IN DESIGN

SqWhere

Selangor Dredging Bhd’s SqWhere is an upcoming mixed development with SoVos, serviced apartments and retail offices, which has been designed as a thriving green enclave.

Located on Jalan Sungai Buloh, the development is strategically located across the road from the Kampung Selamat MRT, which is connected via a dedicated link bridge. The station is part of the Sungai Buloh–Kajang line, which passes through Sunway Giza, 1 Utama and The Curve shopping centres, and has direct access into the heart of the Golden Triangle in central Kuala Lumpur. It is also two stops away from the Sungai Buloh KTM station and the MRT Line 2 (Sungai Buloh–Serdang–Putrajaya) connection.

GREEN ENCLAVE
About 61 per cent of the entire development is dedicated to green landscaping, such as the 1.7-acre forest deck, which far exceeds the required 10 per cent for city developments.

At the heart of the mixed development, facing the shops and restaurants, is a landscaped courtyard called Retail SqWhere, which provides a communal space for both residents and visitors. The idea of this ‘town square’ concept resulted in the name SqWhere—the place where all activities take place.

STACKING IT RIGHT
Each of the components in the development have different access and serviceability. The 302 SoVo units and 255 serviced apartments are placed in the two towers that sit on a podium and share the facilities deck. Facilities include a floating gym, hydrotherapy, lap and children’s pools, children play area, function room, meeting rooms, and co-working spaces. The size, proportion and positioning of windows on the building elevations help create visual interest on the façade.

As the site gently slopes down towards the south and west sides, the terracing of the commercial units on the ground and first floors ensures that these units always maintain a connection to the street level. The basement parking area below the commercial levels and landscape deck provides the necessary commercial parking, while elevated parking will be provided for the residential units.

KEEPING IT GREEN
Passive design principles are employed to make this development more environmentally sustainable. The tower blocks are oriented north-south to minimise heat gain, while windows are generously proportioned to provide adequate daylighting and ventilation. Use of vent blocks in the building’s raw finish provide some visual interest, yet screening ability.

The extensive landscaping provides environmental cooling, and the pedestrian walkways connecting all the various components help reduce the need for vehicular transportation.

PROJECT DATA
Project Name: SqWhere mixed development
Location: Jalan Sungai Buloh, Seksyen U19, Shah Alam, Selangor
Expected Completion: October 2019
Site Area: 4.84 acres
Gross Floor Area: 92,945.60 square metres
Building Height
Retail/Office: 3 to 6 storeys
SoVo: 41 storeys
Serviced apartment: 37 storeys
Office tower: 17 storeys
Number of Units
Retail/Office: 82
SoVo: 302
Serviced apartment: 255
Developer: Selangor Dredging Bhd
Architecture Firm: Asima Architects Sdn Bhd
Principal Architect: Tony Sim Wei Hang
Civil & Structural Engineer: Perunding KCT Sdn Bhd
Mechanical & Electrical Engineer: Perunding KMN Sdn Bhd
Lighting Consultant: Fabulux Pte Ltd
Landscape Architect: WDI Sdn Bhd
Main Contractor: Al Ambia Sdn Bhd
Images: Selangor Dredging Bhd