THE MUTIARA MASTERPLAN - Tapa dura

This book examines the competition submissions for a new suburban centre located on the edge of tropical Penang in Malaysia. Prestigious international firms OMA, Morphosis, Asymptote Architecture, Atelier Seraji, Gruntuch Ernst Architekten, Riken Yamamoto & Field Shop, and Michael Sorkin Studio were each paired with a local architecture practice to participate in the invitation-only competition sponsored by the Equine Group. Each masterplan demonstrates the issues associated with designing a major urban hub with adjoining residential and commercial spaces, a central urban park to take advantage of the heat and humidity, and the creation of new building typologies for the urban centre.