Prudential, one of the world’s largest insurance companies, is set to unveil its new Kuala Lumpur headquarters in the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX).
The topping out ceremony, signalling the completion of construction for Menara Prudential (Prudential Tower) was conducted in December, and occupancy is due to begin imminently.
Design journey with Broadway Malyan
The much-awaited commercial tower offering 51,018 sqm of Grade A office space started life with an international design competition.
Broadway Malyan, a global architecture, urbanism and design practice, emerged victorious, and was appointed to design the first building that would open its doors in TRX.
The 27-storey tower is the culmination of close collaboration between the firm, the clients - IJM Corporation Bhd and Prudential Assurance Malaysia Bhd - and TRX City Sdn Bhd, the district’s masterplanners.
“We were tasked with creating a design that is modern and simple, which conveys confidence and assurance, expressing Prudential’s values and befitting its location at the gateway of the international financial district,” said Broadway Malyan Associate, Indhira Sagita.
Local flavour
Ian Simpson, director at Broadway Malyan, said: “One of the things we wanted to achieve was the creation of a building rooted in its context that would provide a real statement for the wider TRX scheme.”
Eschewing the draw of height, the designers of what is one of the shorter building in TRX have taken a different route to create a sense of gravitas while remaining welcoming.
A major aspect involves abstractions of the traditional Malay tengkolok diraja (royal headgear) incorporated into the modern contemporary architecture.
Most prominently, this has been articulated as three triangular elements at the roof-top.
There is also the façade pattern which will be spectacularly lit up at night by a sophisticated lighting system.
Finally, variations on the tengkolok theme will be manifested within the ground floor entrance that greets all visitors.
Integration with TRX urban fabric
“For us, it is about how the tower interacts at the ground level, integrating with an open, inviting public realm that will welcome workers and visitors into the site and provide a feeling of quality throughout the arrival spaces,” Simpson said.
“It is in these spaces that you can reflect the local culture in a meaningful way, and we have thought carefully about our use of materials, greenery, and the layout of the streetscape, so that we can bring a Malaysian style to the development,” he added.
This focus on the human scale and user experience chimes with the TRX vision for a large-scale public realm with permeability between public and private spaces.
“We elected to move the lobby to the TRX park level to support and promote the district’s aspirations to make the development as walkable and pedestrian-friendly as possible, to enhance Kuala Lumpur’s urban fabric and create a more sustainable and liveable city,” Indhira explained.
A green verge including plantings, gardens, a terrace with dining and beverage options, and a connecting bridge also help connect the tower with the wider TRX district.
The architects were also concerned with ensuring the greatest possible efficiency of space as the building will soon house all of Prudential’s life insurance and asset management operations under one roof, as well as offering a walk-in customer service centre.
Menara Prudential is also LEED Gold certified, featuring resource-saving measures such as rainwater harvesting and recycling, low emitting glass and materials to reduce building heat and increase indoor environmental quality, and a building management system to optimise lighting and temperature performance.
Photo Credit: Broadway Malyan Singapore
