On a sun-dappled street just off Kuala Lumpur’s affluent Bukit Ceylon enclave, Ceylonz Suites sits in calm repose.
Flanked by swathes of urban forest, a 104-year-old Presbyterian church, and two high-rises – one of them the Bursa Malaysia stock exchange – the building exudes a tranquil street-level ambience, harmonious with its neighbourhood.
But gaze upwards, and its incisive architecture is revelatory.
Make no mistake, this is an articulate building for the erudite city dweller.
INHERITED CHALLENGES
For all its confident demeanour, the 39-storey development did not have the most ideal of starts.
“Working from home today has become the norm, and with long commutes no longer a mandated necessity, Ceylonz Suites may represent the ideal in metropolitan living, a reflection of the new dynamic in this era of social distancing and self-vigilance. “
“This was originally an abandoned project. Already built up to ground floor level, it had been designed as luxury residences, two units per floor with private lifts, that was later abandoned due to bad sales,” shares the tower’s designer, Malaysian architect Tan Chee Khoon.
“When my client took over the site, they asked me to design something affordable for the market yet has a demand.
“Their idea was something similar to the SoHo (Small Office, Home Office) genre. They would call these units ‘suites’, so that they could be used for business as well as accommodation.”
For this new scheme, Tan opted to start from scratch.
“The site is shaped like a trapezium, and the previous design similarly followed that. I found that doing this doesn’t give a good form, so I went for a rectangular design,” he says.
This story is from the Issue 120 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 120 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.