DOTY 2025 Awards winners: Celebrating two build firms in Malaysia known for quality precision

by Aisha Capulong

Highlighting exceptional expertise in build workmanship, the inaugural Builders Achievement Award is a new class of distinction, presented to firms that have perfected the art of bringing concepts to life

First introduced at this year’s Designer of the Year (DOTY) Awards, the brand new Builders Achievement Award is a commemoration of the high artistry that is needed to actualise design ideas brought to the table by designers and architects in the industry. Without great artisans, even the best conceptualisations of space cannot be translated from paper.

Winners of the 2025 Builders Achievement Award

This year, we honour two of Malaysia’s skilled build teams with iconic projects across the country and beyond. From masterfully malleating metal ceilings to outlining intricate organic curves with luminesce, these Malaysian firms are able to realise the designs given to them and accurately produce them with acuity. Presenting — recipients of the 2025 Builders Achievement Award.

CAN.I INTERIOR FIT-OUT

THE DREAM BUILDERS

With a team of visionaries who understand every aspect of design, Can.I Interior Fit-out brings passion and skill to its every involvement. Along with its immaculate expertise, the company prides itself on its open communication — because ideas can only come to life if the makers are able to understand and carry important conversations with fellow craftsmen in the process. Can.I’s resourcefulness is thanks to its crew, who the build company regards as its greatest asset of all and where each team member is empowered to learn the ropes of leading a project from start to finish.

Fluent in the various stages of project lifecycles, Can.I provides a consistent quality of service that can be expected from the very first interaction to final product aftercare. Entering into an agreement with the company comes with the assurance that talented builders will be deftly synchronised to form an efficient workforce. Championing people is Can.I’s strong suit and secret to success, as founder Tan Goo Can considers it, and this is loudly evident in its evolution through the years.

ILMUGAYA

VITAL FABRICATORS

With a name like ‘Ilmugaya’, it is no question that style and prowess are two things deeply embedded into the award-winning company’s identity. Offering clients a wealth of knowledge from its 18 years in the market, Ilmugaya is behind large-scale projects like KL East Mall, Novotel KL and Bank Negara in Kuala Lumpur. Superior quality is a non-negotiable at Ilmugaya — it is a must, and this can be seen from its proactive approach and dedication toward projects of any size.

The build company specialises in carpentry manufacturing and has worked to create a receptive and responsive environment for its clients and business partners alike. As a result, Ilmugaya’s output is the culmination of a thorough process involving fluid collaboration and keen organisation. The company believes in creating purposeful design and proudly makes every effort to realise this core value. The cherry on top? All product components used by Ilmugaya are made locally at its very own factory.