One Stop Collection Centre (OSCC)

One Stop Collection Centre (OSCC), Kota Samarahan, Sarawak

RKD Architects Sdn Bhd 

Architect’s Statement

The OSCC building is located in Kota Samarahan, approximately 37 minutes (25.8 km) from Kuching City Centre at an area designated as an industrial zone near the new Batang Samarahan Bridge.

The site sums up to a total area of 3.78 acres and the development area takes 2 acres of the whole site to allow for possible future developments through phases.

The approximately 1300m2 gross floor area were planned by locating areas with high frequency and logical relationships to have the spaces correspond better to one another.

Highlights and Features

The lobby features a retail gallery and a glass-separated production area. The packaging area has a high ceiling for future expansion. The facility includes a product testing lab, two flexible training rooms, a dynamic space for events, a co-working area, and a mezzanine-level office incubator space.

Project Objective

The OSCC supports local cottage industry start-ups, particularly women entrepreneurs, by promoting their products, providing business training, and enhancing product development for international markets. It aims to increase successful local entrepreneurs through networking, marketing, financial coaching, and alignment with Sarawak Digital Economy policies.

Design Approach

The design approach was to assimilate utilitarianism architecture to represent an industrial outlook. The clean-line look gives a strong and definitive contrast between the different elements of the space and it revolves around minimalism to obtain a sleek and functional design. The idea was adopted to abide to the ideals of ‘form follows function’ through simplicity, conspicuous views of structural elements and by eschewing unnecessary design details. A lot of thought was applied on choosing the right materials for the building that are not only long lasting, maintenance friendly and practical but are aesthetically pleasing.

These points elaborate on why steel was chosen as the primary building material which is not only a practical choice but also a material that aligns with the overall design philosophy of the project: -

Versatility in Design: Steel's inherent flexibility allows for a wide range of design possibilities, enabling the creation of long span structure demanded of the project brief, maintaining a sleek and minimalist aesthetic. Its adaptability supports the industrial outlook and clean-line appearance central to the design approach.

Speed of Construction: Utilizing steel as the main material significantly reduces construction time. Its prefabricated nature allows for off-site fabrication, ensuring quick assembly on-site, which is crucial for adhering to project timelines without compromising the integrity of the design.

Structural Integrity: Steel's strength and durability make it an ideal choice for achieving the desired minimalistic design while ensuring structural soundness. This material supports large spans and open spaces, aligning with the design's emphasis on conspicuous views of structural elements. 

Sustainability and Efficiency: Steel’s recyclable nature, contributing to sustainable construction practices aligns with modern principles of environmental responsibility, which is increasingly important in contemporary built environment.

Maintenance-Friendly: The choice of steel also considers the long-term maintenance of the building. Steel's resistance to corrosion and wear, coupled with its ease of maintenance, ensures the building remains aesthetically pleasing and functional over time.

Aesthetic Appeal: The sleek and polished appearance of steel in this case enhances the building's industrial aesthetic. Its use in visible structural elements reinforces the ‘form follows function’ philosophy, creating a visually striking yet functional design.

These points elaborate on why steel is not only a practical choice but also a material that aligns with the overall design philosophy of the project.

The seamless roof and façade structure of double volume space adds an extravagant vibe to an otherwise mundane building typology and the height allows the flexibility for additional floors in the future. To accentuate the building, the design integrated primary colours for an interesting unembellished look. The minimal use of red and yellow is the bold side to the generally subdued look of simplicity.

As the project was constructed at the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Project Implementing Agency; JKR Sarawak had requested that contactless & social distancing features be included such as automated sliding doors, biometric access system and facilities for video conferencing and other features to facilitate the new-normal work environment.