THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE & URBANISM (ARC2224) · Theories of Architecture and Urbanism ( ARC2224) 11 Theorizing Architecture: PART 2 : Analyzing and Theorizing Architecture Conclusion

THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE & URBANISM (ARC2224)

PROJECT : THEORIZING ARCHITECTURE

PART 2- ANALYZING AND THEORIZING ARCHITECTURE

Name: Tan Wei Sheng

Student ID: 0307857

Lecturer: Ms. Ida

Submission Date: 22nd June 2015

Theories of Architecture and Urbanism ( ARC2224)

1 Theorizing Architecture: PART 2 : Analyzing and Theorizing Architecture

Introduction

AZRB headquarters located In Kuala Lumpur City Center is a project undertaken

by Team 3 of GDP architects. The building is meant to be an office for the securities

firm. GDP architects has taken a wide range of architectural projects since its

establishment in 1989 The firm takes its design by a collective effort among the team

members itself and each project is approached in a fresh new perspective varying from

typology and client needs.

Situated in the vicinity of the Gombak River AZRB headquarters is separated

from the crowd of high rise offices and commercial buildings by the Gombak River. The

building is surrounded mostly by residential buildings and some commercial buildings.

Due to the site constraints whereby, low cost housing and flats are abundant the

building is designed to stand out but not to overshadow the existing fabric of the

surrounding architecture.

The building began construction during 2010 and completed in 2012. Upon

completion it has received the Malaysian Architecture Association Gold Award for the

Commercial – High Rise category. The building achieved this due to its well-planned

workspace which is desirable to the person using the building and the incorporation of

features which makes it readable and elegant as a whole.

AZRB headquarters demonstrates the ability of the architect to achieve a well-

planned and organized space through a well thought out process during the design

phase and prove the experience of a firm and its resulting impact.



1.0 Architecture Theory – Modernism

Modernism is part of an architecture movement during the 20th century and till

today has its influences on architecture around the world. The adoption of this theory

can be seen throughout the design scheme of the AZRB building. Modernism often has

an notable characteristics when look upon that identifies it as modern architecture.

Diagram 1.1 : Back Elevation

The facade design of the building is free of disorder and unnecessary elements.

Modernist implies that buildings should only contain features which has a functioning

requirement instead of aesthetical values. Facade design of buildings are often stripped

down to showcase the barebones of the buildings. AZRB building has a minimal facade

design which only showcases what is needed and what is happening through the inside

of the building through windows.

Diagram 1.2 : Sectional Perspective



Modernism has a certain characteristics of linearity and horizontality on its

building and designs. Lines are part of the architecture itself and helps defines the

buildings spaces. The scheme of the office has strong elements of bold horizontal and

vertical features on its exterior as well as interior. Beams, posts, cutouts, windows, and

staircases and other elements on the building conforms to linearity. This reinforces the

modernism intention of the building whereby lines often tend to be straight and angled

rather than curved.

Diagram 1.3 : Structural grid

The structural scheme of the building has a resemblance of Le Corbusier's 5

points of architecture. The ground floor plane is lifted up to create a heighten

experience. Pilotis or round columns are the main supports of the building. Horizontal

glass windows are used as the facade of the building. Moreover the facade of the

building is separated from its structure thus, there is an absence in supporting walls.

Modernist often design a building with nothing to hide. The structure of the

building is exposed and encourages the users to see the inner working of the buildings.

Columns are left exposed to the users and other architectural elements as well are left

exposed.



Diagram 1.4 : Natural Lighting

Another key aspect of modern architecture is transparency and open space planning.

These aspects helps allow natural lighting to flush into the building and allowing views

outwards of the building. Prior to modernism, Brutalism was a hit in architecture where

openings are limited and heavy forms of concrete are predominant. This has raise a

problem of workers being too focused on their jobs and not having a healthy experience

inside the building. AZRB tower has floor to ceiling windows along its office spaces

which encourages natural lighting increasing livelihood inside the building.

Diagram 1.5 : Interaction between space



Separation of spaces are done linearly on the building with the usage of

elevators as a connecting method. Although it is clear that the building has a certain

degree of hierarchy of spaces. The spaces has a sense of transparency towards it.

There are no solid walls separating each spaces, instead a open floor plan is adopted,

hence the interior spaces fell open and unconfined. This allows interaction between

users and reduces the level of stress between workers. Everywhere you walk inside

people can see people and have a clear sense of what is going on. Open floor planning

is another criteria whereby modernist architects practice.

2.0 Climate

Climatic responses of a building, has a theoretical aspects towards the building

prior to completion during schematic design. The building has features which are

adapted to respond to climatic issues of the surrounding context.

Diagram 2.1 : Orientation

The building prominent facades are elongated along the northern and southern

axis, while the horizontal facades are elongated along the eastern and western axis.

This allows daylight penetration inwards to the building. Although the longer facades are

facing the eastern and western axis, shading devices are placed on the building to filter

sunlight towards the building. The building is oriented this way due to its land proportion

and the main road which it needs to face.



Diagram 2.2 : Wind Flow

The building has a constant gust of wing flowing through it. Although it does not

primarily uses natural ventilation, There are spaces which are naturally ventilated such

as the services area, verandah and the cafe. These spaces are constantly filled by

users, therefore capturing the prevailing winds onto the building helps reduce the impact

of heating in the building

Diagram 2.3 : Landscaping

A balance of softscape and hardscape is noticeable on the ground floor plane of

the building. The softscape consisting of trees and shrubs helps creates a thermal and

noise barrier between the building and its neighboring context. These inevitably helps

reduce thermal values of the building due to the shading the trees provide on the

western axis on the ground floor of the building.



Diagram 2.4 : Shading Devices

Shading devices which consists of horizontal louvers are place on the western

facade. These helps the building to respond against direct sunlight, hence reducing

glare and heat inside the building. The shading device as well is design in a modernist

approach with minimal ornaments and it is purely for its function.

Diagram 2.5 : Water Feature

A reflective pond is placed in between the exterior and interior of the ground

floor. Besides creating a subtle atmosphere to the building. It responses towards the

climate by creating evaporative cooling around the building, thus reducing temperature

of interior spaces.



3.0 Client's Needs

Every building has a different client behind it and fulfilling the client needs is the

job of an architecture practice. Translating it from words into a build product is a process

which takes time and patience. AZRB tower is a testimonial of how the client's needs

has been translated into a build form

Diagram 3.1 Corporate Identity

Part of the client needs is to incorporate the company's identity into the building

itself. The corporation being a securities firm which is active in the financial and

investment markets, must be seen as a professional and trustworthy company. The bold

lines and the materials used on the exterior and interior of the building helps creates an

image of professionalism where workers are taken care of and environmental benefits

are being done.

Diagram 3.2 Elegance and Sophistication



The brief as well, suggests a need for a elegant and sophisticated space. To

achieve this, the architect choose a range of materials which has a sense of elegance.

Stainless steel, glass, aluminum, white marble, and travertine walls are used not to

mention the details done towards shading devices which has multiple layers of detailing

with enhance sophistication.

3.2 Open Work Environment

Work environment is an integral part of how a company can be perceived by

others. The typical typology of a cubicle office has been eliminated by the architect,

instead a open space office with high ceilings and a central atrium is proposed as part

of the scheme. This not only enhance the working experience but also helps fulfill the

vision of the corporation.

Diagram 3.3 Spaces Requirements



Spaces are arranged in a hierarchal manner which helps the user navigate the

interior spaces with ease. Main circulation are centered along the atrium which are the

main space for interaction and commuting form level to level. The office area meanwhile

are situated in the area which faces the road which helps mitigate views for the users

and mitigate the problem of the cubicle office. The board and directors room are, placed

in the centre and has a circular form which captures the views of the surrounding while

encouraging transparency between workers of the corporation.

Diagram 3.4 Views

The penthouse located on the upmost floor of the building is part of a special

request from the clients side. It houses the workspace for the directors of the

corporation. There are 3 rooms each with their private balconies and amenities. Views

are given a priority, the location of the building centered in the city centre the views of

the directors rooms are facing the twin towers and the financial district of Kuala Lumpur.

The room as well has a heighten sense of elegance and sophistication due to the

materiality scheme proposed by the architect.



Conclusion

Throughout the analytical study of AZRB tower by GDP architects . A few

theories can be theorize from their architecture and the influence taken into account

throughout the design process . Modernism can be seen as a main influential syndrome

taken from the architects. Often the projects done by the architect has characteristics

taken from the modern movement. From the form to its minute details the architect has

planned it all from the beginning. Climatic response are natural aspects every architect

must take care of. Various scheme and implementation of design has been thought out

from the architect to respond the climatic conditions of the site and the building has

responded towards it by various manners. Furthermore the critical study on how the

architect translates the client needs into a building is really thoughtful and successful.

The project is a statement of how the architect managed to theorized meaningful

thoughts and translate it into a building which is lively and healthy.



References

1. Architecture Malaysia. (2012). Offices - Served and Servants (pp, 19 -23).

Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia

2. New Straits Times. ( 2012, September 16), Archives, NST online\

Retrieved from

http://dev.nst.com.my/node/52695?d=1

3. Completed Projects, Kuala Lumpur ( 2012 )

Retrieved from

http://www.gdparchitects.com/projects/category/office/menara-AZRB.html

4. Sbriglio,J. (1999) . Le Corbusier ( pp. 38-45). Basel: Birkhauser Verlag

5. Kennenth Frampton (2007). Modern architecture: A critical history. Thames and

Hudson

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THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE & URBANISM (ARC2224) · Theories of Architecture and Urbanism ( ARC2224) 11 Theorizing Architecture: PART 2 : Analyzing and Theorizing Architecture Conclusion