The Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival (KLAF), organised by Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM), debuts its KLAF2019 preview with two (2) exciting and engaging international competitions opened to the public, being "First Colony on Mars", and "Tropical House For Orang Asli".

Themed TOMORROW, KLAF 2019 seeks the best design and architectural solution for the first human colony on Mars through "First Colony on Mars: International Ideas Competition", that blends innovation and self-sustainability towards thriving growth. The idea of a human colony on a planet far away from Earth has been a recurring theme of science fiction in writing and film. First Colony on Mars extends the theme into architecture and design of the physical manifestations of the colony, enabling architects, designers and just about anyone to dream about how life in a colony away from Earth could or should be like. Registration for participation is open from NOW with submissions for queries entertained throughout 7th to 20th February 2019, and 27th February 2019 being the last day to register.

Entry submissions will be accepted until 26th April 2019, and the announcement of the winner will take place in June 2019 in time for KLAF2019's official festival dates. The Runner-up will take home USD2,000 + Certificate, Second Prize receives USD5,000 + Certificate, and the Winner will take home USD10,000 + Certificate.

Closer to home, yet still focusing on the TOMORROW theme, KLAF2019 is also opening participation for The International Design Competition: Tropical House for Orang Asli, to the general public. In collaboration with EPIC Society, the Design Competition seeks to uncover the best architectural design solution for a house that reflects the ambition of Epic Homes to provide Basic Tropical Shelter for the Orang Asli community in Malaysia, based on two different scenarios: 'Rural Housing' and 'Semi-Urban Housing'. Through their Epic Homes movement, EPIC seeks to build relationships between the urban and rural divide through the activity of building homes for underprivileged communities, leading to the development of cooperative, resilient and sustainable communities.

Registration for participation is open from NOW with submissions for queries entertained throughout 7th to 20th February 2019, and 27th February 2019 being the last day to register. Entry submissions will be accepted until 24th April 2019, and the announcement of the winner will take place in June 2019 in time for KLAF2019's official festival dates. Five participants will take home Third Prize which consists of Honorary Mention, RM1,000 + Certificate, Second Prize receives RM5,000 + Certificate, and the Winner will take home RM10,000 + Certificate, for each scenario.

KLAF2019 Director Ar. Dr. Tan Loke Mun: "We certainly hope that both competitions will empower our community to be more innovative, explore their creative thinking for the future and at the same time play a definitive role in contributing to the sustainability of our communities. We would be honoured and thrilled if everyone could block the 21st June to 7th July 2019 in their calendars, and join us to experience KLAF2019: TOMORROW for themselves!"

Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival (KLAF2019) will be held from 21st June 2019 - 7th July 2019. For more information regarding the competitions, please visit https://www.klaf.my/competition/mars/ and https://www.klaf.my/competition/tropicalhouse/