Situated in the urban setting of Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, the site is tight with an effective building’s GFA measuring only 7,760 square metres, yet the brief was to create a hotel of 85 guestrooms with a two-level basement and a swimming pool. Therefore, the project relooks at the art of place making, which simplifies design to only elements that matter.
A CENTRAL COURTYARD
The solution to the limited footprint is to create a U-shaped building with naturally lit and ventilated corridors facing a central courtyard, which serves as a carved-out space sheltered from the harsh climate of the urban jungle. Along these corridors, vertical planting is introduced to regulate the air temperature of the internal spaces. Most guestrooms are orientated to face north and south to optimise views and avoid direct sunlight. Vertical fins are incorporated on the façade to further reduce heat gain in the rooms. On the east and west, the walls are opaque with calculated perforation to maintain sufficient natural light and cross ventilation.
MAXIMISING USER EXPERIENCE
The interior’s concept aims to tap into the guests’ personal interests. To maximise user experience, the rooms are designed as artist lofts, which were outfitted in collaboration with professionals in the fields of art, music, cuisine and literature. For example, the music loft has a living space with a vinyl player console and a lounge chair for guest to sit back and enjoy music. The bespoke console is designed by an artisan furniture-maker with a musician, who helped engineer the sound quality.
Materials including woodworks, ceramics, terrazzo and light fittings were crafted to be as natural as they get to help create an indoor environment that support occupant wellness. A special addition to the materials is the set of old Chengal wood obtained from the roof beams of the old bungalow that used to sit on the site. This hard wood was repurposed to become the entrance canopy and the communal table in the main lobby.
PROJECT DATA
Project Name
Kloe Hotel Bukit Bintang
Location
Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur
Completion Date
September 2019
Site Area
1,710 square metres
Gross Floor Area
7,760 square metres
Building Height
32 metres
Number of Rooms
85
Owner
KLOE Hotel Sdn Bhd
Architecture Firm
Domaine Architects Sdn Bhd
Principal Architect
Masyerin M Nor
Interior Design Firm
Domaine Architects Sdn Bhd
Principal Designer
Masyerin M Nor
Civil & Structural Engineer
LEE Consult
MEP Engineer
NOVA Consult
Quantity Surveyor
JUBC Sdn Bhd
Lighting Consultant
Domaine Architects Sdn Bhd
Landscape Architect
Walrus Design
Green Building Consultant
Green Earth Design Solutions Sdn Bhd
Main Contractor
Khas Corporation Sdn Bhd
Interior Fit-Out Contractor
Binatex Sdn Bhd
Images
Domaine Architects
