Dato’ John Lau Kah Sieng
KUCHING: Sarawak’s first architect Dato’ John Lau Kah Sieng will be conferred with Pegawai Negeri Bintang Sarawak which carries the title ‘Dato Sri’ today.
He will receive the award in an investiture ceremony in conjunction with Head of State Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin’s 91st birthday celebration in Miri today.
A press statement issued here said the award is indeed a fitting award for a man who has contributed 39 years of his life in enriching architecture in Sarawak.
A brief biodata provided with the statement mentioned that Lau completed his Chinese Senior High School education at Catholic High School, Sibu in 1965.
He went on to study Architecture at the University of Melbourne graduating in 1973. After a short stint in Public Works Department (JKR), he established Kumpulan Design (KD) in Sibu in 1977 where he worked tirelessly to build his architectural practice.
The hard work paid off, with a win in the Sesco Headquarters competition in 1979. This iconic building marked one of many architectural awards for KD as well as a life-changing move to Kuching in 1980.
Lau was elected by his peers as chairman of Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia (PAM) Sarawak Chapter from 1985-1987. During his tenure as chairman, he arranged many activities to promote public awareness of the architectural profession.
The KL Golden Triangle Master Plan competition 1985 was the year KD would win Joint Second Prize.
This resulted in a new office in KL in 1986 and the registration of Arkitek KDI Sdn Bhd (Kumpulan Design International) to reflect the international status of the company.
In 2006, he was invited by a Malaysian client to do a job in Abu Dhabi, UAE where he set up a branch office that same year.
Currently the firm has 95 staff spread over four offices in Sibu, Kuching, Kuala Lumpur and Abu Dhabi.
Lau has undertaken projects in Africa, Hong Kong, china, United Arab Emirates, Singapore and most parts of Malaysia.
With over 39 years in Architectural Practice, Kumpulan Design/Arkitek KDI Sdn Bhd has been the training ground for numerous Sarawak architects.
Under the leadership of Lau the firm has won numerous architectural awards. This included First Prize – Bau Civic Centre- Malaysian Institute of Architects – Institution Building Category; First Prize – Bintulu Civic Centre; Second Prize – International Competition for Al Raha Beach Hotel, Abu Dhabi; First Prize – Rimbunan Hijau (RH) HQ in Sibu and First Prize – OSK Financial Centre KL (in collaboration with Alan Kueh),
The highlight of his practice is winning the Prestigious International Award MIPCM Asia Awards 2010 – Best Business Centre for Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).