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.
Theories of Architecture and Urbanism ( ARC2224)
2 Theorizing Architecture: PART 2 : Analyzing and Theorizing Architecture
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
Theories of Architecture and Urbanism ( ARC2224)
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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9 Theorizing Architecture: PART 2 : Analyzing and Theorizing Architecture
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
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10 Theorizing Architecture: PART 2 : Analyzing and Theorizing Architecture
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.
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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.
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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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