonin said the award recognised the professionalism and consistency of architecture firms. Award recipient Tresnowati of Atelier 6 Arsitek said the ceremonies gave property owners a better awareness of the architecture industry. Meanwhile, award recipient Henry Kusnadi of Indomegah Cipta bangun Citra urged the Top 10 winners to reflect on their success and keep improving.

Vietnam award recipient Tran Song Son of DP Consulting Co., Ltd said that the BCI Asia Top Ten awards are “a huge encouragement” to architects and their firms and also spurs “the development of Vietnam’s urban design strongly”.

The Top 10 Awards were conceived by BCI Asia to provide an overview of architecture firms designing the greatest volume of buildings in eight regional markets of Asia and to encourage the leading firms to strive for the creation of socially responsible architecture.