Kuala Lumpur 19th February 2020
SM Architect Sdn Bhn (part of Swan & Maclaren group) won the facade competition for RTS Link Bukit Chagar Station in Johor Bahru.
This competition was organized by Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) and Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM). DYMM Sultan Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj, Sultan of Johor was the jury chair and competition Patron. Our winning design was chosen by the jury panel among 91 entries.
The new RTS Link Station at Bukit Chagar represents another exciting milestone in the proud history of Johor. As a major public infrastructure flagship icon of national pride and international importance commissioned by His Majesty DYMM Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, the Sultan of Johor, the RTS Link Station Façade Design Ideas Competition seeks the most creative innovation and distinct character that derived from Johor’s identity and its vibrant culture, heritage and history.
Our design challenge is to introduce an iconic built form that symbolises the close symbiotic relationship between Johor and Singapore. And at the same time to introduce vibrancy, modernity and movement to reflect the essence of a RTS station. Hence, our inspiration for “ The Integration of Two”, has been our design concept since day 1.
We took inspiration from the image of two hands holding each other’s wrists. That powerful image exhales the spirit of the history between Singapore and Johor, embracing and supporting each other. The façade’s form generation offers several fresh, practical and symbolic interpretations. The intertwined ‘bands’ are irregular, creating an interesting light and shadow effect into the space below to be enjoyed by the thousand of commuters. At the same time also allows natural sunlight and ventilation in the station platform area. Users are able to enjoy the cityscape from different angles, through the openings between the ‘bands’. Layers of ‘bands’ are also inspired by the stripes of Jalur Gemilang – the flag of Malaysia. Furthermore, we infused distinctive cultural elements into the ‘bands’. View the design totality we can also draw reference to the form of Malay Keris and Johor Royal Crown which represent the symbol of power and authority.
A competition of this nature and complexity stretches the talents and experience of a cohesive and creative team. It is the team effort that translates all the complex ideas into an ICONIC architecture art piece. This winning is the result of that collaboration, passion and dedication within the SM’s family and culture. We are extremely proud that the design team member are majority Johoreans who graduated from local universities.
We would like to thank the organizers Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) and Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM), who had spent effort in organizing, assessing and making sure the smoothness and quality of the event. It is a great pleasure to share the design concept with MRT Corp Chief Executive Officer Datuk Moh Zarif Hashim, a very visionary man, who shared his passion in the creation of a world class transit station.
This event is indeed a great milestone to bring the family of our profession together, contributing the very best to the nation. Moreover, we are more than honoured and blessed, for the entry to be shortlisted by the Panel of Distinguished Jury and the Winning Historical Design being picked by His Majesty Sultan of Johor.
To conclude, we wish to celebrate this win with people of Johor Bahru. Indeed, it is the city who has won the competition. We believe the design will uplift the transit experiences of all commuters. This extremely visible train station is a contrasting Landmark to Johor Bahru’s city urban scape. It is a symbol of bonding and a long standing partnership between Malaysia and Singapore. With this new ICON, it strengthens Johor Bahru’s vision as a world class international destination and as the Southern Gateway of Malaysia. We look forward to the partnership with MRT Corp and all other stakeholders, in developing and realizing this project.
Project Name: The Integration of Two, the RTS Station at Bukit Chagar
Location: Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Client: MRT Corporation Sdn Bhd
Architecture Firm: SM Architects Sdn Bhd
Principal Architects: Lim Chai Boon, Ar Eugene Wong, Ar Chin Yee Choong (Team Leader)
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