An eclectic clash of architectural styles separates the distinct programmes of the mixed-use development Empire Damansara, writes Iliyas Ong.
April 10th, 2014
The Damansara Perdana township of Petaling Jaya in Malaysia, has transformed from a local suburb into a commercial and residential centre for the well-heeled. A host of new developments, from shopping malls to luxury condominiums, has sprouted up in the past decade. Among the more recent projects is Empire Damansara, a mixed-use property whose distinct programmes encapsulate the district’s vibrancy and dynamism.
Empire Damansara was designed as a vibrant and dynamic mixed-use development
Designed by ONG&ONG, Empire Damansara houses a hotel, SOHO units, corporate offices, residences and a lifestyle ‘village’—comprising entertainment, retail and F&B establishments—within its five towers. To reflect the diversity of the complex and to ensure it cuts a striking figure in the neighbourhood, the architecture firm used a mixture of facades and treatments in each block. Tying the varied styles together is ONG&ONG’s bold, playful and contemporary approach to the project.
Each tower of the development comes with a very distinct and striking facade
The hotel is identified by a dynamic series of copper-coloured fins on its facade
Each of the five towers bears a prominent and individual facade. One of the two SOHO blocks, for instance, has a faceted and perforated exterior that cages the building. On the other hand, the hotel’s frontage is vertically lined with copper-coloured strips that catch the light at different angles. And yet another block has a wave feature clinging onto the tall red outlines on its facade.
If it weren’t for their shared extroversion and amenities—each block has a theatre and sky deck—the towers would appear to have irreconcilable identities.
The lifestyle village is designed based on a heritage-theme and adopts the look of old warehouses
Standing in even greater contrast to the high-rises is the lifestyle village, which connects the five towers in a central courtyard. The heritage-themed space borrows the aesthetic of old warehouses; think bare brick walls and heavy-duty black staircases with ornate balustrades. As a gesture of authenticity, ONG&ONG specially imported recycled bricks from China for the village.
A series of landscaped courtyards and plazas are spread out between the various buildings
Walk around the village and you might feel as though you’ve been transported back a century—until you come to a corridor sheltered by an array of umbrellas in a kaleidoscope of colours. The brollies dangle from a wire mesh suspended across the open passageway, enlivening the otherwise brutal industrial space and complementing the eclectic facades of the tower blocks.
The podium car park is an architectural landmark in its own right
A podium car park in the heart of the complex rounds off the buildings found in Empire Damansara. Rather than settling the car park down on the outskirts of the complex, ONG&ONG recessed it from the street. According to the firm, this was to ensure the complex was porous enough for pedestrians to access it from all directions of the site.
For a neighbourhood that is flourishing because of its diverse typologies and programmes, Empire Damansara may well be the jewel in its midst.
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
The Sub-Zero Wolf showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne provide a creative experience unlike any other. Now showcasing all-new product ranges, the showrooms present a unique perspective on the future of kitchens, homes and lifestyles.
Marylou Cafaro’s first trendjournal sparked a powerful, decades-long movement in joinery designs and finishes which eventually saw Australian design develop its independence and characteristic style. Now, polytec offers all-new insights into the future of Australian design.
Channelling the enchanting ambience of the Caffè Greco in Rome, Budapest’s historic Gerbeaud, and Grossi Florentino in Melbourne, Ross Didier’s new collection evokes the designer’s affinity for café experience, while delivering refined seating for contemporary hospitality interiors.
Savage Design’s approach to understanding the relationship between design concepts and user experience, particularly with metalwork, transcends traditional boundaries, blending timeless craftsmanship with digital innovation to create enduring elegance in objects, furnishings, and door furniture.
The Design Institute of Australia launches its new DIAlogues seminar series in Brisbane, featuring pearls of wisdom from industry professionals.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Artificial intelligence is one of the defining issues of our time. Here are five ideas articles addressing the anxieties and possibilities of the technology in design.
A south coast escape that redefines hospitality architecture.