By Ian Hall

Semai Sayang (to sow love) is a social enterprise where an animal friendly retreat, dog lodging and organic orchard will subsidise animal welfare advocacy and the use of specially trained animals for therapy and companionship.

The project will also support research and testing of sustainable buildings, infrastructure and agriculture. Partnerships with local and overseas universities and organisations are being built to design and monitor performance of elements of the project and to share what we learn.

Arkitrek is working on the design brief and masterplan for the 14 acre site near Bentong in Pahang, Malaysia. We are also coordinating a student design competition with Taylor’s University College to identify ideas and to give students an opportunity to be directly involved in the project documentation and construction.

Once the students have submitted their proposals we will select the most promising ideas and work these into the first phase of construction due to start in late 2010.

Keep an eye on this project category of the blog for more images and news in due course.