Menara Tabung Haji Case Study

MENARA TABUNG HAJI Architectural Culture and History 2ARC60203

Melissa Lim Li Lin - 0322680 Lovie Tey Yiqing - 0318155 Ng Ee Shiung - 0314228 Nur Zaliqal bt Zaher - 0317121 Nge Jia Chen - 0317738

MENARA TABUNG HAJI - ARC60203 �1

Content

1. Introduction —————————————————————————————- Pg 3

2. Site Context Analysis ( Melissa Lim 0322680)——————————————— Pg 4

3. Architectural Layout of Building (Lovie Tey 0318155 )———————————— Pg 18

4. Architecture Site Analysis (Ng Ee Shiung 0314228 )———————————— Pg 23

5. Building, Construction, Structure and Materials Analysis (Nur Zaliqal 0317121)- Pg 25

6. Architectural Elements / Component Analysis (Nge Jia Chen 0317738)———— Pg 27

7. Conclusion —————————————————————————————— Pg 40

8. Reference —————————————————————————————— Pg 41


Introduction LUTH Building (Lembaga Urusan Tabung Haji) is located at Jalan Tun Razak in

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is the headquarters for the Malaysian Muslim Pilgrim’s

Management Fund. The building functions as an office building for the Muslim Pilgrim’s

Management Fund(LUTH). Furthermore, it is a prominent landmark in Kuala Lumpur and

a symbol of the development of Islam. Construction began in 1982 with Tun Dr. Mahathir

Mohamad laying the foundation stone of the building. This project with a budget of RM95

Million completed in 1984.

The form of the building resembles a traditional Malay drum and has Islamic influences

which suits the function of the building. The Islamic architectural elements includes the

Five Pillars of Islam shown in the façade by five non-structural pillars. This 152m tall

building consists of 38 floors mainly for the offices and car park area. In front of the

building, there is also a cone-shaped mosque designed together with the building. The

architect of the building is the famous Hijjas Kasturi which has built many buildings and

skyscrapers in Malaysia such as Menara Maybank and Menara Alor Star. The concept

used are simplicity, discipline and unity which are the three ideas emphasised in Islam.


Site Context AnalysisSite plan:

Landscape at LUTH building


Landscape at LUTH building

Canna Musafolio and Alternanthera(purple and green)

Canna Musafolio and Alternanthera(purple and green)


Palm Trees

Coconut Trees


Landscape

The landscape of the building area is mainly at the entrance of the building

where there are trees planted along the walkway to the main door. Shrubs and bushes

can also be seen. The trees along the walkway are palm trees. There are also coconut

trees. The lower plants consists of Canna Musafolio and Alternanthera.

Building accessibility

The main door is as shown in the picture above. There is a motorcycle

parking space in front of the building. After parking one’s motorcycle, one can walk the

centre stairs towards the main door. For drivers, they can park their car in the interior

parking space located at few lower floors of the building. The interior parking space can be

accessed from the back of the building through a ramp. One can also get to the Tabung

Haji building by public transport such as taxi, bus, LRT and train. The bus service usually

used is the RapidKL bus which stops at the bus stop in front of the building. When taking

the train, one needs to stop at the Kl Sentral stop and continue with LRT, bus or taxi. One

should take the LRT towards Gombak that stops at Ampang Park which is a 6minutes

walk to the Tabung Haji building. From KLCC, there is a free service to Citibank at Jalan

Ampang which is an 8 minute walk to the Tabung Haji building.


!

Bus Stop in front of LUTH Building

Walkway along LUTH Building


Surrounding facilities

Other than offices and parking lot inside the building, there are other facilities inside

the building such as media rooms, shops, halls and cafeterias. Within a walking distance

about 100 to 200m, there are many restaurants available such as Gazebo, Koong Jung

Restaurant, 10 Binjai and PnB Darby Café. In the neighbouring building G Tower, there

are a variety of cuisines from NZ Curry House, Rakuzen (Japanese), Tanzini and the

beautiful Bridge Bar. Inside the LUTH building, there is an ATM machine for Bank Islam

whereas in the neighbouring building, Menara PNB, there are ATM machines for CIMB

Bank and Maybank.


Bridge Bar, G Tower

It is convenient for Muslim workers or visitors of LUTH building as there is a

mosque right outside of the building for daily prayers. The mosque is most used for Friday

prayers where it can be occupied by up to 600 people. In cases where Masjid Tabung Haji

is full, users can head to the next nearest mosque, Masjid As-Syakirin which is a 11

minute walk or 6 minute drive away. Drivers can also refill their oil tank at the petrol

stations nearby which are Caltex, Petron and Esso.


Masjid Tabung Haji

Entertainment and recreation nearby include the KL City Park, TGV

Cinemas, Petrosains and shopping malls such as Petronas Twin Towers and Suria KLCC.

Jalan Tun Razak is also home to many embassy buildings of countries such as Mexico,

Czech Republic, Hungary, United States, Japan and many more up to a total of 24

embassies in Jalan Tun Razak and nearby it. There are also hotels nearby such as The

Zone, Intercontinental KL and G Tower Hotel.


Comparison in Jalan Tun Razak

The Tabung Haji building was completed in 1984. It is considered modern at

it’s time of construction as the form of the building is circular and curved. However, other

modern buildings have been built at Jalan Tun Razak such as G Tower which has many

advanced technologies such as hydronic chilled beams, thermal storage tank and many

more as part of its sustainable design. Therefore, the LUTH building is currently lacking in

that area. Unlike other buildings, it has a more religious approach. The building features

the word “Allah” on top and at the entrance. Similar to a lot of buildings at Jalan Tun

Razak is its function. Most buildings in Jalan Tun Razak such as Menara PNB and Menara

Tan and Tan also functions as an office building. The building is one of the many

skyscrapers along the main road of Jalan Tun Razak.

Climate

The sun path is from east to west which is from the front of the building to

the back. Therefore, spaces at the front of the building will receive the morning sun. The

back and sides of the building will not receive too much sunlight as there are other

skyscrapers nearby such as G Tower, PNB Perdana Hotel & Suites and the PNB building.

Therefore the front of the building will receive the most sunlight. Throughout the year, the

building will receive about 6 to 8 hours of daily sunshine. However, for most of the time of

the year, the building will receive about 8 hours of sunlight daily.


In Malaysia, there are 2 seasons which is the wet and dry season. During

the wet season which is from November to March, it usually rains often especially in

November. The rainy days can reach up to 20 days a month with total rainfall of about 12

inches. However, rain or heavy downpours can happen even in the dry season on some

mornings. The dry seasons are usually from May to September with little rain. The driest

month is June with about 10 rainy days a month of around 4 inches of rainfall.


The dry and wet seasons correspond to the two monsoon seasons. The dry

season is also when the Northeast monsoon happens and the wet season is when the

Southwest monsoon happens. The wind direction and intensity differs every month during

the monsoon seasons. The wind source, wind direction, wind intensity and rainfall affects

the average temperature every month. With no significant differences, the highest

temperature throughout the year ranges from 32 to 34⁰C and the lowest temperature

ranges from 23 to 25⁰C.





Architectural Layout of Building

Tabung Haji building clearly portrays as one of the signifiant Islamic Building which

compiles the principles of Islamic Architecture in Malaysia.The Tabung Haji Building has

an area of 55.7k square meters. For this building, the mosque is separated from the

building itself, which is quite special as most of the mosque or prayer’s room will be

located inside of the building. At the early use of the building, the mosque can only be

access by the staffs that are working in the building itself for daily prayers. However, this

mosque had been made accessible for the nearby muslim pedestrians on every Friday as

no mosque is situated at Jalan Tun Abdul Razak.


From the floor plan and elevation of the building, it is clearly portrayed that

symmetrical balance in both the horizontal plane and vertical plane. When the vertical axis

is placed in the pictures, formal balance is clearly shown and there is a strong emphasis

on the centre axis. Hence, it is clearly shown that the building is balanced as a complete

structure.

The building consists of five columns which symbolise the five pillars of Islam

which is ‘Shahada’. ‘ Salat’, ‘ Zakat’, ‘ Fasting’, and ‘Hajj’’. On the other hand, it also act

as a support structure for the building itself. One of the fun fact for the building is, you can

only see a pillar from one point. This is believe and implies that the iman and the faith of

the believer is not something to be showed around and proud of, but to be proud of it by

the believer themselves in their heart.


From the floor plans , it is clearly shown that the architect, Hijjas Kasturi used consistency

when designing the building. This building is constructed in a hourglass shape, and

circular geometry shape is used to construct the floor plan of the building. The geometrical

floor plans of the building showed a simplistic yet elegant expression of the tradition in

Islamic art. The concept of circular concave curve acts as a symbol of the revolution and

modern approach in architecture


Tabung Haji Building’s carpark is made up of circular circulation whereas every

floor acted as a ramp. The carpark uses one-way-in and one-way-out to ensure that there

is no congestion in traffic when the user is inside the building. At the same time, the

architect applies the uses of ‘veil/hijab’ for the carpark whereas the building user can see

but cannot be seen. This is used to give a more privacy situation towards the building and

it helps to keep a sense of secretive to the outsider.


The Tabung Haji building consists of 27 office floors, which is known as the lower

zone office, middle zone office as well as the upper floor office. The building consists of 7

levelof carpark, 2 levels of service room, 2 multi-purpose room which acts as counters,

lobby, cafeteria, and convention hall.


151.

83m

Architectural Site Analysis“The Hour Glass" form is something new but as a sculptural symbol, it represents

the spiritual enlightenment promised by the pilgrimage" - Hijjaz Kasturi

Contrary to local popular

belief, the Tabung Haji Building

was not inspired by traditional

Malay drums but actually takes

the form from an hour glass. It

symbolizes the progressive

movement of Islam in Malaysia as

a cultural centre and growing

economy.

Modern but subtle lines are

the primary elements in the main

design of the building as it follows

the tradition of Islamic art which

exhibits simplistic expression. The

curve that concave as it goes

upwards signifies the progression

and modernization of its approach

in architecture. The use of

predominantly white colors for the

building shows the purity of Islam while the windows are tinted black to reduce heat of the

interior due the hot climate of Malaysia. Shapes and symbols pertaining to Islamic faith is

implemented all over both the exterior and interior of the building. Concrete and glass is

the main construction materials used for the building due to its cost and effectiveness.

One of the more shining example of design feature of the building is the word

“ALLAH” carved in Jawi on the top of the building. By placing the carving on the centre

and top of the building symbolises unity by the conduct of worship which is demanded by

Allah swt.


While most of the buildings in Kuala Lumpur shows a more modern and emerging

style of architecture that takes a departure from a more traditional style of design, such as

the Pavillion KL, The Gardens, or Starhill Gallery, Haji Tabung Building took a different

approach by combining the traditional elements of old with modern and simplistic designs

of new. This gives a new identity to the cityscape of Kuala Lumpur that many other

buildings are starting to follow such as the Maybank Tower, National Library, and Petronas

Twin Towers.

National identity has always been one of the main points for Malaysian after the

Malaysian Independence. As such, Malaysian artistic movement after independence

heavily involve traditional Malaysian design elements. Tabung Haji building was built

according to that philosophy.


Building, Construction , Structure and Material Analysis

According to the architect, Hijjaz Kasturi said that the Tabung Haji building has a

shape of an hourglass, which was something new and sculptural. It was also used to

represent the spiritual enlightenment promised by the pilgrimage.

The main materials that were used in this building were glass, steel and concrete.

The Tabung Haji building was amongst the first buildings in Malaysia to be constructed

using the Precast Concrete System. The used of concrete has shown as one of the

characteristics of modern buildings. The use of this system was predicated by the unique

design of a double curvature, which resulted in every floor to be different. During that era

as well, this building was considered as highly advanced as it included a VAC system of

air conditioning in each hollow column serving one fifth of each floor area, curtain wall and

etc.

Precast concrete

systems used in

Malaysia are mostly

large panels systems,

which can either be

load bearing or non-

load bearing wall. This

method had effectively

saved cost and

improved the quality

through the reduced of


labor intensity and construction standardization. Besides, it minimizes the wastage of

materials that lead to cleaner and neater environment and also a better quality control.

The use of precast concrete system was one of the reasons why the construction of this

building was below the budget. Glass was also use widely in the building. For this building,

the glass is used mainly for windows. The glasses on the windows were tinted to reduce

the amount of solar energy transmitted into the building as the amount of sunlight entering

them is very high. Tinting the glass retain the transparency from the inside, although the

brightness from the outside is reduced. It is also to increase visual privacy.

One of the unique features of this building is the structure supporting the whole building,

which is the arch. The arches are meant to span large areas by resolving forces into

compressive stresses and eliminating tensile stresses to support the ceiling and the

stability of the building.


Architectural Elements / Component Analysis

ITHIRAM: RESPECT, PROPRIETY OR ADAB

FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM

LTH building (Lembaga Tabung Haji) of 1984, is the home to the Malaysian Muslim

Pilgrim’s Fund. It is a building that displays explicit Malay referencing. LTH building

adopted an hour glass form that arguably reflects a traditional Malay drum due to the

flaring of both the top and base. The most significant element of this building perhaps is its

display of five non-structural ‘pillars’ on its façade, known to represent the Five Pillars of

Islam (Shahada, Salat, Zakat, Fasting and Haji). The five pillars that seemed to be

concealed in the building itself from any angle emits a strong concept of Pillars of Islam

and its adherents to the faith is not something to show off and be proud of, but to be

proofed by implementation.

The non-structural ‘pillars’ means literally as it has no structural means at all. In the

hollows includes peripheral air-conditioning system serving one-fifth of each floor area.

But the seamless transition that lines from the base all the way to the top made it seemed

like a structural support. The smart blending of materials of concrete (structural support on


ground) and alloy (prefabricated wall cladding) done by Hijjas Kasturi really raised a notch

in the concept of modesty in Islam teachings and being an icon of modernism at its period

of time.

IKHLAS: SINCERITY

In representing Malay influenced architecture, geometric subtraction is a nature and holds

a prominent culture in Islamic Architecture. These elements can be seen all over the

building from the base to the top, on ceilings, floors, walls, columns and so on. For

example, the subtraction of the massive concrete load-bearing wall, forming an arch which

does not only provide structural benefits such as better load distributing but at the same

time it is very open and welcoming. Once again portraying the sincerity in providing

service to the people.


Alloy cladding

starts from level

10 to the top

Mechanical Room

Section Office Floor Plan

Ceilings

The subtraction finishes on the ceilings are elegantly done, thus, creating an ambience of

welcoming to the users and ultimately, exhibiting sincerity in the services provided to the

people.

Ground Floor Outdoor Ground Floor Lobby (2 Floors)


Outdoor Implementations

Floor Tiles

Hand Railings


Indoor Implementations

Wall Ornamentations

Floor Tiles


PURSUIT OF ‘ILM: KNOWLEDGE

The idea of using Calligraphy is part of Islamic Art. They are used to portray and

reveal information or ‘ilm using the language that is used in Quran. Being as it is, a

Malaysian Muslim Pilgrim’s Fund, the presence of ‘ilm is important to always be around

the user, reminding the Muslims to fulfill the pilgrimage to Mecca.


IQTISAD: BALANCE

The LTH building has shown great tradition of Islamic simplistic and artistic expression

and the concept of circular concave curve that represents a revolutionary approach to

architecture and modern at the time of construction. These claims can be seen through

the building geometries from the floor plans. The nature of this building is radial, thus

creating a symmetrically balanced building.

Ground Floor Plan Car Park Plan

Office Floor Plan Section


Offices of 27 floors

Car park up to 10th floor

Car Park

Offices


HAYA’: MODESTY

Adoption of Veil/Hijab are used on this building as well, it allows the building users to see

but not to be seen. This concept can be seen applied in the parking areas of this building

and complementally it gives a more appealing outlook on the building façade, in the

meantime, providing air ventilation and natural light in the car park area making it lessstuffy and well illuminated.


Glazed windows for the office floors

Louvers for the parking areas

Air flowing in through these openings ventilating the stuffy car park

Glass Curtain Walls

They are non-structural elements, therefore not bearing any structural load. Due to that,

these tempered and laminated glass curtain walls which does not compromise any

structural integrity, were used on the lobby or along the inner cylindrical structure. The

implementation of this curtain wall greatly limit the direct reflection of light causing the

space within to be well illuminated but lesser heat gained. Aside from that, these curtain

walls reflects on modesty as the building user can see through them but less visible from

the outside, providing a degree of privacy for the user within.


DIKR: REMEMBRANCE

Among the unique properties of this building that makes it stand out from other

existing Islamic buildings is the carving of Jawi scripted Allah SWT on the roof which

makes it a majestic building, a building with a purpose. The very nature of this principle is

implemented to remember Allah SWT’s existence in the first place as this is a building for

the Muslims of Malaysia to save for their pilgrimage to Mecca and the pilgrimage to Mecca

is ultimately for It. Therefore, inscriptions are done and placed on several locations.


Another inscription on the ground floor main entrance for remembrance.

TRANSVERSE ELEMENT

Ground Floor Plan

Lower Ground Floor Plan


Including the

staircases for

the fire exit

uses element

of slight curve

to present the

building as a

whole.

Stairs to lower

ground floor.

Automatic Sliding Glass Doors

On all 4 main

entrances to the

lobby, double sliding

glass doors are

employed and they

function as public

entrances. They

operate

automatically with

the help of ‘sensor’.

These automatic

doors can be

controlled directly by

the security guards

from the lobby. On top of the doors, ‘Perkhidmatan Cemerlang Amalan Kita’, stating their

slogan, ‘Excellent Services as Our Practice’. Once again, emphasizing their sincerity in

serving the people in need.

Tinted Double Glazed Window

The glazed windows

are framed with

aluminium and they

start from floor 11 to

floor 38, which is the

office floors, from

lower zone to upper

zone. From outside

they look dark, due

to the black tint,

providing privacy for

the users within.


Conclusion


Reference• BINTI ABDUL AZIZ, S. (2012, December 22). TABUNG HAJI TOWER, KUALA

LUMPUR. Retrieved November 15, 2015, from http://al-blog-al-kaslan.blogspot.my/2012/12/tabung-haji-tower-kuala-lumpur.html

• Binti Wan Mohd Rashdi, W. (2012, October 21). Malaysian Architectural Identity. Retrieved November 15, 2015, from https://designerspuo.wordpress.com/architectural-writings/teaching-and-learning-dillema-in-puo/

• http://www.hijjaskasturi.com/ • Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya: Negotiating Urban Space in Malaysia By Ross King • http://www.tabunghaji.gov.my/bangunan-th • http://www.worldweatheronline.com/Kuala-Lumpur-weather-averages/Kuala-

Lumpur/MY.aspx• http://www.holiday-weather.com/kuala_lumpur/averages/• http://www.windfinder.com/windstatistics/morib_kuala_lumpur • http://gtower.com.my

Reference:

http://ijesat.org/Volumes/2012_Vol_02_Iss_06/IJESAT_2012_02_06_20.pdf

http://al-blog-al-kaslan.blogspot.my/2012/12/tabung-haji-tower-kuala-lumpur.html

http://www.lendlease.com/asia/malaysia/projects/lembaga-tabung-haji-headquarters

http://wikimapia.org/14902/Menara-Tabung-Haji

http://www.commercialwindows.org/tints.php

https://www.boundless.com/physics/textbooks/boundless-physics-textbook/static-equilibrium-elasticity-and-torque-8/applications-of-statics-77/arches-and-domes-314-11286/

Reference Hijjas Kasturi Associates Sdn. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2015, from

http://www.hijjaskasturi.com/

Portal Tabung Haji. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2015, from

http://www.tabunghaji.gov.my/bangunan-th

King, R. (2008). Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya: Negotiating urban space in Malaysia (p. 107). Honolulu: Asian Studies Association of Australia in association with University of Hawaii Press.

Tabung Haji | Interior, computer lab | Archnet. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2015, from



https://designerspuo.wordpress.com/architectural-writings/teaching-and-learning-dillema-in-puo/

http://www.hijjaskasturi.com/

http://www.tabunghaji.gov.my/bangunan-th

http://www.worldweatheronline.com/Kuala-Lumpur-weather-averages/Kuala-Lumpur/MY.aspx

http://www.holiday-weather.com/kuala_lumpur/averages/

http://www.windfinder.com/windstatistics/morib_kuala_lumpur

http://gtower.com.my

http://ijesat.org/Volumes/2012_Vol_02_Iss_06/IJESAT_2012_02_06_20.pdf


http://www.lendlease.com/asia/malaysia/projects/lembaga-tabung-haji-headquarters

http://wikimapia.org/14902/Menara-Tabung-Haji

http://www.commercialwindows.org/tints.php

https://www.boundless.com/physics/textbooks/boundless-physics-textbook/static-equilibrium-elasticity-and-torque-8/applications-of-statics-77/arches-and-domes-314-11286/

http://archnet.org/sites/530/media_contents/13070

Bangunan Tabung Haji, Kuala Lumpur | 106005 | EMPORIS. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2015, from http://www.emporis.com/buildings/106005/bangunan-tabung-haji-kuala- lumpur-malaysia

•


Education

Menara Tabung Haji Case Study