KOTA KINABALU: The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) bestowed the Best Project Award for 2019 to the Tanjung Aru Library building project.
The award is in the medium category for contract value RM20 to RM100 million under the Malaysian Construction Industry Excellence Awards (MCIEA). It is organised by CIDB to recognise industry players on their contributions and outstanding performance throughout the year.
Sabah Chief Librarian Wong Vui Yin (pic) said this is the first time in Malaysia that a public library building has won this prestigious award from CIDB. The contract sum for the library is less than RM50 million, hence was within the medium category.
Accompanying Wong to receive the award in Kuala Lumpur would be two architects and contractor team members as the CIDB award for the best project awards aim to recognise projects that have demonstrated overall excellence in project implementation with appreciation/acknowledgement given to clients, contractors and leading consultants (project team).
This category is divided into building and infrastructure comprising small, medium and major projects as follows:
Small – contract value less than RM20 million; Medium – contract value RM20 to RM100 million; and Major – contract value more than RM100 million
The evaluation criteria comprised the Concept/Planning/Design stage looking at aspects like fit for purpose, design innovation/uniqueness, sustainable design landscape, aesthetics and harmony and maintenance/asset and facilities management (AFM).
Daily Express spoke to the architect Sim Sie Hong of Innotech Design Architects at Damai, Luyang office and he said the design was actually meant for the former State Library in the city that was closed down, and it was modified for the new site in Tanjung Aru.
