Steel Standing Strong | Steel Connect Symposium II 2025

NS BlueScope Malaysia’s inspiring Steel Connect Symposium II 2025 rekindles the discourse on design legacy, structural ingenuity and the enduring elegance of steel

Images courtesy of NS BlueScope Malaysia

On the morning of 24th May 2025 over at Four Points by Sheraton Puchong, BlueScope Malaysia spearheaded the return of “Steel Connect Symposium II 2025”, following its successful debut back in 2023. Falling under the Steel Connect Series which started as webinars back in 2020, this symposium is an initiative spanning two cities, commencing in Kuala Lumpur on 24 May 2025 and continuing in Kuching on 5 July 2025.

It serves as a platform for industry leaders in the building and construction sector to connect, exchange ideas and collaborate with each other in the pursuit of championing innovation and progress—each and every one united by a shared commitment to design excellence.

Adhering to the “Designing for Legacy: Steel Innovation in Modern Landmarks” theme, the event strives to set an inspiring tone for future-forward conversations, delving into how steel continues to shape landmark architecture across our Malaysian landscape and beyond. Focused on knowledge sharing, the symposium is endorsed with Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accreditation from the following professional bodies: Board of Architects Malaysia (PAM), Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) and Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia (BQSM).

Distinguished architects like Ar. Melvyn J Kanny, Principal of MJ Kanny Architect, and Ar. Razin Mahmood, Principal and Founder of Razin Architects—winners of the BlueScope Architectural Steel Awards Malaysia (BSAA MY) 2024, in fact—were brought together to explore the meaningful stories and design philosophies behind their acclaimed projects in an exclusive stage presentation:

● VanaVasa Resort / Gold Award, Commercial Category
A harmonious balance between man and nature, whereby the steel structure blends into its forested surroundings while delivering durability, elegance and minimal environmental impact.

● Masjid Daing Abdul Rahman / Gold Award, Institutional & Others Category
A modern interpretation of religious architecture, made using steel to balance traditional design elements with contemporary functionality and long-term performance.

● Dewan Konvensyen Bukit Raja / Bronze Award, Institutional & Others Category
A modular and efficient civic space that showcases steel’s versatility in supporting sustainability, adaptability and communal use.

From integrating steel for structural resilience to blending contemporary aesthetics with heritage elements, the speakers offered valuable perspectives on crafting iconic designs that will stand the test of time. Through compelling narratives, visual walkthroughs and rare behind-the-scenes insights, they revealed the driving inspirations, deliberate strategies and innovative use of steel in realising their architectural visions, all of which was soon followed by an interactive Q&A session.

On top of that, further elevating the occasion was the launch of NS BlueScope Malaysia’s latest design publication titled BlueScope Architectural Steel Awards Malaysia (BSAA MY) 2024 Award Issue. This curated coffee table documents a selection of exemplary steel projects across the region, presented through architectural drawings, essays and photography. Compact yet content-rich, it intends to serve as both a source of inspiration and a scholarly reference for the design and construction community.

Emboldened by its ongoing mission to foster bold design thinking, nurture cross-disciplinary collaboration and champion the advanced use of steel, the Steel Connect Symposium remains a guiding force for the region’s design and construction community. As always, NS BlueScope Malaysia is dedicated to continuous knowledge-sharing and idea exchange within the industry and has expressed its intention to organise more webinars and symposiums in the future that will push forward the margins of material exploration and architectural practice.

For more information, please visit

NS BlueScope Malaysia | www.nsbluescope.com/my