The Project of the Year award went to Wetlands Arboretum by Gamuda Cove.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia (ILAM) recently  hosted the Malaysia Landscape Architecture Awards (MLAA15) Gala Night 2025, celebrating 15 years of Malaysia’s most prestigious platform for excellence in landscape architecture.

Held at the Renaissance Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, the milestone event brought together over 500 distinguished guests including public officials, developers, designers, researchers, academics and media, reflecting on the profession’s evolution and impact over the past decade and a half.

With 136 entries across 12 categories, MLAA15 honours the creativity, resilience  and commitment of landscape professionals in shaping Malaysia’s built and natural environments. The event was officiated by Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL) president Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif.

In her welcome address, ILAM president Associate Prof Nor Atiah Ismail said: “Landscape architecture is about building hope, healing environments and empowering people. As we move into our next decade, ILAM will continue to lead through advocacy, education and innovation.”

DBKL's Maimunah giving her speech at the event.

Spotlight on regenerative landscape movement

The Project of the Year 2025 award went to Wetlands Arboretum by Gamuda Cove, which serves as a model for climate-resilient and community-centred ecological design. Adjacent to Paya Indah Discovery Wetlands, the 90-acre site integrates stormwater retention, native reforestation using the Miyawaki method and biophilic learning trails. With 40% of the landscape composed of water bodies, the arboretum reduces urban heat, attracts wildlife and offers immersive education for all ages. Collaboration with Orang Asli communities adds cultural authenticity, making this a landmark in regenerative design.

The President’s Award 2025 was presented to Bandar Bukit Raja Wetland Townpark (Selangor) by Sime Darby Property (Bukit Raja). The President’s Award recognises this 21st-century townpark for its integration of Water-Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD). Features include bioswales, constructed wetlands, rain gardens, composting hubs and an Urban Community Farm. The park not only addresses flood mitigation and water quality but also nurtures biodiversity and local stewardship—creating a truly multifunctional green infrastructure system.

Mustafa Kamal was given the Lifetime Achievement Award 2025.

The Lifetime Achievement Award 2025 was to honour Prof Mustafa Kamal Mohd Shariff who is a trailblazer in landscape education, behavioural studies and storytelling-based teaching. He is celebrated for his profound influence on generations of designers. As a former ILAM president and mentor, his legacy continues to inspire empathy-driven and ecologically sensitive design practices.

The Emerging Landscape Architect Award 2025 was won by Permata Green founder Teng Pe Yang whose place-based design philosophy, Jiwa Setempat, has earned him national and international recognition. His leadership within ILAM, cross-border academic engagement and studio's work in cultural and ecological sensitivity set a new bar for future practice.

Transforming the profession

The MLAA15 is more than an awards night—it is a platform that sets design benchmarks, elevates the profession’s visibility and advocates for policies that promote sustainability in the built environment. This year also marks the official launch of the Landscape Architecture Malaysia Yearbook (LAMY 2025).

MLAA15 also highlights ILAM’s nationwide MyNBS Initiative, an educational, technical and policy programme promoting the mainstreaming of Nature-Based Solutions. Over 20 award-winning projects this year featured NBS frameworks, ranging from:

• Wetlands and Urban Forests (KL East Micro Forest, Yak Yah Firefly Realm)
• Green Infrastructure and Sponge Cities (KotaSAS, Summit Park, Taman Tasik Titiwangsa)
• Biocultural Landscapes and River Rehabilitation (LakePoint Park, Sungai Pinang Resilience Project)
• CSR and Public Engagement (Firefly & Dragonfly Park, Rimbakau Sanctuary, Putrajaya Parks Day)

These efforts exemplify how landscape architects are leading Malaysia’s environmental and social transition through integrated design.

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