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Menara UMNO, Malaysia
TR HAMZAH & YEANG
top West side. above South elevation.
Rising 21 storeys above the historic
shophouse district of Georgetown,
capital of Penang, Malaysia, is a new
‘bioclimatic skyscraper’ designed as an
icon suggesting the progressive
government of the major tenant, UMNO,
the country’s ruling political party.
Although centrally air conditioned (as
an afterthought), the building provides
sophisticated systems of natural
ventilation, including experimental
wing-wall/air-lock devices clipped to
balconies. The service core is placed to
the east to shade offices from the
morning sun, and public areas of this
core are naturally lit and ventilated. On
the western side, sunshades and
balconies offer shade in the afternoon.
Several skycourts are included to serve
the 14 floors of offices.
Jury Verdict
Like a vertical aeroplane wing, this
silver building soars into the sky over
Penang. Commissioned by a leading
political party to be a landmark, it
makes several statements; not the least
of them, an environmental message.
Like an aircraft wing, the blade-shaped
building is aligned towards the
prevailing winds with funnels
channelling air into the interior to
reduce dependence on airconditioning.
Close attention to environmental
concerns has provided both functional
and decorative elements. Shade
awnings in recyclable aluminium reduce
glare and sophisticated computer
models were used to predict the airflow
through and around the building to
reduce interior temperatures. This
project stands out as a thoughtful
environmental response and an
elegant construction.
Roof structure and balconies on west side.
Photography KL Ng
Menara UMNO, Georgetown, Malaysia Architects and Interior Designers TR Hamzah
& Yeang Sdn Bhd—project architect Ken Yeang.
Developer South East Asia Development
Corporation. Structural and Civil Engineers Tahir
Wong. Electrical, Mechanical and Hydraulic
Engineers Ranhill Bersekutu. Lighting
Consultants NDY Lighting. Natural Ventilation
Consultants Richard Aynsley, Phil Jones.
Quantity Surveyor Juru Ukur Bahan Malaysia.
Builder JDC Corporation.