Hotel Grand Baron in Taiping, Perak, is an elegant contemporary building with splashes of tropical-induced design, set against the backdrop of the nearby Taiping Lake Gardens.
The family-owned hotel comprises 80 rooms, with facilities such as gymnasium, sauna, column-less ballroom, swimming pool, rooftop viewing deck and sub-basement carpark.
The design approach for this project is ‘bringing nature into the building’, and this is actualised by maximising the number and sizes of openings to ensure a constant visual connection between the interior and the surrounding landscape.
To maximise the benefits of the site, the building is oriented to capture wind flow from the south and southwest, while west-facing rooms can take advantage of the Larut Hill views.
The façade embraces warm dark timber tones. Due to budgetary constraints, aluminium louvres are used instead of timber ones, while painted plaster walls with groove lines replace timber panels.
Locally sourced marble is applied on the architrave of the hotel entrance, as well as the flooring of the entrance lobby area and dining area. Hanging ivy vine plants on each roof feature blends the building with the neighbourhood.
Louvres at the entrance lobby and atrium provide natural ventilation to the common areas. The waiting area of the hotel is designed to produce a stacking effect by creating a chimney-like structure that forces hot air to rise out of the building and allowing cool air to flow in. Shading devices on the glass panels at the stairwell create a light-and-shadow effect.
PROJECT DATA
Project Name: Hotel Grand Baron
Location: Jalan Bukit Larut, Taiping, Perak, Malaysia
Completion Date: February 2018
Site Area: 5,217.16 square metres
Gross Floor Area: 12,357.50 square metres
Building Height: 3 storeys
Number of Keys: 80
Client/Owner: High Baron Sdn Bhd
Architecture Firm: CG Cheng Architect
Principal Architect: Ar Cheng Chew Giap
Interior Design Firm: CG Cheng Architect
Civil & Structural Engineer: P.M.K. Taiping Sdn Bhd
Mechanical & Electrical Engineer: Primedge Consultant Sdn Bhd
Design & Build Contractor: Kejuruteraan Kumpulan Teknik Sdn Bhd
Images: CG Cheng Architect
