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.
In conclusion, 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.
Featured on these pages are projects which, in our opinion, truly represent the firms' values and capabilities. For details, please look up the preceeding posts within this blog.
