Design Statement Report

1. 1
UNIVERSITY TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN
Department of Architecture and Sustainable Design
MEAP 15608 - Advanced Design Studio 2
(Workplace + Institution)
May Intake 2017
Design Statement
Name : Ling Teck Ong
Student ID : 17UEM03655

2. 2
URBAN OFFICE DEVELOPMENT
IN JALAN DANG WANGI

3. 3
Abstract
This report present the design process and design development of urban office project in
Jalan Dang Wangi. It also included the design statement and design intention that I apply to
this project. Figure and diagram added inside to act as supportive material to my design idea.
This project is interesting & challenging, we have to carry out a detailed analysis of the site
and current urban situation surrounding the site, including historical, social-cultural and
economic aspects, identifying important characteristics and later identifying strategies which
will need to be incorporated into our building design process.

4. 4
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.1 Introduction Of Project..........................................................................................5
1.2 Outline Brief..........................................................................................................6
1.3 Introduction To Site...............................................................................................7
2.1 Design Statement...................................................................................................8
2.2 Design Approach...................................................................................................8
A) Accessibility......................................................................................................8
B) Node.................................................................................................................. 9
C) Programme...................................................................................................... 10
D) Iconic Landmark............................................................................................. 11
E) Zoning..............................................................................................................12
3.1 Design Intention.................................................................................................. 13
4.1 Office Building Design Idea................................................................................16
5.1 Facade Design ................................................................................................... 19
6.1 Site Plan Design Idea.......................................................................................... 21
7.1 Conclusion...........................................................................................................23
8.1 References........................................................................................................... 24

5. 5
1.1 Introduction Of Project
In Advanced Design Studio 2 (Workplace & Institution), we in addition to designing
an Urban Office Development Project, identified a suitable location to develop an
Urban Office building. This project is to design that urban office development on the
site which I had identified in the Jalan Dang Wangi area of Kuala Lumpur. The
neighbourhood is defined as the area bounded by Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman to the
west, Jalan Sultan Ismaik to the north, Jalan Raja Abdullah to the east and Jalan Dang
Wangi to the south.
Although the neighborhood is very strategically located, being opposite Dang Wangi
Police Headquaters Complex, and close to the post modern Wilayah Complex, it is
also close to the commercial areas of Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, two of Kuala
Lumpur’s earliest commercial shopping centres Pertama Complex and Campbell
Complex, some of Kuala Lumpur’s more recent shopping centres Sogo, Maju
Junction and Quill City Mall, Medan Tuanku and just a stone’s throw from the lively
Masjid India commercial area.
The purposed project is intended to be able to accommodate variety of different
tenants. The design will have to consider the flexibility of several tenants per floor
(say maximum of 5), or 1 tenant per floor, several tenant per floor, or indeed a single
tenant for the whole building. The proposal will also have to include complementary
facilities including restaurant / cafe, retail outlets and an auditorium, and of course
necessary car parking and service facilities.
The proposed Urban Office Development allows us to develop, within a run-down
urban area, innovative design solutions for a sustainable office building, based on
efficient office space planning, a good and comfortable working environment,
creation of friendly / lively public spaces and pedestrian linkages which will enable
this building to become a catalyst to the regeneration of this place within such a prime
location in the city.

6. 6
1.2 Outline Brief
A ) Title : Urban Office Development
B ) Land Sizes : 19020m2 (4.7 acres)
C ) Plot Ratio : 1:8
D ) Office Design Density : 10 m2 per person
E ) Suggested Schedule of Accommodation:
1) Office Spaces
2) Entrances / Reception/ Lobby
3) Information Desk
4) Auditorium
5) Restaurant / Cafe
6) Retail Outlets
7) Surau
8) Toilet
9) Building Management Facilities
10) Services - TNB, Telecom, Refuse Chamber
11) Vehicle Parking, Basement, Upper Level / at grade
12) Loading Bay
13) Lift Lobby
14) Fire Staircase
15) Pocket Spaces
Building Data:
Site Area : 4.7 Acres (19020 m2)
Building Height (Storeys) : 37
Building Height (Meters) : 161M
Office Type : 5
-Type A (4 tenants per floor) - 15 storeys
-Type B (2 tenants per floor) - 6 storeys
-Type C (1 tenant per floor) - 3 storeys
-Type D (2 tenants split level) - 6 storeys
-Type E (Co-working) - 2 storeys
-Retail - 3 storeys

7. 7
1.3 Introduction To Site
The area bounded by Jalan Tuanku Rahman to the west, Jalan Sultan Ismail to the
north, Jalan Raja Abdullah to the east and Jalan Dang Wangi to the south was chosen
as the neighborhood site, as this area is very strategic and yet neglected. Figure 1.1
shown the site of the Urban Office Complex project, which is the south east corner
area with a very significant heritage building, The Odeon.
Although the site is an important location in the historical development of Kuala
Lumpur, with Batu Road (now known as Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman) considered
the city’s old Main Street since colonial times, the chosen site is very run down and
needs some new strong statements to enrich and enliven the decaying fabric.
Currently used in large parts as open car parks, at the south-west corner of the site is a
fine Art Deco cinema (formerly The Odeon) which had a variety of recent uses, but is
in a decaying state. Loke Mansion another significant heritage building is located east
of Medan Tuanku in the north-west of the site. Too the north of the site along Jalan
Sultan Ismail runs the monorail with Medan Tuanku Station midway along, and to the
north-east are some modern commercial developments as well as the Sheraton
Imperial Hotel.
Figure 1.1 Site Plan of the Urban Office Development
project
Site

8. 8
2.1 Design Statement
Before I start my project, I had think about few design statement as design guideline
for the urban office development design project :
1. To create vibrant image to act as a landmark to the site.
2. To act as a catalyst to regenerate the site and bring back community at the same
time.
3. To create path or access to connect building and element surrounding with the site.
4. To create interesting & attractive programme at the run down urban area to
regenerate the place.
5. To develop an efficient office space planning, a good and comfort able working
environment, creation of friendly & lively public spaces and pedestrian linkages.
2.2 Design Approach
A ) Accessibility
The lived experience of cities has long been defined by motion. As urban
dwellers travel to work, home, and play they carve random or predictable pathways
across neighborhoods and districts. The first principle of achieving accessibility in
cities is based on the physical concentration of people, services, economic activities
and exchange. In that regard, the most defining characteristics include residential and
workplace densities; the distribution of functions and degree of mixed use; the level
of centralization; and local level urban design.
Diagram 2.1 Create path to connect the building around

9. 9
With comprehensive accessibility to our site, our site will be regenerated more
effectively. Circulation in architecture refers to how the space or buildings is designed to
facilitate the human flow in the building. Good circulation is essential to successful
architecture. Like the flow of blood in a body, circulation works best when the route is clear
and unobstructed. After all, how can you appreciate beautiful spaces if you don’t know where
to go or you’re constantly bumping into obstacle? When we confront people with an obstacle
course, their eyes are on the obstacles, not the architecture.
B) Nodes
A village, town, or city needs one or more focal points, depending on size. It's
actually fine to have more than one center in a large city, but sound urban design
principles would describe a hierarchy of centers. And downtown should the king of
the hill. Node is simply a term more likely to be used by professionals for the idea of
an activity center or an area where traffic, money, information, or other flows come
together. Each center or node should exude a strong sense of place. If you were a
tyrant and you could make the perfect hierarchical set of nodes within a major city,
you also should make each center or node have some distinctive elements.
So cultivating a dynamic and exciting community center or hierarchy of centers,
that most people can "read" intuitively, is perhaps the most important of the urban
design principles. When applied to a city or town, "legible" means that people from
the same culture have an intuitive sense of what is coming next and how to navigate;
thus we say that they can read their surroundings.
In the city dimension, the public space is important in the aspect of the
environment, culture and economy toward the improvement and balancing the city,
Diagram 2.2 Enhanced the circulation to ease the public
to access from one place to one place

10. 10
also act as a node. Therefore, in the high density development of urban areas, public
spaces as penetration of air and sunlight to the city so that the city have a healthy
environment. Public space is one part of the development of a city; yet public space
play an important roles in the public life and enhance the quality of life. These public
spaces reflect the social life and interaction of a people, examined the relationship
between public spaces and city’s development. Generally, public space can be seen in
various forms, such as streets, open parks, plazas, parks squares and market places,
which is a public space and play a number of physical role.
Public spaces are complex elements of a city. They can serve scores of different
uses, may be specialized in their function, or can simply provide visual appeal for
public users. However they work, they act to define the shape and feel of a city and its
neighborhoods. They also function as a conscious tool for revitalization.
Public spaces can stem the downturn of a commercial area, support the
stabilization of faltering neighborhoods, and provide a landmark element and a point
of pride for constituents. For all these things to happen, the city needs to be open and
aware of public space’s potential to spur revival, and support the elements that are
needed to make that happen.
C) Programme
Create variety of attractive & interesting programmes which bring convenient &
enhanced human lifestyle also a very efficient way for urban renewal. Urban renewal,
Diagram 2.3 Public space as node to provide identity, structure and
landscape amenity to the city and connected
community concurrently

11. 11
which is generally called urban regeneration is a program of land redevelopment in
areas of moderate to high density urban land use. Renewal has had both successes
and failures. The process has had a major impact on many urban landscapes, and
has played an important role in the history and demographics of cities around the
world.
Population is important for revitalized a place. When different kind of programme
proposed in a run down area, it attracted a lot of people involve in those programme
and population increased at the same time. It enrich and enliven the decaying urban
fabric.
D) Iconic Landmark
A landmark is a recognizable natural or artificial feature used for navigation, a
feature that stands out from its near environment and is often visible from long
distances.
Diagram 2.4 Create different programme to revitalize a
run down area
Diagram 2.5 Different programme create in the site

12. 12
To regenerate the site, to design a building which can be easily seen and
recognized from a distance is important. When the building become a landmark, it will
be well known as well. People will pay more attention to the building.
E) Zoning
Zoning guidelines are set in place by the local municipality and control the
physical development of land as well as the types of uses allowed on each property.
Generally, residential zoning laws regulate building dimensions and size. They specify
the minimum distance that a structure must be set back from each property line and
the maximum building size and height allowed for each property.
Sometimes zoning will also limit the number of structures or parking spaces
required or whether the owner is allowed to keep certain animals on his property. In a
historic district for example, zoning regulations may be in place to preserve the
character of the architecture and therefore also regulate material use and design.
Zoning restrictions vary for each community.
Diagram 2.6 Iconic Landmark at the Site
Diagram 2.7 Zoning of the Site

13. 13
As shown in Diagram 2.7, our site is majority occupied by a huge open car park
which separate the building around and building to building is not connected.
3.1 Design Intention
The site is in an abandon state currently. Everything is not connected well and
occupied by a huge open carpark. The Odeon, a significant heritage building also in
an abandon state. My design intention here is to create an urban office development
with the 3 main key point, work, play and social. Besides that, to create a flexible
working environment and also aim to increase the population density.
My design concept will mainly the axis or path with allow connectivity to the
district around and to create a permeability site situation. With a comprehensive
access create with the site, the site will be enliven through the increase of population
density. People will access the site when path is created. I connected the commercial
to the residential area which is direct linked to the public transport, monorail station.
Both side of the path will be the cafe and seating area which people can sit outdoor
and enjoy the happening scene that people passing by the site. The site become a
vibrant site and it start to become catalyst which to regenerate the place within such a
prime location in the city.
The design also focus on the response of office tower development to the site
context. The main entrance and a path which is created to connected the event space
and food court to response to the Campbell complex opposite. The Odeon is adaptive
reuse as an exhibition hall & gallery space which response to the auditorium opposite
it. Another path is created to connected to Loke Mansion and the is connected to
Pertama Complex and Menara MARA. To diverse the programme, studio, ICT room,
library and workshop space also added to the retail floor. Figure 3.1 show the step of
design development of the urban office development
SOCIAL
WORK
PLAY

14. 14
STEP 6
ADAPTIVE REUSE
- The Odeon in decaying state adaptive reuse as
an exhibition hall + gallery space which also
response to the auditorium opposite..
STEP 1
HERITAGE
- Loke Mansion as a significant heritage
building, create access to link Loke Mansion
with the site.
RESPONSE
- create another main path which response to
the Campbell Complex opposite the site.
ATTRACTION
- create another path which is connected from
Pertama Complex & MARA, the entrance will
acts as a node which which attract people to
pass through the site.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
- create access to connect The Odeon and the
residential area and then monorail station.
SITE CONDITION
- fine art deco cinema, The Odeon which had a
variety of recent uses is in decaying state at the
south east corner.
STEP 5
STEP 4
STEP 2
STEP 3

15. 15
NODE
- continue the path from Pertama Complex &
MARA to the courtyard which act as a node at
the center of the site
STEP 8
STEP
HARMONIOUS
- smoothen the edge of the tower which
harmonious to the site and reduce wind load
concurrently.
BALANCE
- area carved out to balance the overall
building form and recessed area allow
building to breath.
STEP
STEP 7
STEP 9
VOID
- void punch through office tower to create
highlight to the path underneath and allow
stack effect ventilation.
STEP
RECESSED
- recessed to create highlight and increase area of
view toward the happening path underneath.
FOOPRINT
- create footprint parallel to the path
underneath.
Figure 3.1 Design Development

16. 16
4.1 Office Building Design Idea
FACADE TREATMENT
- composite fins as facade material which act as a
shading device and also for aesthetic purpose.
GREENERY
- greenery space as pocket space enhanced the living
quality and area carved out for outdoor terrace also
allow building to breath and also act as interaction
space.
SUNPATH
- facade at east and west side will receive the large
amount of heat and sunlight during daytime.
Figure 4.1 Office Tower Design Idea
SKYLIGHT
- skylight to allow daylight penetrated the glass
canopy that bright up the space and reduce the
energy use concurrently.
VIEW
- curtain wall is used at facade of the office tower
to allow optimized view toward the surrounding.
ACCESSIBILITY
- the main path within the site connected to
building surrounding the site.

17. 17
Figure 4.1 show the office tower design idea. After I got the foot print of the office
tower, I extruded the office tower and start to explore the overall massing to
harmonious it. To correspond to the site context, I set the office tower height at 36
levels with a total height of 161m. Then I start to think about the view toward
surrounding, create greenery pocket space to enhance the living quality, composite
vertical louvers as shading device and the skylight to let the natural light to penetrate
the triple volume atrium as well.
Figure 4.2 and Figure 4.3 showed the void of the office tower, the void is located every floor
of the tower from ground to the top of the tower. This will provide the stack effect ventilation
which can cooling the office tower using prevailing wind. Besides that, the void also response
to the main pathway at ground floor which highlight the path become more significant.
The design is to consider the flexibility of office type which required for different tenants.
The office tower is occupied with 5 type of office with different number of tenant. Figure 4.4
showed the zoning of different kind of office space. Type A will be 4 tenants per floor, Type
B is 2 tenants per floor, Type C is 1 tenant per floor, Type D is split level office for 2 tenants
and Type E is Co- working office space. The intention is to accommodate a variety of
different tenants.
Figure 4.3 Stack effect
ventilation
Figure 4.2 Void of the office
tower

18. 18
Figure 4.4 Office Zoning
Section
Table 4.5 Type of Tenancy

19. 19
Table 4.5 clearly showed the different type of office with different space. Type A is at Level
6-9, 15-15, 22-26 and 32-35, Type B is at Level 12-12, 19-20 a nd 29-30, Type C is at Level
14, 21 and 31, Type D at Level 10-11, 17-18 and 27-28, Type E at Level 4-5. The office is
divided into two wings and the middle part of the tower is communal space and the void with
greenery. It act as an interaction space for the office users. The services like lift core, fire
staircase and toilet is indicated in red.
5.1 Facade Design
Figure 5.1 Shading device on facade
Figure 4.6 Different type of office space
Figure 5.1 showed the composite cladding used at the
facade of the tower. Composite cladding is used as
shading device as well. The facade design is mainly the
curtain wall system and the composite louvers will be
installed after curtain wall. Figure 5.2 is the example of
composite cladding that I decided to used in my design.

20. 20
Before I putting the composite cladding on the facade, I explore few type of office tower’s
form to see which one is the best form. Figure 5.3 is the 3 options of facade design. The main
idea of the tower to to create the outdoor terrace on certain floor to carved out some area to let
the tower look more vibrant and have a green interaction space.
To harmonious and balance the whole building form, the floor area of each floor have to be
considered. The location of outdoor terrace to be carved out also have to be considered. .
Figure 5.2 Example of composite cladding
Figure 5.3 Facade design’s options

21. 21
Figure 5.4, Figure 5.5 and Figure 5.6
showed some precedent study of office
tower design by different architect. These
office tower are interesting with their
significant design idea. Figure 5.4 is beach
road tower in Singapore designed by
Norman Foster which have the outdoor
terrace at certain floor to create a
subtraction toward building. Figure 5.5 is
Rothschild Tower designed by Richard
Meier, the way he design the facade is
organized and systematic which create
kind clean and neat facade. Figure 5.6
showed the 88 Market Tower by Big
architect, the most interesting part is the
greenery. The way he carved out the space
for greenery allow the building to breath
and enhanced the living quality of the
tower.
Figure 5.4 Beach Road tower by
Norman Foster
Figure 5.5 Rothschild Tower by
Richard Meier
Figure 5.6 88 Market Street tower by
Big Architect

22. 22
6.1 Site Plan Design Idea
Figure 6.1 showed the final site for my proposed urban office development area
which is 4.7 acres. The reason I choose south west corner of site to become my
commercial site because it is the most significant corner that most of the public
passing by. If the tower proposed at the corner, it will be the highlight or landmark to
the site The middle of the site is the previous proposed residential area which
connected to the monorail station. So, I will linked back the path by connected the
main path to the residential area which can lead the public to the commercial zone.
My design intention is to create accessibility to connect the district around and
make the site permeability at the same time. With comprehensive access, the site will
be revitalized. With the tall office tower in the middle courtyard of the site, it attract
people from all direction to the site. People go underneath the office tower and feel
the magnificent of the office tower.
When people first step in the site, the ground floor will occupied by retail outlets ,
cafe, outdoor seating areas, public social space and pocket space. It will be a very
happening area and fill with a lot of people which from different direction. Same as
first and second floor, it will occupied by mostly retail outlets and cafe. At the podium
Figure 6.1 Site Plan

23. 23
level, it will be cafe, restaurant, kiosk, and food court which provide convenient
services to the office users upstairs. The rooftop of the office tower will be pocket
space and facilities.
7.1 Conclusion
In conclusion, I had learn how to develop a moderately complex design
programme for a project, master plan and design a building project, integrated the
programme with all aspects of the site and construct a personal approach on master
planning and architectural design from this urban office development project. It is a
challenging project. Not only design, but also have to consider the practical part to
make the office building work. Planning and references also important to create the
efficient office with good and comfortable working environment.

24. 24
8.1 References
Duffy, Francis, and Ken Powell, (1997). The New Office. London: Conran Octopus.
Markus, Thomas A (1993). Buildings & Power: Freedom and Control in the Origin of
Modern Building Types. London ; New York: Routledge.
Van den Bergh, Jeroen C.J.M.(1994). Toward Sustainable Development: Concepts,
Methods, and Policy. Washington, D.C.: Island Press.
Fowler, Edmund P (1992). Building Cities That Work. Montreal: McGill-Queen's
University Press.
Kerstin Sailer and Alan Penn. (2007). Performance of Space – Exploring Social and
Spatial Phenomena of Interaction Patterns in an Organization.
Mervi Himanen. (2003). The Intelligence of Intelligent Buildings: The Feasibility of the
Intelligent Building Concept in Office Buildings.
Young-Ju Kim. (2008). Organism of options: a design strategy for flexible space. Master
thesis.