The Point 92 office tower in Petaling Jaya occupies an unusual site. It is sandwiched between highways in hilly surrounds on a small plot just 0.92 acres in size – hence its name.

It is owned by a property developer (Tujuan Gemilang Sdn Bhd) so without question, making an impression on passing motorists was crucial. The building required an iconic quality.

Designed by Kuala Lumpur-based firm zlgdesign, Point 92 is bold enough for high-speed impressions but also intimate enough to nurture its users with multiple spaces for inspiration and interaction.

This premium 19-storey tower contains 11 storeys of office space, a 2-storey arrival hall, and 6 levels of car parking. Being located on sloping ground, it is accessed at the arrival hall level.

The car park podium drops away below, and a screen of creeping plants is envisioned as a permeable enclosing layer that filters sight into the car park while allowing it to be naturally ventilated and blending the base of the building into its environment.

The levels above were imagined as a white concrete cube that has been carved and incised to create a breakout void space and chamfered edges on two corners. The landscaped void space (or sky garden) stretches between levels 5 and 12, and is accessible from two floors.

The arrival hall is chiefly enclosed by glazing and creates a dramatic hovering effect for the tower above. The generous ceiling height in the reception lobby varies from 5.7 to 7.6 metres. Surrounding planting serves a sunscreen effect, but carefully selected vantage points were left unhindered by trees to allow views over the hilly landscape.

The underside of the office block is clad with marine ply, as are the walls in the breakout void upstairs. This material was selected to bring a softer feel to the otherwise heavy palette. Panels of marine ply have also been added to building elements that are within human touch, such as the reinforced concrete benches on levels 2, 5 and 7, as well as the reception table.

The iconic form of the building is enhanced by the graphic nature of its facades. The unique pixel-like pattern of windows was derived from the Braille system. Six shapes are arranged to spell out the project name with glazing set into a white concrete surface.

The wall surfaces at the chamfered corners were cast with grey concrete in rough-hewn timber formwork. The effect is that the building has been sliced at the two corners to reveal its internal layers. Openings on these walls are fitted with fixed glass and angled window hoods to shield the interior from direct sunlight.

‘Green’ strategies include a condensate water recovery system, waterless urinals, water-efficient fittings, rainwater harvesting for irrigation purposes, and low-e double glazing. Point 92 has been awarded with a provisional certificate in Malaysia’s Green Building Index (GBI) rating scheme.

Rendering

zlgdesign
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