A time to shine: (Seated, from left) Norshafina, Star Media Group (SMG) chief operating officer Lydia Wang and group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt, Adrianta taking a group photo with (standing from left) Teo, Tan, Nik Mohd Ruiz, Mohd Khir, TamilSalvi and Choy—SAMUEL ONG/The Star
Judges comment on design ingenuity, community impact and environmental responsibility
The StarProperty Awards 2025 marked a defining moment for Malaysia’s real estate sector. As the industry’s top practitioners, experts and thought leaders gathered to evaluate this year’s entries, a common sentiment echoed throughout that the entries not only met expectations, they exceeded them.
“This year’s StarProperty Awards entries showcase impressive innovations,” said Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) president Adrianta Aziz. “The projects reflect a strong commitment to quality, community impact and future-ready living, highlighting the industry’s continuous evolution.”
In its 10th anniversary edition, the Awards saw participation from a wider geographical spread, attracting developers big and small from across the country. The diversity and scale of the entries revealed a rising ambition to go beyond traditional property development by integrating livability, inclusivity and environmental awareness into every stage of planning and execution.
Designs that bond communities
A clear highlight among the entries was the shift towards family-centric developments, a trend that interior design professionals believe signals positive long-term impact on society.
“I love to see that there are a lot of developments that prioritise family bonding and family-centric concepts,” said Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers (MIID) president Norshafina Ibrahim. “To me, this is a good sign—common spaces that activate wonderful family activity. Continue to develop more wonderful developments.”
Judges were quick to point out the increased attention given to public spaces, green areas and multifunctional communal hubs. The result is a new generation of developments designed not just to house people but to connect them, through curated landscapes, interactive parks and co-living infrastructure.
Fine margins and fierce competition
Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM) honorary secretary-general Choy Yue Kwong, who has been involved in judging over the years, noted how steep the competition has become.
“I’ve been observing that the standards are getting higher and higher,” he said. “It’s a very, very fine margin. Those who don’t win, you can come again next year.”
That razor-thin margin underscores how closely matched the projects have become, each demonstrating advanced design sensibilities, high build quality and sustainable frameworks.
Association of Valuers, Property Managers, Estate Agents and Property Consultants in the Private Sector (PEPS) vice president Tan Ka Leong was equally enthusiastic. “It is exciting to see that this year’s StarProperty Awards have received many entries from all over Malaysia”
Innovation and the wow factor
Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP) council member Nik Mohd Ruiz Nik Ahmad Fakhrul Razy said it best: “It’s really exciting. Very competitive. I think what we look for is the wow factor, what stands out.”
That wow factor emerged in several entries that employed groundbreaking features, whether in smart home integrations, ESG-led architecture or placemaking that brought vibrancy to once-underutilised land parcels.
The entries also reflected an increased commitment to holistic township development, with amenities, transport access, educational institutions and wellness elements embedded into their DNA.
Green, sustainable, responsible
Another clear thread running through this year’s entries was the heightened focus on green design and corporate social responsibility (CSR).
“This year’s entries, I would say, is nothing but remarkable,” said Malaysia Green Building Council (MGBC) council member TamilSalvi Mari. “A lot of thoughtful designs, which are very interesting. I believe the winners will set new standards for the upcoming participants for next year.”
MGBC chief executive officer Mitch Gelber added that he was particularly impressed with developments that took sustainability seriously, not just for branding purposes but in measurable implementation.
Similarly, Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia (ILAM) council member Charles Teo Kae Siang remarked: “All the submissions have actually done more than what they are required and this is a good start for property development in Malaysia.”
The shift toward climate resilience and low-carbon living is no longer aspirational. It is becoming a baseline requirement in projects vying for top honours.
Engineering a better future
Engineers, too, noted the growth in diversity and complexity of award categories this year, reflecting the industry’s evolution.
The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) fellow Mohd Khir Muhammad noted, “There were more categories this year that highlighted innovation and CSR. That’s good.”
As developers strive to meet evolving standards in liveability and environmental sustainability, their solutions are becoming more interdisciplinary, blending architecture, infrastructure, urban planning and environmental stewardship.
The way forward
For StarProperty Awards’ long-time judges and industry partners, the 2025 entries offered hope and a challenge, for the next generation of developers.
“There is a visible shift,” said PAM’s Adrianta. “The industry is moving beyond the basics of functionality and location. It’s about integrated lifestyle offerings, long-term community value and architectural relevance in a changing world.”
Each winning entry this year did not just reflect its developer’s capability, it also hinted at where Malaysian real estate is headed: toward more mindful, meaningful development that places people and planet at the centre.
From compact urban residences with smart solutions to master-planned green townships designed for intergenerational living, this year’s entries showcase a maturing industry. One that is bold enough to innovate, humble enough to listen and driven enough to rise—year after year.
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