Winning design breathes new life into Pasar Besar

Ar. Tan Bee Eu and her team at BETA Architects have secured the top spot in the “Idea Konsep Reka Bentuk” competition, aimed at revitalizing the historic Pasar Besar Ipoh. The design competition, organised by the Ipoh City Council (MBI) in conjunction with the city’s 37th anniversary on May 27, 2025, saw Ar. Tan’s proposal, titled “Breathe, Harness, and Activate,” emerge as the winning concept. The first-place award carries a RM30,000 prize and marks a key milestone in efforts to rethink public markets as inclusive and vibrant civic spaces.

The concept champions the idea of creating a breathable, human-scaled space where natural ventilation, accessibility, and community interaction are central. Moving away from sterile and enclosed commercial environments, the design aims to restore the traditional role of the market as a family-oriented hub—a place for intergenerational gathering, fresh local produce, and spontaneous social connection. BETA Architects’ intensive site analysis revealed opportunities to improve climate responsiveness, cultural resonance, and social inclusivity, while ensuring that the market remains a vital part of daily life in Ipoh.

Reviving heritage

Ar. Tan’s latest win is a continuation of her dedication to people-first, environmentally conscious architecture. Born in Penang, she honed her craft in regional hubs like Singapore and Kuala Lumpur before returning home to establish BETA Architects in 2015. Since then, her practice has become a respected name in adaptive reuse and heritage-focused design, having received several PAM Awards for projects such as the Penang Digital Library and the Harmony Centre—both lauded for breathing new life into underutilised spaces.

Her architectural ethos centers on humility, sustainability, and the belief that design should serve—not overshadow—communities. This philosophy has guided BETA’s rise as one of Malaysia’s most thoughtful and innovative firms, pushing boundaries in how public spaces are conceived, experienced, and preserved.

Strengthening design standards

The timing of Ar. Tan’s victory dovetails with a significant policy announcement from the federal level. During the Malaysian Architecture Week (MAW) 2025, Local Government Development Minister YB Tuan Nga Kor Ming declared that all pasar malam and public market redevelopment projects exceeding RM10 million must now be procured via open tender. Furthermore, designs will be assessed by Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia (PAM), ensuring a more transparent and professional approach to shaping Malaysia’s public realm.

This policy shift underscores the need for creative, accountable, and community-rooted architectural solutions—principles exemplified in Ar. Tan’s award-winning design. As the nation looks to elevate the quality and integrity of its public infrastructure, initiatives like this open tender mandate promise to attract higher standards and greater public trust in how communal spaces are redeveloped.

Inspiring the next generation of architects

Further cementing her influence in the design world, Ar. Tan also took the stage as a featured speaker at MAW 2025 on May 23, held at Toffee KL. In her talk, she reflected on her career journey, her commitment to architecture guided by empathy, and her ongoing efforts to build a culture of meaningful public engagement around design. As a lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia and a founding member of PechaKucha Penang, she continues to shape the minds of future architects while fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue.

With her win at Pasar Besar Ipoh and her growing national presence, Ar. Tan Bee Eu is helping to chart a new course for Malaysian architecture—one rooted in community, sustainability, and a deep respect for place. Her work is not just shaping buildings, but reshaping how we think about the spaces we share.