Interior, Office
Damansara Uptown, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
contemporary work space in a 90s built office tower for a boutique property developer
Photos by Sao Inn & Tian Xing (Shooting Star PTL)
Build Up Area
557.62 sqm
Bespoke Lighting & Furniture
Saoinn Architect
Materials
Plywood, Mild Steel, Stainless Steel, Aluminium, Terrazzo
"The company was previously operating from two different locations and this made communication difficult. The new office was designed with a series of pocket spaces that allow people to interact and communicate. The pantry, which is normally a service area, is located at the heart of the office in this new design. And these areas can also be used as informal work areas, for events, etc." Ar Ch'ng Sao Inn
BÖN Estates is a project to rework an existing workspace within an office tower in the commercial enclave of Damansara Uptown, Petaling Jaya, the BÖN Estates Office was designed with a home-like ambience for greater comfort without compromising functionality and features a centrally placed pantry to encourage greater interaction among its occupants.
The former office was congested with limited communal spaces, which restricted communication and engagement among the occupants.
Different teams were working from various locations and sites.
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The new office aims to bring the people closer and to accommodate the growing needs of the company. Steering away from a typical office layout, the pantry was designed to be at the heart of the office and surrounded by the entrance foyer, terrace and meeting room. Spaces interlace with one another and are made accessible from one to another with sliding timber doors and screens.
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Pantry: 1 & 2
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The owner decided to relook the working environment with the aim of bringing people closer, and to accommodate the growing needs of the company.
Diagram
Layout Plan: 3
The functions of the spaces were planned by taking cues from the views from each side of the building. Part of the entrance foyer was denoted to become a landscaped terrace, with a view of an existing tree canopy outside.
When one enters the office, they are transported into a tranquil setting surrounded by plants. Connected to the terrace and pantry on the other side is the meeting room.
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Entrance Foyer: 4
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With garden-like benches and tables, the terrace became a favourite corner in the office for work, interaction and moments of contemplation. It serves as a peaceful work corner where employees can escape the chaotic urban environment.
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Landscaped Terrace: 5
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Through a series of timber sliding doors, the meeting room is designed to be multifunctional and can be converted to host a variety of gatherings and events.
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Meeting Room Sliding Door: 6
Meeting Room Sliding Door: 7
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To meet functional requirements for work while maintaining the openness of the office, the tables and shelves were custom-designed for various needs and configurations, while the bespoke light fittings illuminate the space at different levels to create an efficient and home-like ambience.
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Bespoke Light Fitting: 8
Tables & Shelves: 9
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One of the challenges when designing the space was the monotonous ceiling board with a low ceiling. This was overcome by recessing the panels, effectively transforming the ceiling into a delicate timber lattice-like frame.
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Timber Lattice-Like Frame: 10 & 11
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As a whole, the project is an embodiment of craftsmanship, made hand-in-hand by the client, the architect and the artisans.
