Mayor of London call comes after architect unveils plan for ‘Malaysia Square’ at Battersea Power Station

Countryfocus

Source: Alamy

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson has urged UK architects and engineering companies to launch offices in Malaysia.

The Mayor of London issued his call for UK firms to take advantage of new rules to liberalise the Malaysian architecture and engineering sectors, following a meeting with the south-east Asian country’s prime minister Dato’ Sri Mohammad Najib Abdul Razak.

Johnson was meeting Mr Abdul Razak on the final leg of a trade mission to the Far East, after which the two unveiled New York and Copenhagen based practice Bjarke Ingels Group was the chosen architect for the new square that will be the public realm centrepiece of the Malaysian-backed Battersea power station redevelopment.

The design of the two level Malaysia Square, which will be connected by integrated bridges and stairways, has been inspired by Malaysia’s landscape and geology, the architect said. The square’s central amphitheatre features a fountain in the shape of Malaysia’s national flower, the hibiscus.

The square will link the southern entrance of the restored Grade II* listed Battersea Power Station and the top of the new Electric Boulevard high street that will connect the Malaysian backed development with Battersea Park Road.

Johnson said: “This fast developing nation is awash with new and exciting trade and investment opportunities crying out for London’s great minds and expertise.

“From great new feats of transport engineering to cutting edge design and architectural projects, I urge more British companies to get involved. It is exciting opportunities like these, in a place eager to benefit from our long experience as a world leading city, that are driving jobs and growth for Londoners.”

The next step in the regeneration of Battersea station will be to secure funding for an extension to the Northern Line, which includes negotiating a £480m loan from the European Investment Bank.