Ever since its redevelopment and revitalisation in 2017, the SPICE Convention Centre has become a thriving hub for both local and foreign event organisers. It has also won the prestigious Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia (ACEM) Engineering Awards 2019 – Gold Award of Special Merit, the association’s highest accolade.
In 2010, Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang (MPPP; now MBPP) proposed to redevelop and revitalise the almost 20-year-old Penang International Sports Arena (PISA) by adding a new convention centre.
The entire facility was developed under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) scheme by SP Setia and renamed as Subterranean Penang International Convention & Exhibition Centre (SPICE). Arup Jururunding provided civil, structural and geotechnical engineering for the entire SPICE project including the Setia SPICE Convention Centre.
An underground convention hall under a 6-acre roof garden
Column free longspan structure
Recognised in the Malaysia Book of Records as the largest subterranean pillar-less ballroom, the largest rooftop recreational garden and the first hybrid solar powered convention centre.
The 70,000-square feet underground Setia SPICE Convention Centre with 40-metre column-free spans tucked under a 6-acre roof garden is both highly aesthetic and functional. With an area of 4,500 square metres that can fit 400 round banquet tables or 8,000 seats, the grand ballroom is a flexible venue that can be divided into four smaller halls. It is ideal for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) facility.
A porte cochere that is a sight to behold
A significant feature that is emblematic of Setia SPICE is its porte cochere. The 113-metre roof is a flowing, single layered three-dimensionally curved structure supported by four corners. The challenge was to design a thin roof structure without excessive deflection despite the long span.
PROJECT DATA
Project Name: Setia SPICE Convention Centre
Location: Jalan Tun Dr Awang, Bayan Baru, Bayan Lepas, Malaysia
Completion Date: March 2017
Site Area: 7.11 acres
Gross Floor Area: 38, 863.48 sqm
Building Height: 2 underground floors; 5 floors above ground
Developer: SP Setia Berhad
Architect: BYG Architecture Sdn Bhd
Concept Designer: DP Architects Pte Ltd
Civil & Structural Engineer: Arup Jururunding Sdn Bhd
Interior Design Firm: iPartnership (M) Sdn Bhd
Civil & Structural Engineer: Arup Jururunding Sdn Bhd
Mechanical Engineer: GH Consultant Sdn Bhd
Electrical Engineer: GH Tag Consultancy
Quantity Surveyor: Arcadis (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
Lighting Consultant: RP Design Illuminazione (M) Sdn Bhd
Landscape Architect: Landarc Associates Sdn Bhd
Basement & Piling: Econpile (M) Sdn Bhd
Infrastructure Contractor: JNH Bina Sdn Bhd and Lumson Bina Engineering Sdn Bhd
Demolition Contractor: Khor Khye Hing Constructions Sdn Bhd
Main Building Contractor: Syarikat Success Construction Sdn Bhd
Steel Structure Contractor: Sediabena Sdn Bhd
ID Contractor: DDS Contracts & Interior Solutions Sdn Bhd
Image: Arup Jururunding Sdn Bhd & SP Setia Berhad
