The Tamed Giant of Kuala Lumpur

Here's my final project for everyone to have a look at. Click on the image for a larger view.

This project is a polemical response to the Malaysian Government’s proposal to build yet another mega tower as a landmark for Kuala Lumpur in the Petronas Twin Tower tradition. The proposition responds to significant public disproval by providing an alternative design to the existing 100-storey mega tower proposal, and in turn seeks to answer whether built form, other than a high rise tower can become a landmark for a city or region? 

The critical architectural act is defined by a simple and vernacular process of ‘braiding’. In this case the two separate towers of a Petronas Complex are ‘braided into one’. The two are bonded, separate things united, unity suggested. This is envisaged as an appropriate landmark metaphor for a multi-racial country.

A further insight is possible...imagine this...the mighty tower now lies prostrate. It is reclaimed by Kampung Baru, the last remaining urban village in KL. It is as if the tall, proud capitalist giant has humbled itself to the low, almost slum like urban nature of the traditional village. Between then and now the traditional village has reclaimed the tower for its own. Big and little, Rich and Poor dwell together. 

“The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together, and a little child will lead them.” - Isaiah 11.6

And the outcome? A tamed giant, a 12 storey, strangely familiar built form nesting into the medium rise zone on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.