INTERIORS

Summit Subang USJ

When Summit Subang USJ opened in 1999, it attracted a crowd of shoppers as the first mall in Subang USJ. However, as the years went by, it became dated, with many facilities in need of upgrading, especially with increasing competition from new malls in the vicinity.

Changes were sorely needed to keep the mall relevant, as well as to cater for the millennials, with almost 10 universities and colleges within a short distance. In 2014, the mall underwent RM70 million worth of renovation and refurbishment works, which were completed in July 2016.

NEW BREATH
The new Summit Subang USJ mall boasts a fresh and trendy look with a new colour scheme and a new logo—colourful overlapping panels representing the vibrant mix of retail and dining options. New façade lighting adds a celebration of colour at night with its colour-changing LED lighting system.

The extension of the main façade boosts the image of the mall, as well as allows for additional retail space. Aluminium fins clad the existing walls, providing vertical linear patterns on the tempered glass façade. The glass curtain wall, enclosing a new extension at the main drop-off, uses low emissivity (or low-E) glass, which is energy efficient, while providing good visibility from the street level to attract shoppers.

Inside the mall, the ambience was enhanced with new ceilings and lighting to increase the overall ceiling height, new floor tiles with pixel patterns, and new balustrade and glass railings in the common areas. Existing round columns at the main corridor are wrapped with coloured glass panels.

Existing lighting features have been converted to more environmentally friendly LED lighting. New zones have been created, and accessibility to the upper floors have been improved. New escalators, travellators and a comprehensive, state-of-the-art CCTV system are among the other changes made to the iconic mall.

Some of the new retail tenants include Homepro, a large home improvement store from Thailand; MinNature, Malaysia’s largest indoor miniature exhibition area; and Encore Family Karaoke. The refurbished Golden Screen Cinemas features upgraded audio technology, increased legroom in the halls, as well as a new entrance, foyer and toilets.

CHALLENGES
The major challenge for the refurbishment exercise was performing ‘live’ mall renovations as the mall was conducting regular business, and the cinema, hotel and colleges were operational during the construction period.The construction team had to implement noise management and major coordination efforts among the contractors and consultants to zone the renovations during the operating hours.

The construction team had to implement noise management and major coordination efforts among the contractors and consultants to zone the renovations during the operating hours.

PROJECT DATA
Project Name:Summit Subang USJ
Location: USJ Subang, Selangor
Completion Date: July 2016
Site Area: 3.1 hectares
Gross Floor Area: 115,798.6 square metres
Client/Owner: AM Ara REIT Managers Sdn Bhd; Summit Subang USJ Management Corporation
Architecture Firm: AIA Ahman Izaham Architect
Principal Architect: Ar Ahmad Izaham Architect
Interior Design Firm: HL Design Group Sdn Bhd
Civil & Structural Engineer: HP Lee Consult
Mechanical & Electrical Engineer: Perunding HTA Sdn Bhd
Quantity Surveyor: CNH Jurukur Bahan Sdn Bhd
Lighting Consultant: Italliano Resources (M) Sdn Bhd; Oneworks Sdn Bhd
Landscape Architect: Morphosis Design Sdn Bhd
Main Contractor: Luxabuilt Sdn Bhd
Images: Amran Yahaya (HL Design Group Sdn Bhd)