STRIPES HOTEL

Taylor's University, School of Architecture, Building and Design (SABD), Petaling Jaya

Project idea

Jalan Kamunting, Kuala Lumpur was a main settlement for tin mining during the colonial era. At the end of the 19th century, most of the neighbourhood's buildings which had been constructed from wood and thatch were replaced with "bricks and tiles" as stipulated by the British colonial administration after a devastating flood and fire destroyed the early settlements. This resulted in the area's distinct eclectic shophouse architecture many with five-foot ways, pedestrian walkways unique to the region.

The client, YTL Corporation's very first office was built on the piece of land that the hotel stands. With its individual characteristics of the neighbourhood where 1940s shophouses and decades-old family-owned businesses such as Yut Kee and Ah Loke Tailor still stand, it was a choice location to develop 'Stripes'. The footprint of the tower is set into a row of existing heritage shophouses, creating the framework out of which the new built form rises.

Thus in 2016, the "bricks" was selected again as the main idea and elements for the redevelopment of this area to showcase the local heritage with a touch of modernity whilst complementing the iconic buildings in the vicinity.

The most distinctive feature of the hotel is now its "brick façade", using over 120,000 pcs customised modular brick system that offers both repetition and variety over the 20-storey height building. The "bricks" were specially moulded so that they could be mounted vertically without the use of mortar or cement, with a screening effect achieved by the gaps between the stacked bricks. Each brick was given a coating of mineral paint in a varied range of shades to mimic the natural bricks. Horizontal bands are interspersed throughout the building height to frame the progression of the brick screening and reference the ‘Stripes’ that give the hotel its distinct name and branding.

The full-height brick façade is superimposed over a layer of façade glazing at the hotel rooms, allowing views from the hotel rooms to the city skyline including Petronas Tower and KL Tower. Selected openings are interspersed throughout the building’s frontage, and staggered over single or double story frames. Arrangement of the brick façade is done to tie in with the internal room arrangements, allowing openings and a subtle screening.

The brick façade is also interspersed with aluminium louvre panels which reference traditional windows of the heritage shophouse typology. With the juxtaposition of heritage and contemporary façade, the new design still adheres to principals of sustainable design and passive environmental design strategies for tropical climates. The brick façade provides a form of thermal protection by limiting the solar heat gain on the major west façade besides provides natural ventilation to the podium carparking and escape staircases.

The objectives of 'Stripes' is to provide a unique blend of contemporary design and urban chic by reflecting the history and character of the neighbourhood.

Project description

To house 184 bespoke rooms and suites, 2 restaurants, meetings places and a pool bar

Technical information

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Co-authors

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