Shaping the future

For many organisations, temporary accommodation is inevitable at some stage often the result of business expansion. But taking an interim tenancy needn't mean diluting the company image, as this fitout illustrates.

Ranhill Berhad, a large multinational engineering company, commissioned ISG Asia to provide a turnkey solution for its temporary offices in Kuala Lumpur. But although Ranhill is building new premises, the short-term solution still needed to reflect the company's aspirations and the forward-thinking, progressive nature of its business. Woods Bagot was commissioned to provide this design.

Architect Anand Krishnan says the design needed to be very modern and very minimalist almost austere.

"But, at the same time, there was a need for an element of excitement a feature that expressed the nature of the company's business," he says.

The extensive use of limestone and glass, and white walls and ceilings provide the pared-back, sophisticated look that was required for the upper management floor. This level is approximately 1100m², but it accommodates just six people. Krishnan says the vast expanse of space is just as important to the design as the objects within.

"This floor is the company's corporate reception area the place where VIPs, such as visiting heads of state are greeted."

The conference room is contained within a large pod. This was designed both as a sculptural element and as a focus for the whole floor, says Krishnan.

"The pod was conceived as a large, balloon-like space the timber framing expressing the idea of structure, which is the core activity of the company. The sense of transparency provided by the curved glass panels of the pod alludes to the sophistication and excellence that the company strives for."

Rather than all the glass panels being transparent, several of them are covered by film, in a random pattern.

"This allows controlled glimpses of people moving past the pod," says Krishnan. "Similarly, people passing the pod get glimpses of the interior."

Over-scaled elements are also evident in customised reception furniture and the large pivoting doors that can open up the circulation spaces for functions.

"Pivoting doors also impart a sense that they are floating, despite their size," says Krishnan.

Executive offices, on the perimeter of the building, have glazed walls allowing light to filter through to other parts of the floor. They also maximise the views.

Story by: Trendsideas