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Tamil Methodist Church
The Tamil Methodist Church has had a long history, being the 3rd Methodist church to be built in Malaysia. The cornerstone of the church was laid by British Resident Conway Belfield at Malacca Street, Kuala Lumpur in September 1899. The building was dedicated on March 11th 1900 and served the church for 60 years, with the church being relocated after. Presently, Malacca Street is recognised as Jalan Ampang and the site is currently occupied by Menara Bank Muamalat. The move of the old Tamil Methodist Church occurred in 1960 and was initiated when the land was requested by the government for development. A new site was given in exchange, and that was a plot of land along Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad, Brickfields, where the church stands to this day. The foundation of the stone for the church standing on Jalan Abdul Samad was laid by Reverend S.S. Pakianathan on January 22nd, 1961. It is presumed that the church was completed in early May 1961 as the building was dedicated by Bishop H. B. Amstutz on the 6th of May.
Being built in 1960, Tamil Methodist Church Brickfield’s architecture style is heavily influenced by the Mid-Century Modernist (MCM) style that was popular from the 1930s to the 1960s. Its simple and clean triangular appearance aligns with the modernist aesthetic of using clean lines and geometrical shapes in their designs. Adding to that, the main face of the building is made from light coloured stone and has long slim windows, showing the exploration of different materials used.
In around 2014, the century-old Tamil Methodist Church announced that it was planning on embarking on a redevelopment project in order to grow along with its growing congregation and activities. Rest assured, the main A-frame building would not be touched for its heritage value and the new building would be behind it. The proposed Tamil Methodist Church KL Community Centre (TMC) will be a five-storey building facing Jalan Thambypillai and connected to the rear of the existing church. The estimated total cost of the proposed building is RM35mil, accommodating a carpark, bookshop, cafe and various other spaces for church activities.
Prepared by
Ar. Nurul Alia Ahamad & Ms. Delliya Mohd. Zain
Cheah ZiTing Eunice
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Marble Jade Mansion Flat
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TNB Headquarter Sdn Bhd
Current: TNB Headquarter
Completed in 1966, the Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) Headquarters sits as a prominent landmark on its hilltop site overlooking the Pantai Valley. Located at No. 129, Jalan Bangsar 59200, Kuala Lumpur, Tenaga Nasional is the only electric utility company in Peninsular Malaysia and is also the largest publicly listed power company in Southeast Asia with its core activities being the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity.
Designed and built in the mid-1960s by LLN Architects Department, the building was then officiated by the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman in 1966 and currently houses the main departments of the TNB including the computer section as well as the library. Built into the 1960s, the TNB Headquarters and its distinctive honeycomb facade showcases a strong influence of the International Style, an architectural style that developed mainly in Germany, Holland and France in the 1920s. The popularisation of the style’s sleek “modern” look, absence of decoration and use of steel and glass, gained its fame between 1955 and 1970, during corporate modernism, which then greatly influenced the design of the TNB building.
As we traverse the point of focus of the facade of the building, it is faced with a honeycomb sunscreen which also serves as a load-bearing component. Besides that, a free-standing spiral staircase rises through the entire height of the building and the front entrance is also dominated by a 120-foot long fountain. Hence, the building’s rectilinear form is completely devoid of applied ornamentation, and the reinforcement of modern materials such as its extensive use of concrete in the building’s support and overall construction make it stand as a pioneer of the International Style in Malaysia. As of now, the iconic facade of the TNB Headquarters building remains unchanged with its honeycomb design despite undergoing several refurbishments throughout the years. Besides being an architectural icon, the TNB Headquarters also stands as an important historical landmark in Malaysia to remind Malaysians about how electricity was first brought into the country. That being said, it is not only a symbol of national advancement but a great asset of today.
Prepared by
Ar. Nurul Alia Ahamad & Ms. Delliya Mohd. Zain
Erin Kong Shue Men
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TNB Generation Building Bangsar
Current: TNB Generation Building
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TNB Property Services Department
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Residential College Students UNIKL/ Kolej Kediaman YPM, Universiti Malaya
Current: Kolej Kediaman Siswa,
Universiti Kuala Lumpur
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The China Press Bangsar
Current: Akhbar Harian China Press Berhad
In the year of 1976, the construction of Akhbar Harian China Press Berhad was completed. Located at Jalan Bukit Pantai, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, the building is the headquarters of the China Press and it aimed to increase the rate of production of the newspaper. Akhbar Harian China Press Berhad was previously known as The China Press Bangsar and officially became the main headquarter of the ChinaPress in the year 1995. The company was set up by Tun H.S Lee and with his leading, China Press has become an icon on its own.
Design and built around 1976, brutalism has portrayed on this building as it was built on the period mark economic decay thus, architects tend to design heavy-duty buildings that would be relatively easy to maintain while still providing a strong nationalistic metaphor. The main building of Akhbar Harian China Press Berhad is a three-level office building with the design of exposed bricks inside and out and a predominantly monochrome colour palette. This building has the characteristic of a massive ‘blocky’ appearance followed by a huge printing factory at the back of the office building. To allow ventilation and natural light into the office, the building provides a row of casement windows with white exterior cornice.
Today, Akhbar Harian China Press Berhad continues to serve its purpose of being one of the largest newspaper printing headquarters in Malaysia to continue the aim of distributing the latest news to the community of Malaysia. The building continues to stand strong and with the addition of maintenance, the durability of the building can be enhanced, continuing to serve its purpose.
Prepared by
Ar. Nurul Alia Ahamad & Ms. Delliya Mohd. Zain
Phang Shuen
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Pantai Medical Centre
Current: Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur
Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur (PHKL) is a medical centre established by Parkway Pantai Ltd., a medical company based in Singapore. Being one of the largest healthcare providers in Klang Valley, PHKL is strategically located in the city centre, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur and has been serving since 1974. When it was first established, PHKL started small with only 68 medical beds and 20 medical specialists, all fitting in one hospital block, which is currently Block B. It has since built a long-standing reputation in Malaysia and undergone 2 expansions.
In the first expansion, 2 blocks were added (Block B &C), upgrading its buildings to house 331 beds and 180 medical specialists. In 2012, construction work on the second expansion for a new 12-story block (Block A) started, which would increase the number of beds in the hospital to 450 and the number of clinics to 200. This expansion was overseen by BCT ARCHITECT SDN BHD and the main contractors were AL-AMBIA SDN BHD. The construction was completed in 2015. The architecture style of the building is observed to be a mix of international & Industrial styles. The hospital buildings present themselves in several rectilinear forms, devoid of any ornamentation, with only windows decorating their surfaces.
During the expansion done in 2012, the project was initially designed as a conventional beam-slab cast in situ construction. Halfway through the expansion process, JTK Consult (JTK) was sourced to assess a problem that occurred, which was the cracking of beams during construction. The intended use of the RC slab was changed and precast hollow-core construction was adapted.
Having served the Malaysian Public for almost 50 years, PHKL is considered one of the pioneer private hospitals and the medical centre of choice for local and international patients looking for private healthcare services. With its growing reputation and offers on various medical specializations, PHKL aspires to be a global player in the medical tourism industry.
Prepared by
Ar. Nurul Alia Ahamad & Ms. Delliya Mohd. Zain
Cheah ZiTing Eunice
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Bangsar Mosque
(Masjid Abu Bakr As-Siddiq)
Current: Masjid Saidina Abu Bakar As-Siddiq
Masjid Saidina Abu Bakar As-Siddiq (MSABA) is a bold and eye-catching mosque in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The mosque was named after Caliph Abu Bakr Abdullah ibn Uthman, Muhammad’s successor. On November 27th 1977, the idea of building a mosque was approved by the Federal Territory of Islamic Religious Council after receiving numerous requests from the residents in Bangsar. The project was taken by the government and placed under the 3rd Malaysian 5-year plan, and the plans for the construction and designs started in 1979. The mosque had been designed by Malaysia’s renowned architect, Dato' Ar. Hj Hajeedar bin Hj Abdul Majid and his firm, Hajeedar and Associates Sdn. Bhd.
The site for Masjid Saidina Abu Bakar As-Siddiq was officially given to the contractor on 18th July 1980. On the 24th of August, the direction of the qibla was consented by The Mufti of the Federal Territories, S.S. Datuk Sheikh Abdul Mohsein bin Haji Salleh, and levelling of the ground officially started in September of the same year. MSABA was completed and officially handed over to the government on the 29th of March 1982, and it was officiated by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ahmad Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar on 15 July 1982.
The mosque incorporates the common architectural elements derived from Islamic Architecture while giving some of the elements a modern twist. It also adopts an open-air concept, allowing air to flow into the mosque, sufficiently ventilating the area meant for thousands. The final look of the mosque presents itself with a simple and monolithic yet grand appearance. The doors were made from hardwood, and ornamentations/motifs were modernised with Islamic patterned holes carved between the motifs. The minaret stands at 43.3m tall, ending with a golden roof, resembling a golden folded umbrella, complementing the golden onion-shaped dome on the square plan flat roof, spanning 16.6m wide and with a height of 24m. Originally designed to fit up to 3500 people, Masjid Saidina Abu Bakar As-Siddiq has since undergone expansion in 2009and 2010 to accommodate 500 more people. Today, MSABA stands in its imposing grandeur in Bangsar as an example of a modern mosque built in the 1980s. It has served as the “temporary” National Mosque of Malaysia while renovation works were done to the National Mosque. Its unique architectural design for a religious building has inspired other works such as the Maldives National Mosque, as well as other prominent mosques in Kuala Lumpur such as Masjid Saidina Omar al-Khattab and Masjid Saidina Uthman ibn Affan.
Prepared by
Ar. Nurul Alia Ahamad & Ms. Delliya Mohd. Zain
Cheah ZiTing Eunice
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Sri Wangsaria
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International Languages Teacher Training Institute (IPBA)
Current: Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Bahasa Antarabangsa
Located at Taman Bukit Pantai, Kuala Lumpur, Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Bahasa Antarabangsa is one of the twenty-seven teacher training institutes and colleges under the administration of the Teacher Education Division, Ministry of Education, Malaysia.
This building is previously known as International Languages Teacher Training Institute (IPBA) serves the purpose of providing training and accreditation for both preservice and in-service teaching in the context of gaining certificates, diplomas and qualifications in learning and teaching in English. Besides English, the building is also a study centre for other international languages, Social Studies, Mathematics and Visual Art programs. The campus also consists of two blocks of hostels for the students.
The design of Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Bahasa Antarabangsa is categorised as Brutalist architecture as can conclude as the building has the appearance of rigid geometric style and the construction is massive and heavy which made the campus to be easy to maintain, relatively inexpensive to build in yet still providing strong nationalistic metaphor. The building is protected by a series of vertical concrete sun shading devices with a series of windows to provide shades to the building while allowing ventilation. The concrete louvres also act as vertical support to the building which fulfilled the concept of inside-out concept of Brutalist architecture. Today, Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Bahasa Antarabangsa is still one of the institutions of higher learning under the Ministry of Education Malaysia. Some of the classrooms and labs are refurbished to continue providing services to students.
Prepared by
Ar. Nurul Alia Ahamad & Ms. Delliya Mohd. Zain
Phang Shuen
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Wisma Angkasapuri
Current: Angkasapuri (Wisma RTM)
Angkasapuri, also known as Wisma RTM, is the main governmental building for Malaysia’s Ministry of Information. The building is located in Bukit Putera, between Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya district. It comprises approximately 33 acres, and sits 80ft above the Federal Highway, looking over Pantai Valley. In the early ’50s, the Malaya first started its radio broadcasting activities in a studio in Jalan Young (now known as Jalan Cenderasari). The studio was a temporary set-up and was moved multiple times for 15 years before finally settling into Angkasapuri in1969. Television services were introduced to Malaysia on the 28th of December 1963 and also moved from its initial studio into Angkasapuri. Radio and television broadcasting services were merged under the Ministry of Information and officially moved into Angkasapuri. It began its first telecast on the 6th of October 1969.
Built during the post-independence era of Malaysia, Angkasapuri started its construction in 1966, being led by Canadian architect Nicholas James Pappas, and completed in 1968. On the 17th of February 1968, Tunku Abdul Rahman, the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, was at the Malaysian Broadcasting Center “Angkasapuri”, to officiate its opening. Widely recognised by its repetitive spade-covered facade, Angkasapuri is famous for its unique architecture, mixing international style and Malay architectural influences into its design. The mixture of architectural designs was a means to adapt the modernity of international architecture into Malaysia while also adapting to the hot and humid local climate, hence the liberal use of grilles and louvres which were means of keeping the building cooler. The choice of materials used for the construction of the building was glass and Terrazzo precast concrete which acts as a shield from the intense Malaysian heat. The overall construction consisted of 6 main buildings and was built in 2 stages. The first stage involved the construction of a 10 storey office block, a 3 storey entrance hall and a 1 storey service building; the second stage consisted of a 3 storey radio house, 2 blocks of 6 storey office towers for the programming and administration departments and an engineering building. In 2012, Wisma Berita RTM containing RTM’s newsroom was added to the Angkasapuri building. To this day, Angkasapuri continues to be an icon of architecture in Malaysia.
Prepared by
Ar. Nurul Alia Ahamad & Ms. Delliya Mohd. Zain
Cheah ZiTing Eunice
