Speaker

Dato' Kamal Ariffin Bin Zaharin

Dato' Kamal Ariffin Zaharin studied Architecture and Town and Suburb Planning at the University of Miami, Florida and later joined Duany Plater-Zyberk and Company, who are internationally renowned as founders of the New Urbanism movement. There he worked on numerous building and city designs across the globe. Among the firm's work is the town of Seaside in Florida and Kentlands in Maryland which were named the “Best of the Decade” and “Best of the Year” by Time magazine. Kamal co-produced the planning chapter for the American Institute of Architects' publication “AIA Architectural Graphics Standards”, a major reference for the profession. His work was also published in the book “Towns & Town-Making Principles” produced by Harvard University and Rizzolli. During the same period in the US, Kamal worked with the two time Aga Khan Award recipient Professor Abdel Wahed El-Wakil, a foremost authority in Islamic architecture. With El-Wakil, Kamal worked on the designs of various institutions and palaces, including the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies in UK under the patronage of HRH the Prince of Wales. The intricate woodwork produced in Malaysia for the centre received a European Award of Excellence. After Sydney and Manila, Kamal based his practice in Malaysia to service the growing needs of Asia, Middle East and Australasia. Since 2003, his team won 7 international design competitions in China. Locally his work include Master Plan of Teluk Datai in Langkawi, Malaysia's East Coast Regional Plan, Kuala Terengganu Waterfront, Perlis Economic Strategy Plan, and the Klang River Redevelopment Plan in Selangor. In 2010, the ruler of Perak, and the ninth king of Malaysia, Sultan Azlan Shah awarded Kamal with the title Dato' Paduka Mahkota Perak. To date, his work spans over 25 countries.