Malaysia is all set to get another iconic structure that will surely become one of the landmarks of the country when it gets done. Green architecture and green building has taken a new meaning in the last couple of years with green features looking more stylish than the regular ones. This can only be good news for those who have been trying to give green architecture a mighty big push forward. Yesterday we came to know that the already green Reichstag building is set to become the greenest parliament in the world. Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur is not too far behind in the green race though.
Two of the tallest buildings in the world, the Petronas Twin Towers, are located in Kuala Lumpur. So it comes as no surprise to us that a stunning new residential development is planned for the Putrajaya waterfront known as Precinct 4, just 30km south of Kuala Lumpur. The design is special with green features and amazing architectural splendor inspired by marine life. It also draws from traditional Islamic designs and is arranged in a permeable, radiating block of bioclimatic architecture.
The winner of a recent contest, the design for Precinct 4 comes from Studio Nicoletti Associati and Malaysian architects Hijjas Kasturi Associates, who provided the master plan of Putrajaya. The goal of the designers was to provide a model for sustainable residential design that was inspired by the city’s unique landscape which includes an expansive artificial lake. As it has been so often in the past, the oceans have been a huge inspiration for the design of the structure.
The architect’s goal was to design buildings that tell of its place of origin which is culturally modern, Islamic and tropical in nature. For Precinct 4, the Italian firm brought sustainable strategies like terraces, sunshades, natural ventilation and integrated green space into the design. The buildings will source from alternative energy and are expected to produce 50% less CO2 emissions than similar residential projects. Precinct 4 is an example of the perfect amalgamation of art and architecture, of design and development and of ecology and economics!
