Generous use of glass allows light and scenes of the surroundings in (All photos: GDP Architects)
A city’s skyline is arguably one of its most characteristic features, and Kuala Lumpur’s does not disappoint. When you glance out to a vista of the bustling metropolis or explore it on foot, you are likely to catch a glimpse of easily recognisable sites such as the Merdeka 118 tower, Pavilion KL, the Petronas Twin Towers and Tun Razak Exchange. These monuments have become icons, studded along the landscape like gemstones in a piece of jewellery, and several were designed by none other than homegrown multidisciplinary practice GDP Architects.
While much of our beloved KL has been conceptualised by the firm, the shimmering skyscrapers and modish aesthetics found in the organisation’s portfolio were a far cry from its own workspace — at least until now.
Occupying 79 Jalan Setiabakti in hilly Bukit Damansara, the new GBI-certified office, named GDP Campus, stands tall amid a crowd of residences and shoplots. At the lobby, the elevator doors open to reveal an unexpected sight — a sleek box, rounded at the corners and lined with blonde wood panels. A soft wide light glows overhead. On the swift vertical journey up, one cannot help but glance around in wonder and notice what a stark difference it is from the typical sterile metal enclosure.
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The lift is only the first example of the sheer amount of detail that has been poured into the design. An abundance of pale-grey concrete makes up a majority of the façades and interior, boasting a raw but refined finish that allows the construction to teeter the fine line between spic and span industrialism and chic minimalism. Polished metal signage on the walls usher visitors in the right direction. Sunlight filters into all floors through tall glass windows. The building is crowned with a lush garden, and even the parking lot and emergency stairwell have been designed to be modest but undeniably stylish.
Behind its contemporary look, the campus serves as a means to bring the company, which previously occupied a network of satellite offices around the upscale suburb, together. The earlier setup meant that departments were physically separated from each other and colleagues in different divisions seldom met in person. And so, when the unexpected opening to finally gather everyone in the same space came, the group banded together and took the challenge head-on.
“The building, as with most things that happen within GDP Architects, was not entirely planned for,” architect Sarah Merican laughs. “We never had any really grand agendas when we got the opportunity to do this. It was quite by chance that we happened upon this property and a lot of different things fell into place before we decided it was time for us to do this. We wanted to see where this new dynamic could take us and help us improve.”
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The effort was spearheaded by founder and CEO Kamil Merican, but Sarah ensures that it was by no means a solo undertaking and the final design was a product of countless voices. “He was supported by numerous people within the practice, not just for the style and architecture alone but even down to little things like the signage. This has always been the GDP way — a team effort.”
This method of working influenced the layout of the studios from the fifth to eighth levels, which are distinguished by an open floor plan and distinct lack of corner offices. The idea behind this arrangement was the modern university campus (hence the building’s name). This configuration was purposefully implemented to eliminate the hierarchical essence of a typical workplace and cultivate a culture of collaboration and mutual respect between colleagues, regardless of designation.
Here, it is the little things that matter. From ergonomic Herman Miller furniture and natural daylight to the temperature control system that maintains pleasant conditions throughout the day, every element has been chosen with the building’s inhabitants in mind. “We asked ourselves what kind of environment a GDP staffer would be happy to come to every day, and paid attention to the fundamentals to create a comfortable workplace,” Sarah explains.
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Although GDP Campus is the practice’s first-ever shared headquarters, community contribution still plays an important role. This is most instantly noticed in the gallery space that occupies the fourth floor, which is open to the public. The space was christened in late June with Not Just in Black and White: Works from Steve Wong’s Art Collection, a showcase curated by RogueArt that displayed pieces from Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines. Following the event’s success, the company hopes to host more in the coming months and offer creatives a platform.
However, it is the office’s immediate neighbours, particularly the primary school next door, that stand to gain the most from GDP’s new, prominent presence, reflecting how the local people are always at the heart of the group’s projects. Says Sarah: “We helped do up the wall that borders the school’s lot and ours, and in the future we intend to host art lessons and more for the children. It is our mission that whatever we do will enrich not just the immediate community but anyone who pays us a visit.”
This article first appeared in issue No. 114, Winter 2024 of Haven.
