Miti Headquarters: Competition scheme

Perspective view from west

View of sloping courtyard

West elevation

North elevation

Aerial view

In November 2008, Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd invited 8 Malaysian architectural firms to participate in a competition for The Ministry of Trade and Industry, Malaysia headquarters building in Jalan Duta, adjacent to the Matrade Building. 3 proposals, those by Veritas Architects Sdn Bhd, RSP Architects Sdn Bhd. and Jafri Merican Architect were presented to the minister for his selection.

Our strategy to achieve both efficiency and slenderness was to design the tower block in 3 separate elements and have these interlock in one composition. One of these elements, the service core with a vertical glass enclosure comprising a stairway and a bank of bubble lifts, allow visitors views towards Kuala Lumpur while giving the tower its vertical outlook. The other 2 interlocking elements of the tower composition, a sloping rectangle and a curved glass form, featured a roof deck accessible from a dining/meeting room that could be used for entertaining visiting dignitaries. The tower skyline is embellished with a shaded glass dome housing a conference room; and a pinnacle in the form of a telecommunications tower above the service core.

The entire complex was planned based on a C-shaped configuration with entrance lobbies for VIPs being separated from the public entrance (accessing the multi purpose hall and an auditorium 6 metres below the main road level). The level difference within this site was addressed by a gently sloping central courtyard which allow visitors access to different zones within the proposed development; and a circular garden of tropical forest trees linked to a free form landscaped garden with walkpaths leading to an open air ampitheatre. Every conceptual decision made for the scheme reflected our intention to create an architectural proposal that was designed to cater to the specific needs of The Ministry of Trade and Industry, Malaysia both in terms of functionality and corporate image.

Single storey bungalows and zero lot bungalows for Peraga Properties Sdn. Bhd.

The site plan

The zero lot single storey bungalow

The single storey bungalow

The zero lot bungalow floor plan

The single storey bungalow plan

This development consisting of 5 units of single storey bungalows and 6 units of zero lot bungalows are currently undergoing construction in Pinggiran Kemuning, near Kota Kemuning. For more information regarding available units please contact Peraga Properties Sdn. Bhd at 03-51922660.

Visitors' Centre, Mutiara Damansara

One of our early projects. Located in Mutiara Damansara, next to Ikea and Ikano Power Centre, the Visitors’ Centre and Site Office for Mutiara Rini Sdn Bhd is one of the earliest buildings built in what was known, to those involved in Boustead Holdings Berhad projects in early 2000, as the Kem Kual development. Completed in 2001, it served as both project management office, where site meetings were regularly held for projects under going construction; and sales office, where the latest product launches took place attended by many prospective buyers.

Conceived as an extension of a public landscaped park proliferating around a water retention pond, the building was designed as a configuration of 5 connected structures; a single central edifice being the main exhibition/showroom area and four smaller structures (comprising a management office, meeting/conference rooms and a surau) connected at a diagonal angle.

The architecture is of modern tropical expression combined with diverse regional influences; featuring deep overhanging roof forms and stone walls as raised platform and column bases. Selection of natural materials, rather than paintwork for colour gives the building its earth tones, blending harmoniously with its idyllic landscaped park setting, an outstanding scheme designed by Malik Lip and Associates Sdn Bhd as a prelude to the verdant image of Mutiara Damansara, which Mutiara Rini Sdn Bhd intended to portray to its future habitants.

Kelab Sultan Suleiman, Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur, featured in Architecture Malaysia magazine

Our Kelab Sultan Suleiman project in Kampung Baru featured in Architecture Malaysia magazine November 2009 issue.

The Sultan Suleiman Club in Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur, founded in 1909, is the oldest and most prominent club created exclusively for the Malay community. The earliest clubhouse, of timber construction and thatched roof, was destroyed in a fire in 1930, and subsequently a new building was constructed in 1932, of bricks and concrete structure, with enclosure of timber panels and clay roof tiles. By the mid 30’s, the club had become a favourite gathering place for various Malay associations and became historically significant when the first Malay Congress that led to the formation of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) was held there in 1946 (This is a subject of debate between Johor and Selangor UMNO around the time of the officiation ceremony of this replica building, but nevertheless, our article refers to Bernama and other official sources). Lamentably, by 1967, this clubhouse structure had fallen into a state of disrepair and was demolished to make room for a new building, a modern clubhouse which is still operational today.

In early 2007, Jafri Merican Architect was appointed by the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, Malaysia, to design an accurate replica of the 1932 clubhouse, to be reconstructed as authentically as possible, given the absence of any of the original working drawings, which after consulting with numerous sources, were deemed no longer available. To overcome this constraint, old photographs were studied, interviews conducted with senior citizens who frequented the club prior to 1967, and site visits carried out on various colonial buildings of similar period and construction type. These type of buildings, predominantly located in old towns such as Taiping , Kuala Kangsar, and Tapah among others, were studied and photographed to ascertain the type of materials used, sizes of timber elements, method of construction, and the prevalent architectural style used in expressing building details during the 1920s to 30s colonial period.

Initial working drawings were prepared and presented to the Museum and Antiquities Department of the Ministry, and the Sultan Suleiman Club committee. Based on their feedback, drawings were refined to produce the final agreed scheme, approved for submission to authorities; and due to constraints of a tight construction schedule, the calling of a design and build tender. Upon award of the contract, our firm was appointed to work directly under the design and build contractor to produce details concurrent with the progress of construction work.

During this stage our efforts were directed towards preparing construction detailed drawings and advising the contractor regarding material selection and sizes of timber elements to be used. Timber sawmills which could produce the required plank sizes were sought and identified, as were suppliers for materials such as clay roof tiles of the ‘Marseille’ profile and u-shaped metal gutters and rainwater downpipes similar to those used during the colonial period. Ultimately, It is the selection of correct materials and construction details that gives authenticity to the completed building.

Construction works were certified practically complete in late November 2007, and the building was officiated by HRH The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah on the 8th of December 2007.

Sketches and Ideas for MITI Competition

The idea for this proposed 20 storey tower is to develop a vertical combination of forms that reflect the tower's function by expressing each different areas of the office floor plate. The typical office floors, the attached core, roof terrace spaces and a circular conference centre on top of the tower, each having unique and visually identifiable features that gel together as an architecural composition.