point92

Point 92’s latest edition, is a white armadillo, the gucci bag or however we wish to name it. but it has a large hole in it, this interconnecting void that offers lush greenery and landscaped courtyards that slowly climb around the corner of the building is the green bit, the part that makes it sustainable. These are actually break out areas , they need to be planted with big trees, none of that shrubby stuff. once organised, they can be used as proper shaded from the hot sun, nice ‘dining is possible’ roof terraces. From here we let our brilliant engineers design m/e systems to bring in lots and lots of fresh air for a naturally ventilated atmospheric condition. The ‘hole’ is made large enough to be seen from afar, we think at night it can be lit by a number of different ways to evoke yet another iconic conceptual work. an armadillo with a heart? or the gucci bag unzipped.

©2008.huatlim

workplace

Was reading an article in the business section of the International Herald Tribune, and found an interesting read on a recent article by Timothy Ferriss, the 4-Hour Work Week, presumably cutting out emails and multi-tasking as we go along. Incredible that anyone could do such things these days without feeling disconnected or unaware of the world outside. Yet, even Netscape Communications founder Andreessen says some very good things about the book. If we can rid of all those emails and having to have all those gadgets, we can come in on a Monday feeling much less overwhelmed with work. When asked how he keeps abreast with what’s happening, Tim says he asks the waiters.

If you ask me, I love work, couldn’t do without my emails, and totally against the idea of lazing around or building huge muscles and picking on people who don’t necessarily mind not climbing up some remote mountains and hiking for kilometres as as if to prove themselves fit. Once a workaholic, always will be. If I do take a holiday, it’ll be about giving time to look at things, and appreciating the environment, its not about leaving the office or not having to work long hours.

[after the Alex Williams' article for the International Herald Tribune]

astro’s green fingers

 

Image of Astro new look office, designed to promote Astro’s philosophy of work, of solidarity, symbolic in the way the facade shows two building materials coming together, one transparent, and the other more solid. A concept that drives the plan form as well as the section, two spaces meeting in the centre where the courtyard breaks into a garden, with many natural elements. The dark cement and the panar glazing on the facade locks into each other as a clasping hand, the interlocking floors give each level a view of the the next one either above or from below. A humane and completely intimate internal environment that encourages external awareness and a sense of connection to light and landscape.

www.zlgdesign.com

conversions

One of our most rewarding developments has been the act of converting neglected and left over low value sites to projects of worth, whether in the sense of revitalisation or rejuvenation of culture and social activity, the dilapidated buildings and grey sites of today can hope for the environmentally friendly parks and playgrounds of tomorrow. If this sounds far fetched, we only have to recall KL-LinearCity, a project once thought a fickle of our imagination.

As with all community related projects, converting places with no commercial potential into public realms have been our long term view of contributing to making cities sustainable. Another similar effort has been the work of some of our colleagues to convert a closed prison facility into a shopping paradise. In many asian countries we have seen the uptake of land mines and disused mining pools turned into entertainment and theme parks. Why not.

huatlim

christo

Christo’s and Jeanne-Claude’s wrapped constructions and installations brought about public awareness requiring the cooperation of authorities and various agencies, but this made it incredibly challenging as a form of public art. The proceeds from sales of Christo’s illustrations and designs prepared for the work itself made it possible for the two artists to finance their projects. My very first encounter of Christo’s work was the exhibition in London’s wonderful Annely Juda Gallery, of the Surrounded Islands work in Biscayne Bay, Florida and then the Running Fence, amongst others. The making of the Running Fence film was also shown at the AA, by our then Studio master Andrew Minchin.

Christo’s and Jeanne-Claude’s work is regularly exhibited and supported at Annely-Juda Gallery in London.

www.zlgdesign.com

boh visitor centre

This is one of those buildings that seemed totally in sync with the environment, yet it’s construction techniques, of precast piles and steel framework belies its simplicity. A totally open concept, naturally ventilated interiors and perforated walls made of fallen tree trunks make this a unique experience.

The 170m long facade demonstrates that a simple modernist structure in a natural surrounding may not present so much an aesthetic issue, as most critics may argue for a lame vernacular solution, meaning the old Balinese nonsense “tropical” indigenous excuse for want of something more visually or culturally relevant.

www.zlg-design.com