ASEAN Award-Winning Architects Boost Collaboration

Winners of the inaugural BlueScope Steel Architectural Awards ASEAN 2024 from five leading firms across the ASEAN region were given a special opportunity to embark on a professional visit to Australia. This initiative serves as an appreciation for their innovation in steel architectural design, while providing a platform to broaden their perspectives and exchange creative ideas.

This prestigious award is organized by NS BlueScope in collaboration with several prominent architectural institutions in Southeast Asia, including the Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage (ASA), Ikatan Arsitek Indonesia (IAI), University of Architecture Ho Chi Minh City (UAH), ACG Media Group Malaysia, and AustCham Singapore.

During the visit, the delegates from renowned firms in ASEAN toured some of Australia’s finest modern steel projects. These included Darling Quarter and the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney, as well as Kangaroo Point Bridge, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, and the UQ Sustainability Walk at the University of Queensland in Brisbane. Many of these projects utilized BlueScope’s high-performance steel products, such as COLORBOND® steel and XLERPLATE® steel, recognized for their durability, versatility, and exceptional aesthetic value — supporting the creation of bold and inspiring architectural works. The group was also welcomed by the award-winning architectural studios behind these projects: fjcstudio in Sydney and Cox Architecture in Brisbane.

Richard Coulson, Chair of the Board at Cox Architecture and one of the judges for the BlueScope Steel Architectural Awards ASEAN 2024, noted that the program was a great opportunity to showcase Australian design and share valuable experiences with distinguished architectural professionals from ASEAN.

"It’s a pleasure to welcome the ASEAN delegates and introduce them to the latest design processes and steel solutions applied here in Australia. The exchange of ideas and design philosophies throughout our discussions was both stimulating and enriching.”

In addition to the project visits, the delegates also participated in the Australian Architecture Conference 2025 held at the Sydney Opera House. The conference brought together Australia’s architectural community alongside international participants, featuring discussions on AI in architecture, decarbonized design, high-rise buildings, and visions for future urban developments.

Ar. Melvyn J Kanny, Principal of MJ Kanny Architect Malaysia, who joined the trip, expressed that this initiative could become a meaningful starting point to build stronger connections between design firms across ASEAN.

"This visit offered an outstanding opportunity to learn directly from the Australian and global architecture community, while also sharing perspectives on remarkable projects from the ASEAN region. The 'Circle of Excellence in Steel Architectural Design' initiative will continue to grow each year, becoming a solid platform for cross-border design communities to support one another and enrich the steel architecture industry.”

The delegates participating in this visit included:

• Arkiskape Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia)
• MJ Kanny Architect (Malaysia)
• Razin Architects Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia)
• Ar. Naksit Wisetmora (Thailand)
• Studio Sifah (Thailand)