ZONE 5
BUKIT BINTANG SYNOPSIS
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1
Merlin Hotel
Current: Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Located at Jalan Dewan Bahasa, Bukit Petaling, Kuala Lumpur, the building houses the governmental body named “Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP)” who is responsible for the coordination and use of the Malay Language, Malay-language literature in Malaysia and also the production of talented local novelists.
Menara Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, designed and built by Lee Yoon Thim, Y. T. Lee & Co. is a newer tower built next to its predecessor, the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. Completed in 1962, this tower is also designed by architect Lee Yoon Thim, Y. T. Lee & Co. It is widely known for its mosaic tile mural on the building facade created by artist En. Ismail bin Mustam. In 1997, the construction of the new Menara Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka commenced and was completed in 2003. Today, the official name of the building is known as Menara Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka and still serves as an office building. The building was declared a heritage site under the National Heritage Act 2005.
The design of the Menara Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka is categorised as modern architecture which was a leading architectural style in the 1950s to 1980s. Built in the late 20th century, long after the style was out of fashion, it was specifically used in the design of the building to complement the architectural style of the old Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka which was a “Post-Merdeka” Modernism building located right next to it to this day.
Modern architecture characteristics of the building can be seen from the use of modern materials and simplistic design of the entirety of the building. The design is characterised by horizontal and vertical lines created from glass panels which in turn provided ample amounts of natural lighting to the interior as well as provided a breathtaking view of the Kuala Lumpur skyline. Ornamentation of the building was also minimal where it’s eye-catching feature - the butterfly roof - brought a simple yet unique twist to the building’s identity.
Today, Menara Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka of Kuala Lumpur is the main headquarters of many branches of its offices around Malaysia. Housing the governmental body named “Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP)”, it is tasked with the important role of collecting, archiving and publishing strictly local literary works. Till this day, they still honour their policy of preserving the Malay language and continue to spread the national language of Malaysia through literature.
Prepared by
Ar. Nurul Alia Ahamad
Siew Chooi Yien
2
Getah Asli Building
Current: Bangunan Getah Asli
3
Australian High Commison KL
The Australian High Commision KL building was completed in 1978. Located at No 6, Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, the building houses the Australian High Commission, that provides consular assistance for Australians in Malaysia, passport, visa, citizenship, migration and notarial services. This building is designed by the architects Joyce Nankivell Associates and Leong Thian dan Rakan-rakan. After a construction period of 30 months, the building was opened on 12th June 1978, housing the Australian High Commission that was relocated from the Great Eastern Building on Jalan Ampang.
The building presented a strong visual imagery that was seen to represent a contemporary Australian language and yet blending into the future surrounding environment (believed at that stage to be large scale commercial developments). Constructed primarily of reinforced concrete due to the low cost and accessibility of the material in Malaysia, Joyce Nankivell developed a structural system that dominated the main façade; a technique that they had employed a few years earlier at the Perak Turf Club Grandstand development, also in Kuala Lumpur. The architects highlighted the rhythm of the façade by employing a local sun shading technique; be it at a larger scale to help control heat loading.
The internal space addressed the functional brief of office accommodation, exhibition spaces, and a reception area, however the architects elevated the potentially mundane space by employing a full height atrium to visually connect the five floors of the building. The use of space and light emphasized the prestige nature of the building without overpowering the user who could retreat to more intimately scaled spaces. Today, the building is still utilised as the embassy of Australia in Malaysia and continues to help preserve and protect the relationship between Malaysia and Australia.
Prepared by
Ar. Nurul Alia Ahamad
Yap Ee Ching
4
Wisma Selangor Dredging
Current: Wisma Golden Eagle Realty
5
Wisma Equity
In 1982, the construction of Wisma Equity was completed. The 11-storey office building is situated at the heart of Golden Triangle, located at 150, Jalan Ampang, Kampung Baru, 50450 Kuala Lumpur. Wisma Equity is designed by Hijjas Kasturi, a Singaporean-born Malaysian renowned architect. It was officially opened in 1983 by Dato Elyas bin Omar who was the former Mayor of Kuala Lumpur.
The building is one of the most prominent brutalist buildings constructed in Malaysia, designed and built with exposed concrete. With the approach to create simple, honest, and functional buildings that accommodate the purpose as a commercial office, the building can function optimally by providing column free office space as the structural elements were placed on the exterior, reflecting the style of brutalist architecture. The building has a unique inverted pyramid design where the structure becomes larger as the height increases and appears to defy gravity.
The building comprises several amenities, including food outlets and banking facilities. The public can easily reach Wisma Equity as there is public transportation available such as KLCC RapidKL Station which is just a few minutes’ walk away. Today, the building continues to function as an office building that expresses a strong architectural style of brutalism.
Prepared by
Ar. Nurul Alia Ahamad
Yap Ee Ching
6
Menara Promet
Current: Menara KH
Located at Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, the 36-storey office building, known as Menara KH is strategically located at Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle. It was constructed in the year of 1983. The Menara KH is designed by Hijjas Kasturi & Associates and constructed by Rahulan Zain & Associates. The building was previously known as Belmont Centre, and then as Menara Promet. When it was still known as “Belmont Centre”, it was a building that was abandoned in a poor condition, with steel structure exposed and covered in cement. Then, Promet Construction took over “Belmont Centre” thus, the building was known as Menara Promet. Currently, Menara KH is owned by Kwong Hing Group, a property investment group.
Menara KH was the first building in Malaysia to be built using steel frame construction methods. The design and construction of Menara KH is a big step forward in regards to architectural construction and technology in Malaysia as the construction process was shortened and the efficiency in terms of construction has improved. Menara KH is recognized today due to its modern and sleek design, with the use of black glass for the façade and its simple and clean façade structural design.
Menara KH comprises 5 storeys of retail podiums, 30 floors of offices and a food court, and 4 underground parking levels. One of the key attractions of Menara KH is its rooftop helipad which has been converted into an F&B dining area which enjoys a complete uninterrupted majestic Kuala Lumpur city skyline view.
Prepared by
Ar. Nurul Alia Ahamad
Yap Ee Ching
7
Bangunan MAS
Located at Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur. The 35-storey office building was the former corporate headquarters of Malaysia Airlines (MAS). Built in 1987, this building portrayed a modern style, adapting modern technologies and materials such as concrete, steel and glass. The façade of the building exhibited a clean and simple design where curtain wall and concrete panels are used. The curtain wall provided dramatic views and introduced natural light deep into the interior.
Prepared by
Ar. Nurul Alia Ahamad
Yap Ee Ching
8
Wisma Central
Built in the 1980s, Wisma Central is located at 147, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. It is located at the very heart of Kuala Lumpur, right next to the Petronas Twin Towers and other notable landmarks. The 40-year-old building housed lots for offices and shops. The building was popular for its nightclubs in the 1980s. In the 1990s, its charm was overshadowed by newer and more trendy developments in the area. In 2011, a rejuvenation started to bring the Wisma Central building back to its former glory. Refreshing its look and old pipings and wirings, the Wisma Central is now refreshed with murals and new technology.
Housing a total of 672 units and with a height of 6 floors, the building boasts a modern architectural style. Even with its simple rectangular facade, the architect managed to implement small reminders of the past into the design of the building with its arch-like awning at the entrance of the building even though it has since been upgraded to a new modern style awning during its recent rejuvenation project. The modern architectural style of the building characterised by the simple horizontal and vertical exterior of the building and also the raw exposed building materials in various locations of the building that are not hidden from visitors. The upper floors of the building are lined horizontally with windows facing the city, giving landlords and visitors a good view into the city life below and also provides the building good amounts of natural lighting thus fulfilling the requirements of a modern architectural style.
Today, Wisma Central is slowly evolving into an art hub, providing local artists an outlet to showcase artwork and fashion while inspiring other artists of similar interests to invest in the newly updated “it-place”. Even though it is overshadowed by notable landmarks such as the Petronas Twin Towers and the Four Seasons, creatives are confident that that will only increase the chances of more visitors to the location thus bringing it back to its former glory.
Prepared by
Ar. Nurul Alia Ahamad
Chermayne Chew Jea Myn
9
Federal Hotel
Current: The Federal
Kuala Lumpur
10
Weld Supermarket
Current: The Weld
11
MUI Plaza
Current: Menara Hap Seng
In the mid-1970s, the construction of the building known as Menara Hap Seng today was completed. The 22-storey commercial office building is situated at the golden triangle of Kuala Lumpur, located at 2, Jalan P. Ramlee, Kuala Lumpur, 50250 Kuala Lumpur. Menara Hap Seng is formerly known as MUI Plaza. . The building has undergone a major facelift into today's modern design with a new stunning façade and modern interior design. There are 22 floors in this building including the ground floor but only 21 of these levels comprise corporate suites. The building also has a Podium Auditorium & Conference Centre (PACC), an exhibition gallery located on the first floor and a roof garden. There is also a forecourt with water features, landscaping, 3 levels of alfresco dining, retail outlets and more. The building was built in a modern style with materials such as concrete and glass. The rectilinear form of the building shows a simple and clean design where repetitive modules can be observed on the façade.
Prepared by
Ar. Nurul Alia Ahamad
Yap Ee Ching
12
Wisma MPI / Wisma HLA
Current: Wisma MPL
Completed in 1973, Wisma MPL is located at Jalan Raja Chulan, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, The building is an office complex, consisting of a 19-storey office tower sitting above a 4 storey retail podium block catering to both commercial and retail use. Wisma MPL was designed, built and previously owned by the development company, Malaysia Pacific Corporation, and it was one of the two of the company’s core assets. The building was previously known as Wisma MPI and then as Wisma HLA and finally as Wisma MPL today. Located in a highly desired part of Kuala Lumpur, it is completely equipped with amenities and convenient public transportation.
Designed and built in the 1970s, the building that boasts a magnificent glass and metal looking facade in the heart of the city is categorised as modern architecture. The exterior facade of the building shows the advancement of adapting technology into architecture in that era with creating a steel and glass facade of symmetrical repetitive horizontal and vertical lines.
Wisma MPL’s floor to ceiling glass window facade maximises the panoramic views of Kuala Lumpur city life for each unit of the building. The building’s simple monochromatic and rectangular form plays an important part in the building’s architectural style in its prime.
Prepared by
Ar. Nurul Alia Ahamad
Chermayne Chew Jea Myn
13
Hong Leong Building
Current: Wisma Hong Leong
14
Wisma Lim Foo Yong
Current: Lim Foo Yong Sdn
15
Sungei Wang Plaza
Current: Sungei Wang
16
Wisma Nusantara
Wisma Nusantara is a 15-storey commercial building built in 1970. It is located at Jalan Puncak, Kuala Lumpur and has easy access to various parks, playgrounds, and shopping complexes like Time Square, The Pavilion, Suria KLCC and many more. Moreover, the Raja Chulan Monorail station is within walking distance from the building. This building was designed by Dato’ Ar. Lai Lok Kun, a renowned architect in Malaysia that contributed to shaping the landscape of Kuala Lumpur at the time of Independence and conceived prominent public buildings. This building shows multiple features as a modern style architecture building. The building consists of 15-storey units with various sizes starting from 929 sqft. The building was built around the independence of Malaysia that showed the progress of modernity by using modern building materials like concrete, steel, and glass.
The overall design of Wisma Nusantara is in a modular form and plain surface as façade design. The building’s façade showed a clean and minimalistic appearance with repetition of linear and horizontal grid lines which is a significant characteristic of modern style buildings. Moreover, its honesty to material can be seen with the large area of concrete finishing and large area of glass on its façade. Today, Wisma Nusantara continues to provide well equipped facilities and spacious space to ensure the offices and commercial activities run smoothly. With its strategic location of sitting in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, it would be an ideal location for commercial activity. It would continue to serve the public great and a living evidence of the modern architecture style building in the independence of Malaysia.
Prepared by
Ar. Nurul Alia Ahamad
Siew Chooi Yien
17
Plaza See Hoy Chan
18
Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia
19
Ampang City Plaza
Current: Plaza Ampang City
Plaza Ampang City is a 21-storey commercial high-rise mixed development building located at Jalan Ampang, Kampung Berembang, Kuala Lumpur. The building sits in a strategic location that consists of high density condominiums that lead a large density of crowd and traffic. It is considered as one of the oldest shopping malls in the Ampang area. The building was built by Low Keng Huat Berhad, a subsidiary of the General Corp Berhad. The overall design of Plaza Ampang City is in a geometric form and plain surface as façade design. The building’s façade design showed a clean and minimalistic appearance with repetition of linear and horizontal grid lines which is a significant characteristic of modern style buildings. Some parts of the building façade have a diagonal line design which functions as a supportive structure. Moreover, its attention to materiality can be seen with the large area of concrete finishing and large area of glass as its façade.
Prepared by
Ar. Nurul Alia Ahamad
Siew Chooi Yien
20
Menara Naluri
Current: Menara Atlan
Menara Atlan is an office building located at 161, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. It’s location in one of the prime commercial districts make it highly attractive as an office space due to its convenience in amenities and accessibility. Developed by Atlan Holdings, Menara Atlan was formerly known as Menara Naluri. It is a 23-storey office building with an adjoining 2-storey podium. Fully owned by Atlan Group, it houses office units with a built-up area of 3350 sq ft and more. It is one of the oldest purpose built buildings in the KLCC area reminiscent of Kuala Lumpur’s long standing heritage.
Built in the 1970s, standing on 4.6 acre land in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, Menara Atlan is modern in its design. The adaptation of modern materials such as concrete, glass and steel to the construction of the building creates a simple grid-like facade on the office building. The horizontal and vertical elements consist of mainly glass windows and concrete columns. Adorning all sides of the facade of the Menara Atlan are windows looking out onto the city skyline, the perimeter glass walls create an unobstructed panoramic view of the city and also allows natural lighting into the building itself. The simple rectangular form of the building no doubt shows the importance and significance of the building in its prime back in the day.
Today, after recently undergoing refurbishment in upgrading of the facade, landscape, and amenities for the comfort of its tenants. Menara Atlan proudly counts among its anchor tenants that they still house within its walls, Malaysia’s high profile biotechnology research and development companies and Malaysia’s major telecommunications service providers as well as one of the prime property developer companies.
Prepared by
Ar. Nurul Alia Ahamad
Chermayne Chew Jea Myn
