Mantab Workplace Bangsar Malaysia - a complete internal overhaul of an existing bungalow for a locally-based property development company. The design brief was unusual: to create a series of spaces within the building to suit a variety of purposes that ranged from business to social. Thus, the designer was presented the opportunity to revise and challenge the norms of an office typology. The excitingly new programme was to include offices for the company’s three directors as well as for art collection and numerous leisure spaces for hosting clients. With a diverse, unprecedented brief in hand, the designer set out to refit and transform the 1980’s bungalow to the client’s vision.
Working in accordance to the brief, the designers strove to develop a scheme that was based on the bungalow’s existing structure and footprint. In place within its basic frame is a dexterous play of juxtaposed cantilevering volumes and contrasting interior elements. Contrasts was a key design strategy employed by the designers. A strong theme of bold yet methodical contrasts, or as the designers put it: “intentional mismatches”, is evident throughout, as articulated in the design’s volumetric handling of spaces as well as the contrasting play of colours, textures and surfaces in its material and finishes schematics.
One such instance of this “mismatch” is upon first encounter with the building. Looming high over the quiet suburban street are the building’s top two levels. These two floors are prominent and luminously cast in bright titanium. Inspired by the Malaysian shophouse vernacular of folding iron shutters, the gold-copper alloy folding panels are hinged and operable. Once shut, the long and broad panes of glossy and matte- finished triangulations make way for a spaciously-appointed lounge beyond, concealed behind its tall facade. Flanking these opulent and glimmering surfaces to the left is a slighter single timber-clad volume. This marks the main entrance and balances the entirety of the façade’s composition. Noticeably marked by its contrasting size, the cantilevering box is clad with locally sourced recycled timber. The protrusion was designed for dramatic effect. “We wanted to create an immersive volume in which to heighten one’s sense and experience of space to highlight their entry into the building,” the designers note.
Within, the designer has deftly incorporated an interplay of volumes and finely customised details. Hovering over the double-height lounge space are the glass-encased directors’ offices. Generously washed with natural light, the offices and lounge are cast in a soft, warm glow. Along the south-western edge of the building, the designers have incorporated an outdoor green terrace – dubbed the “bamboo terrace” – on the first floor. In doing so, nature and the outdoors are a subtle feature that complements the scheme’s sleek corporate interior.
The designer has striven to balance the project’s hybrid brief. The division of spaces are carefully considered, as were the design strategies and elements involved in this. For the centrally-positioned conference room on the white epoxy-floored first level, the room is surrounded by heavy but lush emerald green privacy drapes. Left open when not in use, the curtains provide a flexible use of space that opens up the heart of the level rather than further segmenting it. On its borders are a pair of slender-framed, arched translucent screens. These further aid in framing the open space. Uniquely designed and detailed for the scheme, these acrylic panels of varying soft neon hues are encased in a thin black steel frame that double up as feature display shelves and add visual interest and depth to the space when viewed from different orientation derive different outcome, at times stacking of multi-layer colors or silhouette of translucent colour foreground merged with the background surrounding materials and finishes.
The designers’ experimental play of joinery detail here is reprised in the level above. Upon ascending the scheme’s central stairs – enveloped by interlocking gold-copper alloy panels of matte, polished and finely-perforated finishing – visitors are greeted by mysterious dark undulating wall surface. Visitors who stride the corner of the sensuous deep blue undulations will find a cunningly concealed joinery of open shelving. Crafted out of a mix of timber and polycarbonate, the shelves run the north-western perimeter of the open working space here – a skilful application of aesthetics met with practicality.
Through a measured and masterful consolidation of design elements and strategies, the designer has developed and delivered a scheme to suit their client’s precise intent. The final result is a sleek and refined corporate interior that evokes a sense of timelessness that is accentuated by well-crafted and curated details.
Text by: Shyn Cheah
Mantab Workplace Bangsar Malaysia - a complete internal overhaul of an existing bungalow for a locally-based property development company. The design brief was unusual: to create a series of spaces within the building to suit a variety of purposes that ranged from business to social. Thus, the designer was presented the opportunity to revise and challenge the norms of an office typology. The excitingly new programme was to include offices for the company’s three directors as well as for art collection and numerous leisure spaces for hosting clients. With a diverse, unprecedented brief in hand, the designer set out to refit and transform the 1980’s bungalow to the client’s vision.
Working in accordance to the brief, the designers strove to develop a scheme that was based on the bungalow’s existing structure and footprint. In place within its basic frame is a dexterous play of juxtaposed cantilevering volumes and contrasting interior elements. Contrasts was a key design strategy employed by the designers. A strong theme of bold yet methodical contrasts, or as the designers put it: “intentional mismatches”, is evident throughout, as articulated in the design’s volumetric handling of spaces as well as the contrasting play of colours, textures and surfaces in its material and finishes schematics.
One such instance of this “mismatch” is upon first encounter with the building. Looming high over the quiet suburban street are the building’s top two levels. These two floors are prominent and luminously cast in bright titanium. Inspired by the Malaysian shophouse vernacular of folding iron shutters, the gold-copper alloy folding panels are hinged and operable. Once shut, the long and broad panes of glossy and matte- finished triangulations make way for a spaciously-appointed lounge beyond, concealed behind its tall facade. Flanking these opulent and glimmering surfaces to the left is a slighter single timber-clad volume. This marks the main entrance and balances the entirety of the façade’s composition. Noticeably marked by its contrasting size, the cantilevering box is clad with locally sourced recycled timber. The protrusion was designed for dramatic effect. “We wanted to create an immersive volume in which to heighten one’s sense and experience of space to highlight their entry into the building,” the designers note.
Within, the designer has deftly incorporated an interplay of volumes and finely customised details. Hovering over the double-height lounge space are the glass-encased directors’ offices. Generously washed with natural light, the offices and lounge are cast in a soft, warm glow. Along the south-western edge of the building, the designers have incorporated an outdoor green terrace – dubbed the “bamboo terrace” – on the first floor. In doing so, nature and the outdoors are a subtle feature that complements the scheme’s sleek corporate interior.
The designer has striven to balance the project’s hybrid brief. The division of spaces are carefully considered, as were the design strategies and elements involved in this. For the centrally-positioned conference room on the white epoxy-floored first level, the room is surrounded by heavy but lush emerald green privacy drapes. Left open when not in use, the curtains provide a flexible use of space that opens up the heart of the level rather than further segmenting it. On its borders are a pair of slender-framed, arched translucent screens. These further aid in framing the open space. Uniquely designed and detailed for the scheme, these acrylic panels of varying soft neon hues are encased in a thin black steel frame that double up as feature display shelves and add visual interest and depth to the space when viewed from different orientation derive different outcome, at times stacking of multi-layer colors or silhouette of translucent colour foreground merged with the background surrounding materials and finishes.
The designers’ experimental play of joinery detail here is reprised in the level above. Upon ascending the scheme’s central stairs – enveloped by interlocking gold-copper alloy panels of matte, polished and finely-perforated finishing – visitors are greeted by mysterious dark undulating wall surface. Visitors who stride the corner of the sensuous deep blue undulations will find a cunningly concealed joinery of open shelving. Crafted out of a mix of timber and polycarbonate, the shelves run the north-western perimeter of the open working space here – a skilful application of aesthetics met with practicality.
Through a measured and masterful consolidation of design elements and strategies, the designer has developed and delivered a scheme to suit their client’s precise intent. The final result is a sleek and refined corporate interior that evokes a sense of timelessness that is accentuated by well-crafted and curated details.
Text by: Shyn Cheah
Mantab Workplace Bangsar Malaysia - a complete internal overhaul of an existing bungalow for a locally-based property development company. The design brief was unusual: to create a series of spaces within the building to suit a variety of purposes that ranged from business to social. Thus, the designer was presented the opportunity to revise and challenge the norms of an office typology. The excitingly new programme was to include offices for the company’s three directors as well as for art collection and numerous leisure spaces for hosting clients. With a diverse, unprecedented brief in hand, the designer set out to refit and transform the 1980’s bungalow to the client’s vision.
Working in accordance to the brief, the designers strove to develop a scheme that was based on the bungalow’s existing structure and footprint. In place within its basic frame is a dexterous play of juxtaposed cantilevering volumes and contrasting interior elements. Contrasts was a key design strategy employed by the designers. A strong theme of bold yet methodical contrasts, or as the designers put it: “intentional mismatches”, is evident throughout, as articulated in the design’s volumetric handling of spaces as well as the contrasting play of colours, textures and surfaces in its material and finishes schematics.
One such instance of this “mismatch” is upon first encounter with the building. Looming high over the quiet suburban street are the building’s top two levels. These two floors are prominent and luminously cast in bright titanium. Inspired by the Malaysian shophouse vernacular of folding iron shutters, the gold-copper alloy folding panels are hinged and operable. Once shut, the long and broad panes of glossy and matte- finished triangulations make way for a spaciously-appointed lounge beyond, concealed behind its tall facade. Flanking these opulent and glimmering surfaces to the left is a slighter single timber-clad volume. This marks the main entrance and balances the entirety of the façade’s composition. Noticeably marked by its contrasting size, the cantilevering box is clad with locally sourced recycled timber. The protrusion was designed for dramatic effect. “We wanted to create an immersive volume in which to heighten one’s sense and experience of space to highlight their entry into the building,” the designers note.
Within, the designer has deftly incorporated an interplay of volumes and finely customised details. Hovering over the double-height lounge space are the glass-encased directors’ offices. Generously washed with natural light, the offices and lounge are cast in a soft, warm glow. Along the south-western edge of the building, the designers have incorporated an outdoor green terrace – dubbed the “bamboo terrace” – on the first floor. In doing so, nature and the outdoors are a subtle feature that complements the scheme’s sleek corporate interior.
The designer has striven to balance the project’s hybrid brief. The division of spaces are carefully considered, as were the design strategies and elements involved in this. For the centrally-positioned conference room on the white epoxy-floored first level, the room is surrounded by heavy but lush emerald green privacy drapes. Left open when not in use, the curtains provide a flexible use of space that opens up the heart of the level rather than further segmenting it. On its borders are a pair of slender-framed, arched translucent screens. These further aid in framing the open space. Uniquely designed and detailed for the scheme, these acrylic panels of varying soft neon hues are encased in a thin black steel frame that double up as feature display shelves and add visual interest and depth to the space when viewed from different orientation derive different outcome, at times stacking of multi-layer colors or silhouette of translucent colour foreground merged with the background surrounding materials and finishes.
The designers’ experimental play of joinery detail here is reprised in the level above. Upon ascending the scheme’s central stairs – enveloped by interlocking gold-copper alloy panels of matte, polished and finely-perforated finishing – visitors are greeted by mysterious dark undulating wall surface. Visitors who stride the corner of the sensuous deep blue undulations will find a cunningly concealed joinery of open shelving. Crafted out of a mix of timber and polycarbonate, the shelves run the north-western perimeter of the open working space here – a skilful application of aesthetics met with practicality.
Through a measured and masterful consolidation of design elements and strategies, the designer has developed and delivered a scheme to suit their client’s precise intent. The final result is a sleek and refined corporate interior that evokes a sense of timelessness that is accentuated by well-crafted and curated details.
Text by: Shyn Cheah
Malaysia
Australia
Hong Kong SAR
Indonesia
New Zealand
Philippines
Singapore
