The first edition of the Roca One Day Design Challenge in Malaysia took place at KL Convention Centre on Saturday 6th July 2019. The competition is one of the most thrilling ones in the design sector due to its time-trial nature. With the presence in 15 countries, Roca One Day Design Challenge aims to promote and become a platform for young designers and architects all around the world to have a dip into the professional work and with renowned members of the jury. 

Roca One Day Design Challenge is driven by Roca, a global reference in bathroom products, challenging design and architecture students and young professionals under the age of 30 to create original solutions and innovative products related to the bathroom space in just one day.

With a very good reception among local students and young professionals, the new destination proved to be an edition to be taken into consideration for its quality and the involvement of contestants. The contest offers young students and professionals the experience of challenging themselves to produce and develop their most innovative ideas.

The first prize goes to Syafa Mustaffa and Aresha Suraya Roslan. The project consists of a wholesome solution that works both as a conventional basin and ergonomic baby bath tub. The basin is also sustainable as it reuses filtered rainwater and works with solar panels to heat the hand dryer and the water. All these features convinced the jury to choose this project as the winner. Syafa Mustaffa and Aresha Suraya Roslan, International Islamic University Malaysia graduates were then move to the next round. They will be flying to Spain for Roca Master Design Challenge to compete with contestants from all around the world.

Second place goes to NG Yee Lun and Saw Wai Xiang, where their idea was washbasin that at the same time cultivates a basin garden right on the countertop. Water recycled from draining water into the basin provides irrigation for two built-in plants container. The jury highlighted the sustainable sensibility of this project.

Third prize goes to Lim Joe Yi. This is a washbasin with similar functions as the water tank in the WC unit. The tank in the basin is designed to collect sufficient water for users, reducing the water waste. The jury highlighted the attractive design and materials used, as well as the function to see the water the user is about to consume.

For We are Water Foundation Prize, the winner goes to Tan Lai Zeng and Chua E-Xuan where their proposal is a basin that reacts to the levels of water usage, changing its color according to the intensity of use. The members of the jury decided on this project because of its special focus on sustainability.

The first prize winner will receive RM6,000, followed by RM4,000 for second prize and RM2,000 for third winner. In addition, the jury may award an additional prize of RM1,000 from the We Are Water Foundation to the project with a special focus on sustainability.