Park In The Sky - Mixed-use Development

University of Science, Malaysia (USM), School Of Housing, Building And Planning (HBP), Architecture Department. Minden, Penang

Project idea

As population grows, societies have to choose constructing high-rise buildings as a solution (Yeang and Llewelyn, 2008). Thus, to address the mitigation measures to alleviate the ecological footprint, this project attempts to nurture the culture of co-living and co-sharing where resources are shared and wastage is minimized by stimulating social collaborations and activities in both horizontal and vertical urban sprawl.

By rethinking how our forefathers being self-sufficient in their daily lives, the design proposal aims to develop and cultivate a solid interconnection and interdependence between humans, building and ecosystem. It is designed with the greatest capacity to stimulate a dynamic and symbiotic relationship between them.

Hence, ‘The Path’ is proposed to interweave the existing pedestrian footprint into the building in order to promote social activities among the end users and existing community. The paths are meticulously articulated with the considerations of public and private zoning, exclusiveness, vertical and horizontal physical connectivity, functions, views. etc.

As a mixed-use development, ‘The Path’ would express its viability not only to shelter and workspace, but also a series of social nexus and collaborations, diverse arrays of leisure, cultural and economic activities, and connection to the ecosystem as collective living. It is envisioned as a self-sufficient interactive environment where resources are shared and functions are connected.

Project description

The design brief calls for a high-rise mixed-use complex with combination of offices with commercial podium and public amenities which can fulfill the vertical urban sprawl. The offices can be a combination of SOHO, flexible office spaces as well as public spaces in the sky. The challenge is to envision the new norm of the workplace in a high-rise mixed development setting. The emphasis should be on the exploration of working environment that is resilient and futuristic. The site is located at Persiaran Bayan Indah, Bayan Lepas, Penang on a 4 acre site.

Technical information

The building is designed to achieve green building status with low energy consumption and sensitive to other green issues. Several sustainable integrations including urban regenerations, water efficiency system such as rainwater harvesting system and grey water recycling system, diagrid structural high-rise facade system, etc. are meticulously crafted into the design, to further compose the design proposal into a more holistic and self-sustaining scheme.