The inauguration of Malaysia Biennial 100YC: Medini 2017
What’s next for Medini Iskandar Malaysia in one hundred years?
Medini Iskandar Malaysia, Iskandar Puteri, October 17, 2016: A first for Malaysia, the Malaysia Biennial 100YC: Medini 2017 (‘Malaysia Biennial 100 Years City’), a global research initiative, was launched recently by Nextdor Property Communications Sdn Bhd, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) and Medini master planner and developer Medini Iskandar Malaysia Sdn Bhd (MIM). Officiating the event, held at MIM’s first office building Medini 6, was Datuk Ismail Ibrahim, Chief Executive of Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA). The Malaysia Biennial 100YC will research models for a future, driven, vibrant, sustainable urban development bringing together visionaries, progressive international architecture schools and the world’s most recognized architects, urban planners, economists, engineers, urbanists and futurists.
The goal of the Malaysia Biennial 100YC is to showcase research on the inevitable growth of Medini, from greenfield to a nascent Central Business District (CBD) of the region that will complement Singapore. Imran Clyde, founder of the Malaysia Biennial and Executive Director for Nextdor Property Communications Sdn Bhd, also announced the appointment of Professor Tom Kovac of RMIT, as the Artistic Director (Curator) of the Malaysia Biennial, which will open to the general public in November 2017. Medini Iskandar Malaysia will be the Malaysia Biennial 100YC’s first destination partner, researching models for the vibrant and sustainable urban development of Medini, a new city of at least 350,000 people when it becomes fully developed in about 20 years.
“The Malaysia Biennial was built on the same premise as the internationally renowned Venice Biennale and Chicago Biennial. Our goal is to create a platform for city builders and managers to engage with global participants to identify potential development challenges and opportunities.” – Imran Clyde, founder of ‘Malaysia Biennial 100 YC: Medini 2017’ and Executive Director, Nextdor Property Communications Sdn. Bhd.
The research proposes both visionary urban speculation and a clear demonstration through the pragmatic and situated application of creative architectural and urban practices, focusing particularly on four key urban catalysts: mobility, technology, commerce and knowledge. Ultimately, the goal will be for these international participants to endorse the potential of Medini to be a successful Central Business District within Iskandar Puteri through the development of a qualitative design-led architectural procurement framework for the ongoing commissioning of built works in Medini. The program includes exhibitions, workshops and online collaboration modules with leading international architecture schools, enabling global connectivity and collaboration between universities and research leaders, sharing urban and architecture outcomes under the directorship of many of the world’s innovative architects.
“The project will collaborate with design researchers from around the world to investigate key challenges and propose solutions for the city of Medini. Collaboration on this scale brings the potential for innovative design solutions for the 21st century and beyond. Through an online collaboration platform, research driven creative ideas will be generated for the future of architecture & urbanism.” – Tom Kovac, Artistic Director (Curator), ‘Malaysia Biennial 100YC: Medini 2017’.
The Malaysia Biennial: 1OOYC Medini sets out to design a vision for the development of Medini Iskandar Malaysia, aiming to enrich and transform the future by envisaging the evolution of the city over the next 100 years. The events will include exhibitions, local and global workshops and online collaboration with leading international architecture schools, enabling global connectivity and collaboration between universities and research leaders, sharing urban and architecture outcomes under the directorship of many of the world’s innovative architects. Schools are invited to present research-led insights and visions, showcasing elaborate research developed through a collaborative online platform specifically developed for teaching and learning enabling further opportunities for global collaboration, discussion and project reviews.
“The master plan of Medini Iskandar Malaysia was meticulously planned and it included diverse residential, commercial and retail activities with six main focus industries being promoted: health & wellness; creative industries; leisure & tourism; education; logistics; and financial services. As Medini is poised to become the smart and connected CBD of the region, we felt that a research collaboration with Nextdor and RMIT would help us chart out a realistic view of the development by exploring the physical, virtual and the nascent spatial conditions of this future 21st century city. This blends in very well with our aspiration of making Medini the icon of future city living.” – Datuk Ir. Khairil Anwar Ahmad, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Medini Iskandar Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (MIM)
Medini Iskandar Malaysia Sdn Bhd (“MIM”) owned by Jasmine Acres Sdn Bhd (60%), United World Infrastructure (20%) and Mitsui & Co., Ltd (20%), is the master developer of the 2,230-acre urban township Medini – a developing sustainable city in Iskandar Puteri, Johor. MIM’s largest shareholder Jasmine Acres is jointly owned by Khazanah Nasional Berhad and Iskandar Investment Berhad. Established in 2007, MIM’s role has since then transformed from being a master infrastructure manager and master planner to now a developer of office buildings and township management service provider. This progressive shift is to complement the myriad of product offerings by MIM’s developer partners and to support the dynamic growth of the uniquely master planned Medini that is aspired to become the Icon of Future City Living. With incentives uniquely available to Medini, MIM welcomes investors who seek investment opportunities at a destination strategically located near Singapore. MIM works closely with the federal and state government, local authorities such as Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA), local councils, as well as key stakeholders within and surrounding Medini to establish Medini as the smart and sustainable central business district (CBD) of Iskandar Puteri. For more, visit: www.medini.com.my
RMIT is a global university of technology, design and enterprise. One of Australia’s original tertiary institutions, RMIT University enjoys an international reputation for excellence in professional and vocational education, applied research, and engagement with the needs of industry and the community. RMIT is a world leader in Art and Design; Architecture and the Built Environment; Engineering; Accounting and Finance; and Business and Management Studies.
Nextdor Property Communications, founded in 2005, is an integrated communications agency that specializes in developing long-term, cost effective and proven strategies to build successful property brands. From marketing research, public relations, design and placemaking Nextdor has used its drive for innovation on projects for renowned local and international property brands. The Malaysia Biennial was first introduced by Nextdor at the Peggy Guggenheim during the Architecture Venice Biennale 2014 and that project involved a collaboration with Think City and RMIT to look into housing needs at a sample site. For additional information, visit us at: www.nextdor.com.my
