Embracing designs with local identity
By NG PAU LING
A chair has long been the object of obsession for architects and designers over hundred years. It is not only basic utilitarian furniture, but a well-designed chair also carries the identity and story of a person, city or a country.
Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival 2018 (KLAF2018) organised by Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM) has since launched an open design competition themed KL Chair. The competition is aimed to find the best local designer chair that is functional yet embodies the identity of Kuala Lumpur city.
“I am hopeful that the festival will inspire a generation of future architects and designers who will redefine or reposition development agendas that will be recognised worldwide with a twist of the ‘Malaysia-made’ trademark,” said KLAF royal patron Tengku Zatashah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah at the launch of KLAF2018.
Shortlisted from 103 submissions, the 18 chairs by the local designers that had entered the finals are now on display in the KLAF: Box exhibition at National Art Gallery Malaysia. The showcase is open to the public for free until Aug 12; 10 am to 6 pm daily.
Besides the professional judging that will take place on July 17 by an eclectic panel of jury, the visitors of the exhibition are also invited to vote on the spot for their favourite chair. The designer chair which gets the highest number of votes will receive the “People’s Choice Award”.
Moreover, each of the exhibited chairs will be placed in an open auction during the exhibition period. The proceeds after expenses will be allocated for charity.
