Trade wars generally do not result in winners and with investors reluctant to invest, construction activities in Malaysia may be at risk of becoming collateral damage. Concurrently, with declining oil prices and Covid-19 resulting in a pandemic, the economy looks gloomy but not insurmountable...

A research from industry experts has reported total deals for global construction and real estate
industry is worth US$9.5 billion for December 2019. The value marked a decrease of 49.4% over
the previous month and a drop of 40.7% when compared with the last 12-month average of US$16.6 billion.

As we move further into year 2020, we are still plagued with all the lows from
the previous year. This has spurred many industry players into action by looking
at alternative options to improve the way they do business. Most recently, it has
been highlighted that the construction industry is increasingly exploring the use
of robots to speed up work and alleviate skills shortages – but where could this
lead?...

The latest statistics showed that Malaysia has
a population of more than 32 million, of which
two-thirds are living in the urban areas and major
cities. The numbers are increasing every day and
all of whom need affordable housing as well as
social, transportation and utility infrastructure....

The REHDA Property Industry Survey 1H 2019
recorded a reduction in the number of project
launches as well as respondents. Although
there was a spike in 15% sales, the sentiments
towards the property industry for the next 10
months remained mostly neutral....

For industry professionals – property developers,
architects, engineers and even contractors –
‘building’ isn’t just about adding a new block in
the already congested concrete jungle; it’s the
whole package....

It has been a busy time for Malaysia’s building and
construction industry. Despite an early forecast of
slower growth, some new developments continue
across the country. It has been all hands on deck
as the supply chain worked tirelessly formulating
initiatives to stimulate sales and decrease the
supply overhang.
The industry hit the headlines when the Malaysian government launched
FundMyHome.com, the country’s first private sector-driven property crowdfunding
platform.
Presently, Malaysia has two crowdfunding platforms, Equity Crowdfunding
(ECF) and Peer-to-Peer (P2P) financing framework in the capital market for micro,
small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to raise funds. As at December 2018, a total
of RM261.52 million has been raised by issuers via both market-based financing
avenues. .....

Insulation is a significant aspect of any modern
building. While the majority of insulation in
buildings is to provide resistance to heat flow,
the term also applies to sound insulation, fire
insulation and impact insulation etc – all of
which are highlighted in various sections of
the magazine for your further reading....

Goodbye 2018, Hello 2019! Change is
inevitable – but exactly what lies ahead? Many
industry professionals and consumers alike
are curious as to what to expect with the new
calendar year.
In 2018, the country underwent massive changes that foretold shortcomings
we will face this year i.e. the building industry is expected to record slower growth
amid revisions of mega projects and the slowdown in construction, as well as the
rising cost of living in line with the country’s Budget 2019 that will further dampens
consumer spending......

“As one chapter closes, another begins” – Like
the saying goes, as we approach the end of
2018, key players of the construction industry
are gearing up for the new year by putting into
motion their respective projects and agendas
that would reshape the landscape of Malaysia.....

Time sees the evolution of man – the way we think, talk and act – that influences the development of our surroundings.
    A testament to the fact is the evolution of the building industry that continuously changes the city skyline today, as more structures of various architecture, shapes and sizes mushrooming across the country
and beyond...

In the last couple of months, we see progress everywhere. Malaysia now moves forward under the guidance of a new government, various shakers and movers across the industries appearing in the news with their latest innovations and services, and we ourselves race against time to accomplish our objectives-of-the-day...

INFORMATION IS KNOWLEDGE;
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, the key that opens
doors of opportunities for one to explore,
experience and gain new insights in
pursuing success......

Be it residential, commercial or an aquatic centre, architects around the world take pride in their creations of awe-inspiring architecture that we see today....

Farewell 2017, Hello 2018. We welcome
the New Year by taking a look at the latest
technological trends in the Construction
industry. The most defining advancement
is the utilisation of Virtual Reality and
Holographic headsets, where architects
and engineers can now inhabit the 3D
modelling of their structures. Isn’t it
fascinating? May 2018 bring us even more
innovation.....

Knowledge… What a boundless treasure that
inspires us and elevates our lives. In an everevolving
world – especially in a competitive
building industry like ours – new technology
and fresh methodological approaches to
development are constantly unveiled. In order
to improve, we embark on this journey of
continuous learning......

The 40th Annual General Meeting of the Building Materials Distributors Association of Malaysia (BMDAM) convened on 27th July at its premises with incumbent President, Yang Kian Lock (of Sudut Swasta Sdn Bhd) in the chair....

In this architectural edition, we highlight the Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival 2017 (KLAF 2017) – one of the main events in conjunction with ARCHIDEX 17 in Malaysia. This two months festival is one of the platform “To promote the advancement of architecture and the architectural profession for the betterment of society”. What powers Architecture will be the theme for this year....

The theme for this issue is wood – an integral part of the building and construction industry and the economy at large. While the construction
industry, underpinned by a slew of government infrastructure projects, has been given a buoyant forecast this year, the timber industry, which has
been experiencing slow growth in the past three years, is being urged to achieve higher exports....

The call to go green has never been louder, especially in Asia in the last few years when economic, social, cost as well as health benefits of greening buildings were acutely recognised. It stands to reason. In this time of rapid population growth and urbanisation especially in emerging and developing economies, the built environment can catalyst many challenges including climate change, land-use, demographic shifts, water and other resource scarcities....

Welcome to our first edition for 2017. While last year was tough for most economic regions, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region recorded positive economic growth of 4.7 per cent. Despite the recent protectionist policies which resulted in the U.S. pull-out from the 12-country Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the ASEAN economy is expected
to be cautiously optimistic in 2017...

The adage “when the going gets tough, the tough gets going,” aptly applies to property developers these days. While the market is soft, banks are stricter with loans and purchasers are hesitating, the bigger developers are using the lull period to re-organise, re-define their focus and to come out with even more attractive product offerings. The big players in both Malaysia and Singapore continue to be resilient...

While Brexit – Britain’s pull-out from EU – may have shaken financial markets across the globe, initial worries in the Asian region may havebeen an over-reaction. Moving into the second half of 2016, fresh data indicates
that several countries are picking up the pace, particularly the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia, in that order, are also expected to be the top performers in 2016, with expansion rates of 7 percent and higher...

SET IN the popular Batu Ferring area, the new Double tree Resort by Hilton Penang will be ready to welcome guests this year. Situated in the hot spot area for the locals and tourists alike......

Analysts are adjusting downwards their growth forecast for 2016 as the oil and gas sector continues to struggle while China demand weakens. Sectors like manufacturing, finance and insurance does not look optimistic. However, analysts mostly agree that the construction sector will continue to expand. Infrastructural construction projects as well as real estate developments are still going on in the Asian region...

This issue marks our entry into the year 2016 which promises to be ‘challenging’. World Bank has announced that weak growth inemerging markets will weigh on global performance. For us in publishing,
work goes on as we try to bring you more industry news from around the region, if not the world.

Asia is still a dynamic powerhouse generating work for architects and builders from around the globe. Some of the world’s tallest buildings are already in this part of the region, Shanghai Tower (pg 10) being one of them. Also in this issue, we feature the University College of Technology Sarawak (pg 6),
Borneo Convention Centre (pg 12) and Paramount Utropolis, Selangor (pg 14). In our Special Feature section, we talked to AHI Roofing to get a better understanding of their Decra stone-coated metal roof times (pg 18); while WTW gave us their views on the likely scenario for the property market in
2016 (pg 22).

Not all sectors are slowing down as we found out—the mining machinery suppliers are optimistic about the future (pg 24). In our News & Events section, we bring you a round-up on the happenings within the industry, including a highlight of an architect’s concept on eco-design (pg 26).

In our Design Feature section, we showcase a casino in Canada that underwent an invigorating makeover (pg 56); an apartment in London that used to be a car showroom (pg 58); a re-designed Greek-Mediterranean restaurant in Montreal (pg 60); an old country house converted into a modern
living space (pg 62); and an apartment in Lebanon that exudes luxury (pg 64).

Meanwhile, if you have suggestions to offer, projects to highlight or events that you would like us to cover, please drop us a note.

Happy reading!

ERIC TAN, Editor

This edition marks our last for the year 2015 and we look forward to another great year ahead. Looking back, we saw some slowdown mainly caused by a decrease in demand from China and other Asian countries while private consumption was sluggish. Economic growth is expected to recover mildly in 2016 and we hope that activities across the various sectors
will improve soon…

The internet is creating a level-playing field for publishers both big and small. We are finding an increasing number ofreaders going to our website to view or dowload our digital edition. We know that the internet is an eective digital newsstand and with this platform, our
magazine can reach out to a wider audience across the globe. If you wish to
keep updated with industry news and information but cannot get hold of our
print edition, do visit our website to download our digital version.
is latest issue of our magazine is special as we count down to the World
Architecture Festival (WAF) and we are dedicating a special section to the
event. We are proud to be associated with the prestigious global event as one of
the media partners and a limited number of our magazine will be distributed
during the three-day event in Singapore.
Incidentally, one of our supporters and advertisers, AkzoNobel, is also the
title sponsor for WAF and we are fortunate to have had the opportunity to catch
up with Jeremy Rowe (p20), AkzoNobel Decorative Paints’ managing director.
In this issue, we also present you with AkzoNobel’s recommended colours
for 2016 (p19), which they call ColourFutures and this might be of interest
to architects, designers and even consumers who need to choose colours for
their interiors.
Also in this issue we bring you highlights on several interesting projects
like the award-winning D’Twist (p6), a new township in the making called De
Centrum City (p10), and Alice Smith School (p14) which won an architectural
award recently.
In our Design Feature section, we bring you architectural and design ideas
from around the world like Cedrus Residence (p62), Espace eatre (p64),
Saul-Bellow Library (p66), NOIR Centre (p68) and Issadesign’s new oce
(p70) in downtown Montréal, Canada.
Meanwhile, if you have suggestions to oer or events that you would like
us to cover, please drop us a note.

The economic outlook for the Asia region is stable and robust, with growth expected to hold steady at 5.6 per cent in 2015, according to IMF. Despite slowdown in overall growth, especially for China, and the weakening of Asian currencies against the US dollar, Asia remains a growth leader. Global businesses and event organisers are continuing to make their presence in Asia and a good example is the upcoming World Architecture Festival, to be held on November 4 at Marina Bay Sands Singapore….

A recent JLL Report (Jones Lang LaSalle) noted that “urbanisation”, a growing
middle class and the imminent integrationof the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) will continue to drive investment in the region’s property markets. Indeed, signs of growth can be seen across the region. e Philippines has been enjoying strong economic growth together
with a stable currency and one of its largest developers, Ayala Land, is starting to
make itself better known outside its homeland. We feature one of its properties,
East Gallery Place (pg 14), this issue and you will be hearing more about them
in the coming issues. Vietnam has nally announced the easing of rules for
foreigners investing in the country and this will create some excitement for
those waiting on the sideline for years. Elsewhere, Myanmar is getting more
attention from investors. In Malaysia, the market may not be performing at
its best but developers we spoke to, are condent that units will still sell if the
asking prices are not too high. For this issue, we attended the groundbreaking
event for UMCity Medini Lakeside (pg 32) in Johor, Malaysia; and the launch
of Trinity Aquata (pg 12) in Kuala Lumpur. Other projects highlighted include:
IOI City Mall Putrajaya (pg 6) and the luxurious Star Residences (pg 10) in
downtown Kuala Lumpur.

EDITOR’SNOTE www.b-i.biz As our magazine grows to become more of a regional publication, we will be bringing you even more news from around the region and beyond. e biggest change in Malaysia was the implementation of Goods and Services Tax on 1 April 2015 which impacted on property prices, raising costs by up to 2.6 per cent. As an oil-exporter, it is likely to see slower growth due to low oil prices and GST dampening private consumption.
       Singapore will continue to see property prices falling due to government
cooling measures while both Indonesia and Philippines are expected to show
strong growth even as China slows its pace to 6.7 per cent growth (World
Bank). Overall, growth outlook for the region is expected to hover at 6.4 per
cent for 2015 (Asian Development Bank).
   As we approach the second quarter of 2015, we will continue to work even
harder to ensure that our magazine reaches a wider audience as we explore
the various distribution channels for the electronic version of our magazine
– more on these will be announced in later issues.
     Meanwhile in this issue, we highlight projects like the futuristic development
called Harbour City in the historic city of Melaka (front cover feature);
Sherwood Kinrara South residential project in Selangor; Epic Suites also in
Selangor; and developer SP Setia’s new corporate headquarters in Shah Alam.
      In our features section, we report on Malaysian Timber Industry Board’s
initiative to promote Malaysian-designed furniture; and market reports from
some of the expert analysts like WTW and REHDA. Elsewhere in the magazine,
we bring you a roundup on market news and updates on products and
services while in the Design Feature section, you can read about some of the
exciting designs from US and Canada.
     If you have suggestions to oer or events that you would like us to cover,
please feel free to drop us a note.

March - April 2020

January - February 2020

November - December 2019

September - October 2019

July - August 2019

May - June 2019

March - April 2019

January - February 2019

November - December 2018

September - October 2018

July - August 2018

May - June 2018

March - April 2018

January - February 2018

November - December 2017

September - October 2017

BUILDING & INVESTMENT (B & I) MAGAZINE is a bi-monthly publication that keeps you in touch with various aspects of the building & construction industry in Malaysia such as the latest in building materials, green technology, projects, services, etc.

With a readership of not less than 100,000 from various sectors of the building & construction industry, our 23-year-old publication is endorsed / supported by CIDB, BMDAM, PAM, MIID, MGBC and ARCASIA. Welcome to www.b-i.biz.

OUR MISSION: To progressively upgrade our editorial and circulation for the benefit of the industry in terms of market intelligence and business opportunities.

OUR VISION: To be the premier building and construction publication in Malaysia and South East Asia with the ultimate objective as a global publication online.

B & I Magazine is Malaysia’s leading building publication. With the winning combination of advertising mileage, business leads & market intelligence, we have a growing reputation as the ultimate media for the industry.

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