The Pod Pavillion by Studio Nicoletti & Hijjas Kasturi Associate

In the area of Petaling Jaya, west of Kuala Lumpur, a great urban development is under way for the establishment of a new urban centre. As a landmark for this area, the Developer wanted to host his on-site offices and sale’s showroom in an iconic pavilion that would reflect the spirit and the architectural style of the whole development.

Water droplets in nature was the inspiration for ‘The Pod’ pavilion structure creating a dynamic spherical form resulting in a primitive building archetype with a modern twist. The round and soft shape of The Pod is formed as a series of elliptical sections of variable widths and heights. Slithers of windows brings natural daylight into the spaces below

Setia Eco Cascadia by CPG Studio 1

CPG Studio I is the masterplan designer and architect for the Setia Eco Cascadia township - the latest project under the eco range of S P Setia, which is set to take eco-living in Johor Bahru to new heights. Phase 1 of the development was officially launched on 10 December 2011, and the project has recently moved on to Phase 2.

A new eco concept by renowned developer S P Setia

The concept of Setia Eco Cascadia is simple, yet surprisingly unexplored. It is about implanting a world of eco-living into the heart of a city centre. As the name implies, Setia Eco Cascadia is an abundant green wonderland where cascading waterfalls are the key element, literally bringing a fresh of breath air to modern living.

A development where Mother Nature is a nurturing companion, an inspiring space where we can live, learn, work and play; not merely an inevitable victim of urbanisation. Here, the existing environment and natural ambience serve as a vibrant canvas for exploration, untouched by the destructive force that humankind is so willing to muster in its quest for progress.

The luxurious houses are dotted along the natural, cascading landscapes, each strategically located to provide an optimum view of the waterfalls and priceless privacy to the dwellers.

The Yeoh Residence by Agence Jouin Manku

The Yeoh family of YTL Corporation owns one of Malaysia’s largest conglomerate company and dozens of upmarket properties in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Now it is more personal, with the completion of the family's sleek-looking 4-storey The Yeoh Residence nestled atop Bangsar in Kuala Lumpur, it may inspire your imagination of being super-rich one day.

*** *** ***

[The following photos and wording are by The Cool Hunter.]

In 2003, Paris-based Agence Jouin Manku was invited to take on its first large-scale integrated architectural design commission for the Malaysian family.

Kuala Lumpur International Financial District

A lot of people have been asking about the new Kuala Lumpur International Financial District.  As far as we have been informed were showed in the following pictures for now.

The new Kuala Lumpur, or rather KLIFD (sometimes called 1Malaysia Financial Centre) is a RM26 billion project that will be built from the middle of next year (2011), as reported in the media recently.  Secondly, this project is often mistaken with the proposed development of Sg. Besi Airport, which was also envisioned to become another Financial Centre, or rather an Islamic Financial Centre.

The fact is KLIFD is not Sg. Besi as Sg. Besi site has been launched in a Master Plan Competition for Bandar Malaysia.

International Design Competition of Signature Tower for Kuala Lumpur Financial District, Malaysia

International Design Competition of Signature Tower for Kuala Lumpur Financial District Malaysia (KLIDF) has been launched recently.  This Competition is organized by Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM) in collaboration with International Union of Architects (UIA) and promoted by 1MDB Real Estate Sdn Bhd (1MDB RE).

The Signature Tower will anchor Kuala Lumpur International Financial District (KLIFD) in three significant ways.

• Firstly, it will serve as the primary physical marker of the KLIFD on the city scale, and will become an important addition to the Kuala Lumpur skyline, both through its height (approximately 380 meters) and its high level of architectural design.
• Secondly, as a result of the tower’s siting, it will be framed dramatically by flanking buildings, thus creating a powerful and elegant composition for  drivers and passengers of vehicles arriving from the Maju Express (MEX) and Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2).
• Thirdly, the Signature Tower will, also as a result of the carefully considered siting, terminate the major pedestrian access to KLIFD from the Bukit Bintang area. It will thus provide a dramatic backstop for KLIFD at both the pedestrian and city scale.
• In addition to fulfilling its role as the site’s primary landmark, the Tower will provide a home for the KLIFD’s anchor tenant. Commanding views of the KLIFD Public Green as well as all of Kuala Lumpur will be a signature of the building. 

For mo information, please visit PAM Website.

(Courtesy of PAM)

PAM - Tan Sri Ar. Chan Sau Lai Architecture Award

Following to the announcement during the 45th PAM AGM on 20 August 2011, PAM under the direction of PAM Education Fund (PEF) is delighted to launch the “PAM-Tan Sri Ar. Chan Sau Lai Architecture Award”, offering a total of RM50,000 grant to the Award Winners. The Award will recognize the outstanding achievements by students of architecture in design, and to introduce these students to the profession and the industry.

We are now inviting PAM Student Members who are graduating towards a Part II architecture degree of an architecture course in 2011, or Malaysian students who will be completing in the present year, in the country or abroad, to submit your final year works for the Award.

There will be two stages of submission by participants for this Award. Up to ten design projects may be shortlisted at Stage One by the Award’s Jury to proceed to Stage Two – in which you are then required to make a Presentation of your design project in person or by tele-conferencing.

The current Award programme, is as follows:

• Closing date for Stage One Submission   : 22 March 2012 (Thursday)
• Opening of submission for Stage Two     : 12 April 2012 (Thursday)
• Closing date for Stage Two Submission   : 10 May 2012 (Thursday)

The Award Winner will be announced during the Datum:KL Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival in July 2012

For mo information, please visit PAM Website.

(Courtesy of PAM)

Springtide Residence by Architects 61 Sdn Bhd

The Springtide Residences tsunami devastation into Penang’s prime residential location designed by Architects 61 Sdn Bhd is located in Penang, Malaysia.  The development is conceptualised with luxury in mind where the tower accommodates two apartments per floor at grand sizes of 370 sq m and 465 sq m, with two lifts serving each unit without the need to share. The villas come with their own private lift, lap pool garden and private garage for 5 cars. The towers and villas cover 15% of the footprint, leaving the deck fully landscaped to reduce the ‘heat island’ effect and provide a lush landscaped environment. 

The efficiency of a typical apartment floor is 92%. All this built at a cost of RM200 (45 Euro) per sq ft, whilst sales achieved were at RM750 (170 Euro) per sq ft – a record in Penang – and construction costs were kept within budget.

Infinity Condominium by Architects 61 Sdn Bhd

The Infinity Condominium luxury residential designed by Architects 61 Sdn Bhd is located in Penang, Malaysia. Cost was achieved through innovative design where the 2 sub-level car parks are naturally ventilated taking advantage of site terrain. Drop-off is raised by a level and the entrance placed closer to the sea with an approach via a grand boulevard of trees, creating a statement. The site is bound by the sea at the north, a polluted Kelian River at the West and a main arterial road at the south.

Tech-Linx Technology Park by T.R. Hamzah & Yeang Sdn Bhd

The site for the Tech-Linx corporate headquarters is in the flagship zone of Cyberjaya. The design incorporates six separate buildings around a central courtyard, forming a campus-like work environment. The buildings are raised, all naturally lit and ventilated, surrounded by dense, forest vegetation and water features.

Putrajaya Waterfront Development by Studio Nicoletti & Hijjas Kasturi Associates

“The building should have a uniqueness that tells of its place of origin, which is culturally modern, Islamic and tropical in nature. This group of houses is on the artificial lake, so we conceived a complex of elements, like a fleet, each one inspired by a boat.” - Manfredi Nicoletti

Putrajaya is located on a stretch of Malaysia between Kuala Lumpur and Kuala Lumpur International Airport. It will eventually be the most accessible city in Malaysia, surrounded by expressways, urban highways and railways. Tagged “The Garden City” because of its preservation of existing eco features and plans to set aside a third of its area for lush greenery, gardens and parks.

Iringan Hijau by C' Arch Architecture & Design

" A highly com positional and layered building well crafted and expresses and 'intellectual' mood.  The  simplicity in the detailing including the overall landscape approach , is sophisticated and elegant and truly expresses 'less is more'."

Iringan Hjau, New Residential Development that located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, was designed by C' Arch Architecture & Design Sdn Bhd. The project consists of a 3-storey residential development of 26 units on a 2 acre site. The site is located within a low rise residential area close to the traditional ambassadorial area of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The units range in size from 3,000 to 5,000 sq ft including single-floor apartments, duplexes and 3-storey townhouses arranged in four blocks with generous landscaped gardens in between, and single-storey daylit car park beneath the whole site.

Columbia Asia Medical Centre by Environmental Design Practice

The Columbia Asia Medical Centre designed by Environmental Design Practice Sdn Bhd is located in Nusajaya, Malaysia. The brief asked for a hospital that does not look like a typical hospital. It should exude confidence in users as a place of science and precision in healthcare facilities. The owner commissioned Environmental Design Practice Sdn. Bhd. to provide the prototype design of their 82-bedded community hospital. This hospital is the second built using the same prototype.

Leisure Farm Villas by Unit One Design Sdn Bhd

Designed by UNIT ONE DESIGN SDN BHD, Leisure Farm Villas is located in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. A complex of 5 separate buildings, consisting of the main parental house (currently under construction) and 4 individual villas where ‘most of the walls are views’, one for each child, all linked by landscaped walkways. The final piece of the overall jigsaw, it is composed of three wings in total, each forming new gardens and courtyards created by walls or difference in levels. Sited towards the apex of the site in totality, the house acts as a wall embracing most of the project where the villas and the orchard sit (the eastern part of the site) which is the private domain of the whole development. The living spaces of this house will have views to the whole development.

Penang Global City Center by Asymptote Architecture

Sited on Penang Hill the Penang Global City Center (PGCC) is a key component of the 256 acre development site that was formally the Penang Turf Club.  The design is centered on the idea of creating a new and powerful image for the city of Penang and the new initiatives associated with the development of the Northern Corridor of Malaysia.

Architectural Design Thesis: Museum of Contemporary Art, Dataran Merdeka

The architectural design thesis entitled Museum of Contemporary Arts with the site at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur.  This work was owned by Shazana Hashim from University of Malaya and being submitted as one of the project entries of 2011 for the RIBA President's Medals Student Awards.

Besides being a typology of museum, this design thesis also deals with the urban and site issues together with a very strong historical value and context to it.

University of Technology Petronas by Foster + Partners & GDP Architects

Malaysia's sustained growth in recent decades in large part to the development of a strong education sector, one that aims especially to contribute to advances in the fields of science and technology.  In support of this ambition, the government invited the petroleum company Petronas to set up a private university that would nurture technically qualified, well-rounded graduates who could direct the development of key industries in Malaysia.  Blending academic training with hands-on experience, the University of Technology Petronas is conceived as an environment that will encourage creativity and innovation, 'a place to learn and not a place to be thought.'

Salinger House by CSL Associates

Architect's Brief

The initial brief of the Salinger house was a weekend retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the city.  Dr. Hj. Rudin Salinger and his wife Puan Munira Salinger were then living in Petaling Jaya, 15 minutes drive from the central Kuala Lumpur.  At the time, the site was highly undeveloped and essentially a rural district located on the outskirts of a small Malay village.  With their knowledge and understanding of Malaysian culture, the clients were looking to build a modern home which would embrace their Malaysian heritage and Muslim faith.  Having lived in Malaysia for over 30 years, Dr. Hj. Salinger had developed a great interest in Malaysian's heritage and culture.  This has since a number of papers written on timber woodcarving and handmade roof tiles as well as the ability to cook many local dishes.

The program was simple.  To design a house with two bedrooms, a kitchen, a living and dining room.  With his culinary skills, Dr. Salinger requested that his kitchen be easily accessible and in direct contact with the dining room.  An area with a direct relationship with the garden was necessary for him to indulge in another of his bobbies, gardening.  However, what was of greater importance was the clients' desire for a distinctively Malaysian house.

Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque by Kumpulan Senireka Sdn Bhd

Located at the lake edge of Putrajaya, it had became one of the landmark of Putrajaya. It is widely known by the locals as Masjid Besi or 'Iron Mosque' due to its appearance of the exterior and interior of the mosque.  Even though the mosque is structurally built by reinforced concrete with glass and aluminium/steel infill, but the finishes of most of the elements inside and outside of the building giving resemblance of metal works.

Petronas Tower by Cesar Pelli & ZAP Group Architects Sdn Bhd

Once considered the tallest building[s] in the world from 1998 to 2004, the Petronas Towers designed by Cesar Pelli stand as a cultural and architectural icon in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  Completed in 1998, the Petronas Towers are a reflection and homage to the dominant Islamic culture of Malaysia.

The Petronas Towers have not only put Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on the architectural radar, but it evoked the richness of the country’s culture.  The towers are not simply recognized for their height, but it was Pelli’s conceptual efforts to incorporate Islamic motifs and symbols into the design process that would influence the design and the detailing of the building.

PAM+NAZA TTDI Bertam Master Plan & Architectural Ideas Competition: Result

Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia (PAM) had recently announced the winners of PAM + NAZA TTDI Bertam Master Plan & Architectural Ideas Competition in thier website.


The winners of the competition are as follows:

• First Prize:  KSKA Arkitek Sdn Bhd
• Second Prize:   Pakatan Reka Arkitek Sdn Bhd in collaboration with Ranhill Bersekutu Sdn Bhd, Yong dan Mohamad Faiz Sdn Bhd and Dr Puteri Shireen Jahan Kassism of EAG Consulting Sdn Bhd
• Third Prize:  Almaz Architect Sdn Bhd
• Special Mention:  LKMD Architecture Sdn bhd
• Special Mention:  Veritas Architects Sdn Bhd
• Special Mention:   Alma Architects and Planner Sdn Bhd in collaboration with Good Design Creative Management Sdn Bhd.

The prizes were presented at a special reception on 18 January 2012 at Boardwalk, Level 8, Hilton KL Sentral, Kuala Lumpur.

(Courtesy of PAM)

Book: Architecture in Sabah: Resorts & Hotels

An effort has now been made to document and showcase the architecture of Sabah’s guest accommodation facilities, in the form of a beautiful coffee-table book.  Malaysian Institute of Architects or Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM), Sabah Chapter launched its inaugural coffee-table book project entitled ‘Architecture in Sabah: Resorts and Hotels’ during its 34th annual dinner recently.  The book features 15 of Sabah’s selected tourist guest accommodation facilities, ranging from 5-star luxury resorts to budget backpacker lodges.  The book was written by Richard Nelson Sokial, who also shot most of the stunning images of resorts and hotels.




(Courtesy of PAM)

1 Mont’ Kiara Retail Mall by SPARCH & Veritas Architects

Architects: SPARCH & Veritas Architects
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Interior Design: SPARCH
Design Director: Stephen Pimbley Team: Jan Clostermann, Darmaganda, Sofia David, Michael Gibert, Sevena Lee, RenJie Li, Suchon Pongsopitsin, KimLee Tan
Local Architect: Veritas
Architects Quantity Surveyor: YSCA Consultancy
M&E Engineer: Norman Disney & Young
C&S Engineer: Jurutera Perunding Riz
Specialist Structural Engineer: Tensys
Lighting Design: Lumino Design Consultants
Project area: 40,000 sqm
Project year: 2007 – 2010
Photographs: Milk Photographie

Designed by Stephen Pimbley, SPARCH’s founder and director, the ambition is to make a unique and exciting retail destination, standing out among its competitors. Mont Kiara is a predominantly residential neighborhood and is very family orientated. This spirit is captured in the design which uses a ‘friendly’ palette of finishes in feel, color and texture. Shoppers entering the atrium will step into natural light cascading onto a pixelated ‘floral’ floor surface, providing the space with a unique identity and paying homage to the buildings tropical context. The floor surface depicts an abstract image of the hibiscus flower which is used as a device to guide shoppers into the atrium and identifies zones for events and displays. The energy and geometry of the floor pattern is carried into the structure of the roof that vaults the atrium; a steel shell supporting an ETFE pillow roof. Hereunder themed events, activities and cultural performances will be staged to engage and entertain visitors.