The business of tertiary education has, since the turn of the century, been a booming one.
With an annual student diaspora that stretches from Kuala Lumpur to Kenya, Malaysian private institutions continue to receive a plenitude of admissions through best-in-class, overseas-accredited programmes.
And in a sector rife with competition, some are turning to architecture for that winning edge.
UNIVERSITY OF READING MALAYSIA
BEST OF BRITISH
The University of Reading Malaysia is one of two British varsities leaving their mark in the education building scene.
The 27,000 ft2 campus by VERITAS Design Group and Scott Brownrigg is a highlight in Johor’s EduCity development, featuring a majestic trapezoidal roof spanning two blocks connected by criss-crossing bridges.
The diagonals inform a latticed ETFE system integrated into the roof, its breadth and transparency bringing daylight to a semi-external “heartspace” of landscaped plaza that blurs the edges of formal and informal teaching.
Enclosing the scheme is a matrix of striating panels, the patterned and permeable screen overlaid onto the facilities’ glazed façades.
Hijjas Architects and Planners’ HeriotWatt University Malaysia, situated in the administrative capital of Putrajaya, similarly employs the roof device for dramatic effect.
HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA
This story is from the Issue 123 edition of d+a.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Issue 123 edition of d+a.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
In Harmony With Nature
Palace Hotel Tokyo’s Art Collection opens a window to the world of Japanese art based on the concept of inheriting tradition but with an innovative spirit.
Timeless Elegance
Italian architect, designer, and art director Pierro Lissoni’s vision for B&B Italia is characterised by his personal design sensibilities.
Revitalising Communities Through Eco-Tourism
How can design contribute to environmental conservation and create sustainable communities? This is a question explored by Chat Architects, an architectural firm based in Chonburi province in Thailand.
art meets minimalism
Jay Osgerby, co-founder of Barber Osgerby, shares how AXOR One Collection is set to change the future of bathroom design.
enduring legacy
Vipp's CEO Morten Woldum tells us about the Danish company's pursuit of long-lasting quality and meticulous designs
seasonal expressions
Vibrant colours of the season are depicted in the striking ceiling installation at the newly refurbished Le Du in Bangkok.
preserving lanna heritage for future generation
The new InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping's updated design pays homage to Northern Thailand's Lanna culture.
blank canvas
A family home’s white backdrop frames the tranquillity and greenery of Half Moon Island Wetland Park in Foshan, China.
three of a kind
This multigenerational residence brings its occupants together while allowing them to maintain their individual lifestyles.
ichll of discovery
Formzero's Borderless House blurs the boundaries of conventional living, distilling serenity sublimity and surprise in a gardened and Miesian-inspired abode.