Machado and Silvetti Associates, firm of Jorge Silvetti, Nelson Robinson, Jr. Professor of Architecture, with its international partner, Akitek Jururancang (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (AJM) has recently been awarded the commission as master planners for the Kuala Lumpur International Financial District (KLIFD).
In late 2010, 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Berhad) organized the design competition for master planners, attracting some of the world’s best, including: Foster + Partners, Sasaki, BDP, Broadway Malyan, Atkins, Cox Richardson, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill, Nikken Sekkei Ltd., and OMA. According to 1MDB, the selected team represents the fusion of local and international talents that best translated their vision for the future financial district through their concept and rendering of the master plan.
The Detailed Master Plan is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2012. The 75-acre development in the Imbi area of Kuala Lumpur aims to bring together world-class financial institutions and top global companies to work side by side from a central location. It will leverage on Malaysia’s strength in Islamic finance and play on its strategic location to build on existing financial centres within the region.
The Akitek Jururancang-Machado Silvetti partnership will implement the highest level of international design and progressive planning tenets, including industry-leading sustainability in buildings and infrastructure, a pedestrian-friendly green public realm, dynamic links to public transportation, and guidelines for architecture of high international standards. The master plan will significantly contribute to the urbanscape of Kuala Lumpur, keeping in line with the Greater KL initiative to make Kuala Lumpur a global city.
Lead by Prof. Jorge Silvetti, this team included the following GSD alumni:
Wei Bao, MArch ’08; Jeffry Burchard, MArch ’08; Jayne Kang, MArch ’10; Min Lim, MArch ’09; Noel Murphy, MArch ’08; Mete Sonmez, MArch ’08; Tetsuo Takemoto, MArch ’07; Mike Yusem, MArch ’93.