In the context of mass housing design, blending in with the existing surroundings can be seen as a safer approach. The concept behind this innovative housing project is to break away from the traditional norms of mass housing design and create a distinctive environment that offers residents a fresh and modern perspective. This departure from convention is achieved through several key design elements and features.
Firstly, the design intentionally contrasts with the existing surroundings to create a unique aesthetic that stands out visually by embracing individuality and modernity. The choice of a recessed wall design and a front patch of greenery not only adds visual appeal but also serves as a statement of uniqueness. The contrast creates a striking visual impact that immediately distinguishes the residences from their surroundings, offering residents a sense of identity and pride in their living spaces.
The functional aspects of the design are carefully considered to enhance comfort and promote sustainable living. The open-plan layout is not just about aesthetics but also about practicality. It facilitates natural cross-ventilation, reducing the reliance on mechanical cooling systems and promoting a healthier indoor environment. The tall ceilings play a crucial role in stack ventilation, allowing hot air to rise and escape while drawing in cooler air from lower levels, thus improving overall air circulation and quality.
The placement of a ventilation block on the facade is a smart design choice that serves multiple purposes. It acts as a filter for east and west sunlight, preventing harsh glare and heat buildup inside the homes. Simultaneously, it optimizes cross ventilation, especially on the first floor, where airflow can sometimes be restricted. This strategic approach to ventilation not only enhances comfort but also contributes to energy efficiency by reducing the need for artificial cooling and lighting during the day.
One of the project's main features is the deliberate avoidance of mirrored-repetition design. Each unit is crafted to appear as an individual dwelling, akin to a townhouse or super-link home. This design philosophy adds character and a sense of exclusivity to the development. The high ceilings and abundant natural lighting create an ambiance of luxury and spaciousness, elevating the living experience for residents. The double-volume spaces adjacent to the stairways further enhance this luxurious feel, offering residents a visually stunning and comfortable home environment.
The high ceilings not only contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal but also provide practical benefits. They offer residents the unique opportunity for expansion by creating an attic floor above. This flexibility allows residents to customize and adapt their living spaces over time, catering to changing needs and preferences. It also adds long-term value to the properties, as they can evolve along with the residents' lifestyles.
Internally, each bedroom is thoughtfully designed with an attached bathroom, enhancing convenience and privacy for residents. This attention to detail reflects the project's commitment to providing a comfortable and functional living environment. The combination of aesthetic appeal, functionality, and convenience ensures that residents not only enjoy the visual aspects of their homes but also appreciate the practicality and ease of everyday living.
Despite its focus on modernity and luxury, the project also prioritizes affordability and sustainability. The design choices, such as the emphasis on natural ventilation and lighting, contribute to reduced energy consumption and lower utility costs for residents. This holistic approach to design ensures that the homes are not only visually appealing but also environmentally conscious and economically viable in the long run.
In a world where conformity often takes precedence, this innovative housing development goes beyond mere aesthetics to prioritize functionality, sustainability, flexibility, and convenience. By daring to be different and embracing contrasting elements, it offers residents a unique and modern living experience that combines individuality with practicality. From the strategic use of ventilation and lighting to the emphasis on luxury and expansion opportunities, every aspect of the design is carefully crafted to enhance the quality of life for residents while also setting a new standard for modern housing design.
Mapletree Logistics Hub
Encompassing two blocks of multi-tenanted logistics and warehousing facilities, the Mapletree Logistics Hub, located in Shah Alam, stands as a modern hub for warehousing and distribution businesses. The facility is designed with sustainability and functionality at its core.
The use of metal roofing and cladding in the overall design is a deliberate choice to enhance both performance and sustainability. COLORBOND® steel, specifically chosen for its long lifespan and proven weathering performance, ensures that the warehouse can withstand harsh industrial environments while maintaining its integrity for decades. This durability aligns with the facility’s purpose of providing long-term service without frequent maintenance or replacement.
To optimize the building's thermal efficiency and promote a comfortable working environment, ventilation openings are thoughtfully placed throughout the façade, ensuring optimal airflow. This strategic placement not only improves air quality within the warehouse but also contributes to reducing the overall energy consumption for cooling.
In line with the company’s sustainability initiatives, the roof is equipped with photovoltaic panels that harness abundant renewable energy. This integration of renewable energy sources significantly reduces the carbon footprint of the facility, showcasing a commitment to environmental stewardship
The design of the roof is intentionally kept low in pitch to maximize the available interior space, optimizing it for warehousing functionality. This low-pitch design not only enhances the structural efficiency but also provides ample space for storage and logistics operations.
Mapletree Logistics Hub is a testament to the seamless blend of modern industrial design, sustainable practices, and functional efficiency, setting a benchmark for future developments in the logistics and warehousing sector.
UNISEM Semiconductor Production Facility
Tropical Climate Adaptation
The design strategically addresses the challenges of Malaysia's tropical climate, applying passive design principles to both the office and factory blocks. Large overhangs, sun shading devices, and carefully placed fenestrations are incorporated to minimize solar heat gain, while maximizing natural ventilation. These elements are thoughtfully integrated to enhance indoor comfort and contribute to a pleasant microclimate around the facility.
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
A key focus of the design is energy efficiency, with the roof system engineered for compatibility with solar panels. By selecting a light-colored roofing material with a high Solar Reflectance Index (SRI), the building significantly reduces heat absorption, thus lowering cooling demands. This approach not only minimizes energy consumption but also contributes to the building's overall sustainability goals.
Worker Welfare and Indoor Comfort
Understanding the common challenges of working in industrial production facilities, the design prioritizes worker welfare. The roofing system is optimized for indoor comfort, ensuring that the workspaces remain cool and comfortable despite the external climate. By creating a more humane and pleasant environment, the design aims to boost productivity and morale among employees, making the facility a better place to work.
This holistic approach to design ensures that Unisem’s new Gopeng facility is not only a leader in semiconductor production but also a model of sustainable and worker-friendly industrial architecture.
Starbucks, Iconic Point
A Place Making in Progress
Iconic Point is located in the rapidly urbanizing Simpang Empat. Simpang Empat cries for a sustainable destination place where public, commercial and cultural activities would thrive, evolve and prosper. In Iconic Point, public and pedestrian space take the center stage and forms the center of gravity while the buildings orbit this public space. Over time, public activities would take form and structure, meandering the built structures and not merely confined within. Evolving over time and space, this public-building interaction would create a series of acts and plays that would eventually be the place identity of Iconic Point. The process of Place Making thus starts with the architecture of Iconic Point.
Starbucks Iconic Point is an integral part of this place making progress. Its architecture is a landmark within a landmark. The vision of its sculptural form and aesthetics is realised with the use of metal cladding that is easily formable into angles, bends and curves. In this case Bluescope Colorbond Matt Steel, (specifically Lysaght 360 Seam and Lysaght Spandek Optima) provided the perfect solution to realise this vision. The Lysaght cladded surfaces of the building is perceivable to be rising fluidly from the shadows on the ground. It reminisces on the scene of how the indestructible T-1000* shape-shifting liquid metal that is endlessly fusing and coagulating into forms. This is the inherent quality of Lysaght metal cladding, which allows for visions and ideas to coagulate into infinite shapes and forms.
*The robot from Teminator 2 made of liquid metal.
IJM Bayouri, a 70 acre township in a 70 acres of free hold housing that will a new icon for Jawi. Given an icon name as Jewel of Jawi, this new Sales Gallery with the approximately built-up around 8,500 sq.ft. has become a new ‘figura’ in between on of the busiest road of Jalan Nibong Tebal. The gallery with the define contemporary with steels, sleek polished surfaces & clean angular lines makes it recognizable aesthetic. Clients brief was simple, to create a building that can be huge, iconic, functional, clean & simple by considering the most fastest and easiest to be built in a very short time frame. Yes, it was completed in 4 months in total.
A solid steel color using Colourbond@Steel that gives the major impact that creates a very fine and detail to the roof structure that are the major structure that the Clients intended to show-off. We believe that the outstanding building envelope will definitely creates a huge impact to the building itself without any further façade treatment. Not only that, the standing seam roofing design that wrap around the corner of the roof makes it more balance and proportion to the whole scale of the building. The gallery has been Green RE Silver certified that are also the main criteria of the building.
Our design’s choice are more to built form, material, tradition, crafts and to take into account its concerns for the natural environment and sustainability. The geology, landscape, weather and climate are also evaluated and incorporated into the development of the design, resulting in a more efficient and flexible blueprint. By taking the advantage of the site that can combined the offering of a unique business distric, a retails and lifestyle centre, comprehensive facilities and amenities within a very convenient access from one of the most scenic Penang's 2nd bridge.
Design Excellence
AV3 House sought its name after the first three letters of the client’s family members. The client reached out to us back in 2017 with a vision of his family home. Upon first look, the trapezoid-like formation of the site immediately presented itself to us as an opportunity rather than a setback. The idea of “Function” can be interpreted in different ways. This building acted as an exercise in allowing the site to compel the overall form of the building, essentially allowing us to explore the way we could respond to the needs of not just the family, but also the built landscape. In this instance, we achieved this by offsetting either side of the building line from the boundary, resulting in two distinct projections. Here, the natural termination point of the left and the right projection also raised a unique opportunity. Rather than culminate in a severe point, we chose to instead soften the profile with a curved feature, yielding us a full-height curved glazing as the focal point of the house - earmarked for a feature tree to be housed.
The house features a grand double-height entrance and drop-off area, highlighted by adjustable mechanical pivot screens. Car parking is arranged along both sides, maintaining the building’s frontage. As you move through the space, the layout gradually expands into a spacious living area that seamlessly extends to an exterior timber deck and landscaped garden, accented by flowing concrete profiles. The ground floor, the hub of family activities, includes a family room connected to a semi-outdoor koi pond and dry kitchens strategically positioned to face the garden. A central sculptural tree appears to float within the pond, while the formal, well-lit double-height living room is enhanced by large windows with automatic roller blinds.
Community & Humanity
A linear open-riser steel staircase connects to the upper floor, which is centered around a striking triple-height void encased in curved glass, offering views of the public park through aluminum pivot screens. The upper floor includes a study, two ensuite bedrooms, and a master suite, with the master bedroom cantilevered over an outdoor deck, providing shade for ground-floor activities. The architecture incorporates shade louvers and trellises with thin aluminum extrusions, enhancing the facade’s visual appeal while providing sun protection and privacy for the occupants. Car parking is arranged along both sides, maintaining the building’s frontage. As you move through the space, the layout gradually expands into a spacious living area that seamlessly extends to an exterior timber deck and landscaped garden, accented by flowing concrete profiles. The ground floor, the hub of family activities, includes a family room connected to a semi-outdoor koi pond and dry kitchens strategically positioned to face the garden.
The dining is directly facing the koi pond and landscape through a pivot screen. its creates a cozy and relax living space for the house owner.
Innovation
The house features a grand double-height entrance and drop-off area, highlighted by adjustable mechanical pivot screens. A central sculptural tree appears to float within the pond, while the formal, well-lit double-height living room is enhanced by large windows with automatic roller blinds.
The UGI Metal roof system provides architects with exceptional design flexibility by combining the durability and strength of metal with a wide range of customizable features. It supports various roof geometries, including curves, slopes, and complex angles, allowing for creative freedom in architectural expression. The system’s adaptability extends to its functional capabilities, with options for integrating insulation, skylights, and renewable energy solutions. Its ability to span large areas without the need for additional support structures enhances the potential for open, expansive spaces, making it ideal for both large-scale commercial projects and modern residential designs. The UGI Metal roof’s customizable aesthetics, combined with its robust performance and long lifespan, make it a versatile and reliable choice for architects aiming to achieve innovative, visually striking, and environmentally conscious designs.
Sustainability
The building material are using natural sustainable material such as marble stone for ground finishing. Natural merbau timber as the upper floor living spaces.
Natural cross ventilation into the living spaces. And bright natural lighting through the window. In additional, environment friendly material such as marble, stones and water elements as the main feature to create living spaces.
C-House: Catalyst in Neighbourhood Rejuvenation
Things are a-changing in Kuala Lumpur. Affluent and mature residential enclaves like Damansara Heights have seen rapid transformation in recent years, driving young and successful households to settle in. Riding the trend, the owner of C-house intends to build a multi-generational home on combined residential plots, which it shall strive to create iconic presence in the hope of catalysing the rejuvenation of this neighbourhood.
To fulfil the spatial requirements with future-proofing flexibility, a ‘shifting-boxes’ design was suggested, where two rectilinear boxes shifted out of alignment on one another. That creates a covered verandah along ground floor and a swimming pool terrace on the upper level.
The Seed Development in Taman Sutera Utama, Johor Bahru: A Paradigm of Modern Urban Living
In the heart of Taman Sutera Utama, Johor Bahru, The Seed development stands as a testament to contemporary architectural innovation and urban planning. This residential complex is not merely a collection of buildings but a thoughtfully designed community that integrates modern living with nature, sustainability, and social interaction. Its design philosophy and execution provide valuable insights into the future of urban development in rapidly growing cities.
Design Philosophy and Aesthetic Appeal
The Seed development is a striking example of how architecture can harmonize with the environment while providing a high standard of living for its residents. The aerial view of the complex reveals a meticulous arrangement of buildings and communal spaces that form a cohesive and visually appealing whole. The layout is characterized by its symmetry and the strategic placement of amenities at the center, fostering a sense of community.
The architectural style of The Seed is modern and minimalist, with clean lines and a focus on functionality. The use of materials such as glass and steel not only give the buildings a sleek, contemporary look but also ensures durability and low maintenance. The design prioritizes natural light and ventilation, with large windows and open spaces that create a bright and airy atmosphere within the residential units.
Integration with Nature
One of the most remarkable aspects of The Seed development is its seamless integration with nature. The central courtyard, featuring lush greenery, a large swimming pool, and recreational facilities, serves as the heart of the community. This green space is not only aesthetically pleasing but also provides a serene environment for relaxation and social interaction. The landscaping is meticulously planned, with a variety of plants and trees that enhance the overall ambiance and promote biodiversity.
The buildings themselves are designed to maximize views of the surrounding greenery, with balconies and terraces that offer residents private outdoor spaces. This connection to nature is further reinforced by the use of sustainable landscaping practices, such as rainwater harvesting and the use of native plants that require minimal water and maintenance.
Sustainability and Innovation
Sustainability is a core principle in the design and construction of The Seed development. The complex incorporates a range of eco-friendly features that minimize its environmental impact and promote energy efficiency. Solar panels installed on the rooftops harness renewable energy, reducing the reliance on non-renewable power sources. Additionally, the buildings are constructed with energy-efficient materials and technologies, such as double-glazed windows and insulated walls, which help to regulate indoor temperatures and reduce energy consumption.
Water conservation is another key aspect of The Seed's sustainability strategy. The development includes a rainwater harvesting system that collects and stores rainwater for use in irrigation and other non-potable applications. This not only reduces the demand for municipal water but also helps to mitigate the impact of heavy rainfall and prevent flooding.
Community and Social Interaction
The design of The Seed development prioritizes community and social interaction, recognizing the importance of fostering a sense of belonging among residents. The central courtyard serves as a communal space where residents can gather, socialize, and participate in various activities. The presence of amenities such as a swimming pool, playground, and fitness center encourages an active and healthy lifestyle.
The layout of the buildings also promotes social interaction, with common areas and walkways that facilitate casual encounters and conversations among neighbours. The design includes a mix of unit types and sizes, catering to a diverse range of residents, from singles and young professionals to families and retirees. This diversity contributes to a vibrant and dynamic community where people from different backgrounds can connect and share experiences.
Conclusion
The Seed development in Taman Sutera Utama, Johor Bahru, is a shining example of modern urban living that successfully integrates architectural innovation, sustainability, and community. Its thoughtful design and execution offer valuable lessons for future urban developments, demonstrating how architecture can create not just buildings, but thriving, sustainable communities. As cities around the world continue to grow and evolve, The Seed stands as a model for how we can
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Category: Lasting Beauty of Colorbond Steel
Year of Completion: 2012
Design Vision
UNIMAS Student Pavilion (UPS) originated from the idea of a Student Centre where most students’ activities converge into one common place. The 3,100 m2 USP also provides students an avenue to participate in managing and running of the premises thus promoting entrepreneurship skills as part of their learning programmes.
Located right at the verge of the man-made lake in the UNIMAS Campus, this is the only building there that interacts directly with the water body and is formed by a series of independent single storey building structures at ground level linked by a covered walkway.
Design Concept
Form
The different playful shapes and placement of these human scale structures make a strong informal statement among the built environment and yet blending themselves harmoniously with their immediate natural surroundings in a very unimposing way. The strategic location is very central and accessible, linked both by road and a pedestrian suspended bridge. The bridge forms an axis between large two elevated water towers with proximity to administration and teaching blocks as well as most Student Hostels.
Green
USP is also a pilot green project targeting a GBI Gold Rating. Right from the initial design stages, green features, principles and sustainability concepts were considered and applied.
Approximately 70% of the main spaces is naturally ventilated by way of a breathable façade created, namely the ENVI Façade, which promotes very efficient cross ventilation with random vision panels and allows the interior lighting to seep through, making the building glow like a lantern at night.
Food Court
The food court is a blend of hard form with breathable façade, geometry and landscaping. external light and wind breezes from the lake interact with the interior visuals through the permeable interface.
Interiors
The internal spatial experience combines both interior and exterior elements to provide a casual, relaxed environment for recreation and positive educational reinforcement. Informal spaces are differentiated from the very formal campus academic built environment. These freeform spaces become the prime venue for students to let loose, relax and socialize.
Design Technology
Features
The extended canopy roofs encourage interaction with the exterior by providing a deep shield against inclement weather and sun.
Glass pivot doors are easily opened for maximum natural ventilation as well enhancing indoor/outdoor interactions. They become vision panels when they are closed to shield occupants from harsh or inclement weather.
The façade maximizes natural cross ventilation by way of fixed aluminium louvers, glass louver panes and glass pivot doors. The glass panels are fixed at high levels not only to allow indirect daylight penetration but also for hot air to escape.
Night Life
At night, the buildings transform to take on a different and live visual aspect with the interplay of light washing on and through the permeable external surfaces. No exterior lighting is necessary, saving energy.
Eaton International School in Alam Impian, Seksyen 35, Shah Alam, is strategically located in the commercial precinct, a short distance from the Central Lake Park and LakePoint Clubhouse. The new school is envisioned as a catalyst to reinvigorate the matured township.
Planned in 2 stages, Phase 1 is for 600 students, while the future Phase 2 will accommodate another 600 students. The completed Phase 1 occupies 2.16 acres and consists of a 68,230 sq ft 5-storeys building. Due to the small site, the compact floor layout based on a modular 8 metres x 8 metres grid, is vertically stacked, and linked by circulation corridors, a Central Atrium and open staircases. The school has 20 classrooms, with supporting facilities such as Administrative Offices, Canteen, Dining Terrace, Library, Sports Hall, Performance Art Centre, Art studios, Laboratories, Infirmary and Suraus. On the ground floor are 3 combined Kindergarten classrooms, with sliding glass doors opening-out to a sheltered and securely-fenced kindie playground. The kindergarten interiors feature colourful and vibrant colours to excite and engage the pre-school kids’ senses.
The architecture embodies Eaton’s vision of a dynamic, progressive, and creative educational institution. Externally, white cubic forms are juxtaposed against dynamic angular screens. Along the sides, circulation corridors are painted bright yellow colour as an interplay against the white cubic forms. And in the centre is a spectacular 17.5 metres high folding 3-dimensional metal screen panel in Eaton’s vibrant corporate colours of purple and green, which ties together the façade into a cohesive composition.
Much thought has gone into crafting interesting and flexible in-between spaces to create a conducive learning environment. The centre glass-roofed Atrium forms the ‘Heart’ of the school. A continuous bright yellow ramp encircles the Atrium, rising-up dramatically to physically and visually connect the multiple floors. Natural daylighting filters through the Atrium’s frosted-glass roof and illuminates the interiors. On the Atrium’s ground, a cascading stepped platform forms an ideal space for students to sit, gather and interact. The open layout encourages natural cross-ventilation by funnelling wind through the terraces and corridors, keeping the school comfortably cool and breezy throughout the day.
Split-levels are introduced to allow the building to gradually ‘climb’ the slope and negotiate the 3 metres level difference from front to back of the site. The split levels create interesting internal spaces, and allows for changing visual vistas as students move throughout the building along the same floor, or when ascending or descending the continuous ramps and staircases.
On the 2nd floor, artificially-turfed ‘Green Terraces’ encourage students’ activities to spill-out beyond the classrooms. The ‘Green Terraces’ split-level steps become ideal spaces for students to sit and congregate. The 3rd floor Performance Art Centre also makes use of the split levels. The upper-level housing the Music Studio, can be utilised as an elevated platform for staging Drama productions and performances, while the lower level becomes the audience seated area. In addition, the large Dance Studio can be flexibly converted into 2 smaller Dance Studios by pulling divider curtains. Overlooking the double-volume Performance Art Centre is the 4th floor Lending Library.
On the 3rd floor opposite the Performance Art Centre is the Sports Hall. Both are housed on the highest level to achieve a large column-free space. The Sports Hall is enlivened with colourful green and orange vertical strips that accentuates the high double-volume space. Art, creativity, and splashes of vibrant colours is a recurring theme, intentionally and consistently introduced throughout the school, inside the classrooms, laboratories and even inside the common toilets, to create energetic learning spaces that stirs students’ creative imagination.