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IJM Land and Amona Development Showcases RM30 mil ICE Gallery

IJM Land Berhad (IJM Land), the property development arm of IJM Corporation Berhad and its joint venture partner Amona Development Sdn Bhd, recently celebrated the official opening of the modern and contemporary cube-shaped IJM Land Centre of Excellence or ICE Gallery at Pantai Sentral Park located within the Golden Triangle commercial and retail hubs of Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur, Bangsar and Mid Valley. About 200 people attended the event including top influencers in the KL real estate community, business affiliates and partners, consultants and media.

An Iconic Structure

IJM Land has taken its latest property gallery to a new level, showcasing two transparent interlocking geometric glass cubes with organic structures in its interior which distinguish it substantially from the conventional and familiar/standard property gallery and turn it into an astonishing place of marvel and fascination. The use of cube shapes in the architecture of the ICE Gallery serves a number of purposes, from ensuring durability of the structure and maximum efficiency of the space utilisation, to harmonising the entire building with the surrounding environment. The ICE Gallery is designed for flexibility and adaptation. The volumetric form and column-free structure of the ICE Gallery coupled with the long span creates flexible spaces that facilitate the change of use during the lifecycle of the building. The highly adaptive form of the ICE Gallery allows the interior spaces to be transformed and aligned with new functions and purposes in the future when the nature-inspired township matures.

The 29,000 sq. ft. gallery harvests natural daylight, allowing sufficient light to enter the spaces below and maximising views into and out of the building. The gallery, which was constructed entirely with glass segments and steel, takes in views of the surrounding forest and changes throughout the day as the sun arcs across the sky and during the night, when the gallery is illuminated, the enormous winding sculptures which characterise the gallery’s main hall in combination with the translucent glass façade create the magic illusion as if the ICE Gallery was glowing and growing just like a fantastical forest.

Many little design strategies go into making a sustainable building and the visionary thinking to create ecological designs and to use sustainable materials were primary considerations for the ICE Gallery. Steel and glass, some of the most sustainable building materials in the world which can easily be recovered, reused and recycled, characterise the architecture and design of the property gallery. Though the facade is glass, but the glairiness and overheating associated with glass is remedied with the bespoke design of the ceramic fritting which allows for a reduction in the radiant heat and helps soften the glare of light into the cubes.

Communicating the Spirit of Pantai Sentral Park

According to Senior General Manager of IJM Land Central Region Mr. Hoo Kim See, it was the dream of IJM Land to create the ICE Gallery as a unique experience that reflects the innovative spirit and the values of Pantai Sentral Park through its architecture and its interior design that instantly speaks to people’s emotions once they set foot into the gallery. “It is our interpretation of nature and its organic forms that look like they dynamically grow in every direction without the intervention of men,” he explained.  Most notable in regards of this concept is the large sculpture in the main hall that reaches a height of 12 metres (39 ft).

IJM Land Managing Director, Mr. Edward Chong Sin Kiat further explained the inspiration behind the ICE Gallery: “Instead of an ordinary gallery, we felt it was important to create a unique structure that would convey the individuality of Pantai Sentral Park. The ICE Gallery is a significant and important brand-defining addition for us, as we seek to strengthen our brand presence and connect with more customers from the local community in the Klang Valley.”

The highly distinctive gallery serves as the main showcase of Pantai Sentral Park. “The site’s unique location with unrivalled access to a host of hotspots and amenities of the city presents a wonderful opportunity for us to mark our legacy and create a stunning and iconic landmark for Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley. It is truly our own ‘Jewel in the Park’,” commented Tn Haji Abdul Manaf, Executive Director of Amona Development Sdn Bhd.

Designed by leading architecture firm Surbana Consultants Sdn Bhd, in collaboration with renowned interior design firm DWP (Design Worldwide Partnership), the new ICE Gallery offers a unique multi-sensory experience, which includes architectural models and show rooms as well as the various interactive and experiential exhibits. Other features include a sheltered public area/space for events, gatherings and celebrations, as well as a café bar. The purity of the natural white curves of the gallery provides the perfect backdrop for multiple displays and uses such as fashions shows, landmark occasions, prestigious product launches and other special celebrations, to create a more enriching and inclusive lifestyle experience in the gallery.

About Pantai Sentral Park

The visionary township of Pantai Sentral Park sits on a significant 58-acre parcel of land and has a gross development value (GDV) of RM2.5 billion. The landmark development which consists of 7 residential phases and 6 commercial phases is expected to be completed within 10 – 15 years, and will be able to accommodate some 15,000 residents. The integrated city development will be achieved through elements of sustainability such as green features, commercial conveniences and business opportunities.

Pantai Sentral Park’s unique location in the shade of the impressive Bukit Kerinchi, coupled with its strategic location minutes away from the city centre has helped define the development as Kuala Lumpur’s One and Only Urban Forest City. Backed by the township’s Crime Prevention through Environmental Design initiative, the overall theme of the township revolves around the idea of encouraging a life out of the box and into the outdoors. Residents will enjoy the best of nature and modern living wrapped within an eco-friendly property development. Surrounded by the lush 200-acre forest reserve of Bukit Kerinchi, homeowners will have direct access to a number of gardens, parks, hiking trails, leisure and flora educational parks, natural streams and creeks. Here at Pantai Sentral Park, one can truly step out from their doorstep and straight into the adventures of outdoors – something no other property development in the Klang Valley can offer.

Pantai Sentral Park is also strategically connected to hotspots and amenities of the city, adjacent to Kuala Lumpur to the north east, Bangsar/Damansara to the north, Petaling Jaya/Subang/Sunway to the west and Cheras/OUG/Sungei Besi to the south eastern side. It sits within a close vicinity to the Universiti LRT and Pantai Dalam KTM stations which connect to KL Sentral. Pantai Sentral Park is linked to various road networks such as the Federal Highway via Jalan Kerinchi and from Bukit Gasing via Jalan Pantai Dalam. Ensuring that the customers can conveniently travel in and out of the precinct was a key consideration in planning. In addition to the existing amenities, IJM Land is building a direct link to Pantai Sentral Park from the New Pantai Expressway (NPE).

Phase 2 of the Pantai Sentral Park development, known as Secoya Residences, comprises 243 units of residential condominiums with built-ups ranging from 1,050 to 1,670 sq. ft. for its two-to-four bedroom units and is priced from RM850,000. Every unit is oriented towards North with city views and the South with forest and pool views to prevent undue heat gains. The 41-storey development will break away from the traditional point block and deep unit notion of high rise living, and instead adopt non-conventional housing models with wide fronting living spaces to allow for natural lighting and ventilation, generous green realms and vertical gardens while engaging the forest surroundings.

The ICE Gallery is now open daily from 9:00am to 6:00pm Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm on Saturday and 10:00am to 5:00pm on Sunday. For more information, please call 1800 880 456 or visit www.pantaisentralpark.com.

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dwp project Playt Restaurant received the Hong Kong Restaurant Interior Design Award (HKRIDA) in the Hotel Restaurant Category

RIDA16020

Outlet name: PLAYT Address: 1/F, 310 Gloucester road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Design firm: DWP – Design Worldwide Partnership Address: Unit 06, 36/F, Singga Commercial Centre, Nos. 144-151 Connaught Road West, HK Category: Hotel

Project description: From the onset of the concept the design for the restaurant was all about art and colour. It made us closely think about creativity and at what areas we could help the guests concentrate their focal energies, which would encompass real art with a real artist, in key areas around the restaurant.The brief to us was urban/ Industrial chic, with a quirky edgy feel to represent authenticity for the young generation. The design had to be robust to withstand all day dining experience. The colour, texture and flamboyance of street arts worked well with our raw, bright, clear colour pallet, which signifies Hong Kong billboard symphony of lights.Between the top management of the hotel and DWP we chose an up and coming visual artist from Spain to complete the overall look, Victoriano, a perfect choice to represent the overall look for this “one of a kind” restaurant. At first we were cautious, as it is not often a 5* hotel would entertain the idea of graffiti art in an all-day dining, but The Park Lane Hong Kong, a Pullman hotel was different and excited by the idea.“The Godfather”, “The Girl with the pearl earring” is both iconic to all people in every country in the world and so we felt we could once again push the boundary and use humor to bring the old to the new, with a line about not eating lobsters and a little girl painting over a priceless artwork. The entrance had to be colorful and what better way to ensure we had the element of surprise but with a copy of Damien Hirst’s polka dots, with Victoriano’s daughter idly spraying graffiti on the wall with her polka dot pet dog! We feel that all elements came together with this amazing restaurant along with the shock of the girl behind the bar, looking over everyone.The lighting was crucial to ensure an ambiance of warmth and to show the artwork to the full capacity. Although limited by the open ceiling, the wall washers and located spot lamps made the art sing.

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SKYE’s the limit for dwp with their latest rooftop bar

When Pullman Hotels and Resorts took over Hong Kong’s Park Lane Hotel a couple of years ago, all eyes were on the hospitality brand to transform the 1970s building into something that met the standards of their existing portfolio. Renowned across the globe for exciting designs and contemporary style, the group was under pressure to create a trendsetting space; one that matched the bold designs and modern ambience Pullman had become famous for.

But the group wasn’t interested in a transformation that met standards. They were looking to exceed them, with a particular focus on the rooftop. Lucy Bollen, general manager of The Park Lane Hong Kong, explains: “People build restaurants and add a bar onto them, but we thought the strongest element of this space was the view. The park view, the harbour view – they’re uninterrupted.

“What we saw with the last two years of revamp was that there was more and more interest in being on the deck, and enjoying the views became more important. The dining became complementary to it, but it wasn’t the deciding factor.”

At the helm of the rooftop overhaul was dwp. With the design of Bangkok’s famous Sirocco and Breeze rooftop bars under our belt, we were the obvious choice for Pullman, who’s main objective was to create a space with “a young, contemporary feel.”

To cinch the contract, dwp executive director Scott Whittaker showed the hotel manager around the bars he had designed, stressing the fact that not only were they all still in business, they were booming. “The rooftop bars were packed on a Monday night, 12 years after opening, without renovation, and the only way I could get in was because I knew Scott,” says Bollen.

For Whittaker, the design plans had to go above and beyond anything that existed in Hong Kong. He explained: “We aimed to create something different; design in Hong Kong tends to follow trends, with the latest bars all looking similar. We wanted to create something that’s a new experience.”

The result was SKYE. A 27th floor restaurant and rooftop bar set against a backdrop of Victoria Harbour and Victoria Park, the Causeway Bay venue boasts a French eatery, an impressive illuminated outdoor bar, and a large outdoor deck.

As part of the hotel’s HK$300 million makeover, the 8,000 sq ft rooftop was brought to life by dwp, creating an al fresco entertainment space that impressed with sophisticated décor and a vibrant ambience. But the project was not without its tests.

“Space is always a challenge in Hong Kong, as typically, buildings have lots of structure and low ceilings, together with stringent local authority requirements around building modification,” says Whittaker. “But by using level changes and sculpting the ceilings, we were able to design a space that feels open and that expands towards the harbour.”

Over in the dining area, the team created an “organic ceiling [that] appears to float off the ground, and together with lighting, it takes on the feeling of clouds in the sky,” says the designer. “We engaged an artist [German graffiti artist KEF] to design motifs that hint at street art and body art, but at a very sophisticated level.”

While the daytime vista is guaranteed to impress, after sunset sees SKYE lit up by the latest LED technology, with sheer balustrades allowing for stunning, unobstructed views of the Hong Kong evening skyline. The use of soft, muted shades throughout the interior ensure the focus of the bar is on the outside, allowing guests the chance to enjoy delicious French cuisine and innovative cocktails in a contemporary space that overlooks the best of this beautiful city.

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Going Green: Three Hospitals Embracing Nature

Sime Darby Medical Centre, Malaysia

dwp was tasked to design the interior of Malaysia’s Sime Darby Medical Centre, focusing on making a home-away-from-home atmosphere for patients, and a warm, comforting feeling for visitors throughout the public areas and all the ward rooms.

In order to lessen the impact on the environment, many of the materials used were sourced locally. Not only did this enable costs to remain within budget and increase the design impact, but it helped to reduce the development’s carbon footprint and create a sense of fluidity between the holistic centre and its surroundings.

Samitivej Wellness & Life Center, Thailand

Samitivej Public Company Limited asked dwp to design the interior for their new Bangkok-based Samitivej Wellness & Life Center, with a focus on their second and third floors (the Life Center and Wellness Center respectively).

Our design concept was inspired by health foods, honing in on their colours and organic shapes to create a peaceful place with a natural feel. These included warm, fresh shades, like light blues and light greens, with leaf-like murals adorning the walls of examination rooms and waiting areas.

For the Life Center, we selected different shades of purple, blue and light green to breathe life into space, whilst ensuring a calming stay for patients and visitors alike. As for the Wellness Center, our design team maintained the lighter, natural hues mixed in with dark greens and browns, and added spiral staircases and modern consultation pods with an organic feel to enhance guest experience.

Tseun Wan Adventist Hospital, Hong Kong

Established by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the ‘60s, Tseun Wan Adventist Hospital is the only private, not-for-profit hospital in this Hong Kong district.

Always striving for excellence and to exceed every patient’s expectations, the hospital made plans to extend the facility to include 430 more hospital beds. They approached dwp to create the interiors for the extension, with the intention of improving and expanding on their services and facilities.

With this brief, we came up with a set of interior environment principles based on nature and nurture that could be applied to all spaces throughout the building. We utilised natural materials and warm colour tones to create a calm, clean and fresh interior, with the overall aim to generate a welcoming sense of nurture to patients, visitors and staff.

With splashes of colour scattered throughout, the main lobby features off-white tones, warm timbers, and neutral carpets, all highlighted with champagne metal edges and soft shapes. The food court features brown, grey, green and beige tones distributed evenly, evoking a truly relaxing ambience.

The outpatient clinics, however, explored more vibrant shades. The waiting areas and corridors located in the patient ward floor still maintained the same neutral base as the lobby, but as guests enter the colourful patient rooms, natural greens, blue and orange tones have been used.

The hospital also needed the durability of the design to be lasting. We achieved this by combining resilience and quality to ensure a strong relationship between the life of the building and materials they used.

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Shaking hands with our favourite brands

The branded residence concept is one of the real estate industry’s fastest growing sectors.

Over the past few years, branded residences have become a popular option among residential buildings, and it’s a trend that looks set to stay. According to WATG’s [Wimberly, Allison, Tong & Goo] Muriel Muirden: “The branded residence sector continues to intrigue developers, investors and real estate advisors.” But why have big name collaborations become so popular?

Designing a branded residence allows a project to increase its value whilst standing out and making a name for itself amongst competitors. Some of the world’s most luxurious brands venturing into the world of property and international real estate include Ralph Lauren, Bvlgari, Tommy Hilfiger, Armani, Baccarat, Versace, and Moschino to name a few.

We have had the privilege of working with a few of these high-end brands. Names such as Ralph Lauren Home, and property development brand yoo Worldwide which was founded by international property entrepreneur John Hitchcox and world-renowned designer Philippe Starck.

For the 98 Wireless project, developed by Sansiri and led by dwp, Ralph Lauren Home exclusively furnished and styled the condominium reception areas and exclusive amenities of the luxury development. Now regarded as one of Southeast Asia’s most prestigious residences, 98 Wireless by Sansiri, is a 25-storey high-rise condominium containing 77 luxurious units.

dwp buzz, our creative marketing communications agency, worked with yoo Worldwide on another joint project by Sansiri: Khun by Yoo. Collaborating closely with designer Phillipe Starck, Khun by Yoo is the first branded condominium developed by Sansiri alongside yoo Worldwide, and the project sought our marketing and event management expertise to organise an exciting event to promote their innovative new residential building.

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Sleep tight: Three of our hottest hotel developments

From boutique bedrooms to bridal suites, dwp general manager Stephen Yas talks us through three of the design firm’s most recent hospitality projects in China.

Shanghai Town & Country Community Club Boutique Hotel, China

The brief? To design a hotel that performed as an effortless extension of the Shanghai Town & Country Community Club: intentionally classic, gracefully aged, and truly compatible with the colour, texture, warmth and feel of the club floors below.

We wanted guests to walk into the hotel and feel as though they had stepped into an old establishment with a stately atmosphere, much like White Hall Palace in London, or New York’s Harvard Club. To achieve this, we transformed the once vacant office floor into ten rooms and suites as part of an adaptive reuse project.

We gave the hotel more of a residential character through the addition of beautiful artwork in the rooms and sculptures throughout the main hallway, ensuring a sense of mature luxury from all corners of this high-end property.

New Century Hotel, China

With the hills surrounding the New Century Hotel sloping into a lake and creating a beautiful valley, our designers produced an innovative lake-centric layout for the property. The team were heavily influenced by the surrounding landscape, striving to create a space that allowed guests to keep in touch with nature throughout their stay.

To signal their arrival at a place of nature and tranquility, the guest drop-off point is framed by a stunning bamboo forest, whilst the lake unfolds upon entering the lobby. From here, a promenade connects the resort village, boasting restaurants and cafes as well as a relaxing waterfront walkway with a magnificent lake view.

With an exterior crafted entirely from wood, bamboo and rusticated stone, the hotel is in true harmony with its surroundings. At its heart sits the lobby; an instantly recognisable landmark for guests, it is also the property’s tallest structure and its unique, conical shape is a subtle reference to the nearby bamboo trees. At the top of the cone you’ll find the hotel sky bar, offering spectacular views of the valley and beyond.

Zhengzhou Wedding Hotel, China

Never one to shy away from the extraordinary, dwp was commissioned by the client to design a lakeside wedding hotel and mall.

To achieve this, we gave the complex marital-themed features throughout, including a glass facade that would glint like a diamond ring, triangular towers that mimic the architectural features of a Christian chapel, and a mall housing all the suppliers a couple might need in the run up to their big day.

We designed the 120 room hotel as a small boutique, with additional facilities including a ballroom, all day dining, a swimming pool, spa, and an atrium with terraces and interior landscaping. Between here and the mall sits a large winter garden, where wedding and other events can be held. It is a beautiful space, and the landscaping on the lakeside rivals that of a traditional English garden -  perfect for quiet moments between the bride and groom and, of course, wedding photography.

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dwp Reaches New Heights

Just six short years ago, dwp shifted the company focus from one of interior design to architecture. It was a drastic move for us, but one which would pay off, seeing dwp win three major awards for high-end residential projects with real estate developer Sansiri, and securing a range of other bids on the back of this success.

We now have 19 high-rise projects across Asia and the Middle East that are either under construction or in the final documentation stage, cementing our position as a global juggernaut in the world of tall buildings.

But how have we achieved so much in such a short space of time? This success was due, in part, to branching out into new areas of design. According to our executive director Scott Whittaker: “We extended our work to other building and design types - from hotels, such as our current work on high-rise hotels in Saudi Arabia, Dubai, and Vietnam, to mixed-use projects, which include a wedding chapel in China and some commercial office buildings in Malaysia.”

At the core of this success, however, lies our ability to provide a total architecture solution. This, says Whittaker, is what makes dwp “different from other architectural firms.” Thanks to a service which includes interior solutions, industrial design, product design, and project marketing, our USP is the beginning-to-end package that we can provide clients. As Whittaker says: “There are only a few companies that can offer that.”

As we look to the future, our gaze is fixed firmly on tall buildings, with projects in the pipeline including Abu Dhabi’s Maysan Towers at 38 and 36 storeys respectively, Ho Chi Minh’s 40 floor Viet Capital building, and Ha Noi’s 46 floor Star City all due for completion in 2018.

It’s an exciting time for dwp, and we are currently using our expertise, as well as the expertise of super high-rise specialist and Hong Kong general manager Joey Wong, to secure a super high-rise tower project at one of our locations in the Asia or the Middle East. This is where we see our future.

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Workplace Envy - Stunning Office Interiors 

1. Mixed Material Environment - Civil Engineering, Bangkok, Thailand

The Civil Engineering Co., Ltd. is a major contractor in all areas of civil work with its specialty covering infrastructure work. Quality and professionalism are always at the heart of every project it executes. The company chose international architecture and interior design company dwp, to create an office environment befitting the best of its people and catering to their needs. 

The office follows an open plan concept with centrally located facilities that encourage connections and collaborations. Staff members have easy access to one another and can feed off of each other’s energy and ideas in such an arrangement. A mix of organic and raw materials used by the company in its business is seen throughout the office to remind its professionals of the nature of their work and where their roots are. Concrete surfaces lay bare in certain rooms to represent strong support and foundations. Glass for walls fosters trust. Ancient wood paneling and furniture with details allude to craftsmanship. 

All together, the interiors help achieve a natural, rustic and chic working environment that supports workers to conduct business with integrity and fully utilize their expertise. At the same time, the modern design is a response to the client’s need for a contemporary space that matches their heritage collection.

2. Space For Creativity - DIFC Private Office, Dubai, UAE

This high-end office for a private investment company boasts a unique double height space in the heart of Dubai International Financial Centre, a federal financial free zone that aims to be a catalyst for growth, progress, and economic development in the UAE. International architecture and interior design company dwp, was engaged by the client to design the office to reflect the ideals of the zone and foster a working environment that will help their brokers perform. 

Upon entry into the office, visitors first see a unique Italian barista bar that welcomes all. In contrast to the usual formal reception desk, this helps to invite clients in on warmer and more relaxed terms. The immediate double height ceiling height adds a sense of wonder to the space and the full height doors at each end of the Café Bar entice one into the other areas of the office. 

With a neutral color palate of light tones and warm cigar hues, the office offers brokers a peaceful working environment that allows them to think creatively without being distracted. At the same time, this palate allows carefully placed custom art pieces to stand out and thoughtfully break uniformity in certain areas of the office. The use of high-end finishes, furniture and bespoke pieces set the office design apart from the norm. The library pays special homage to its middle-eastern location – subtle hints of arabesque influences within the patterns used in rugs and furniture are present.

3. Collaborative Company Culture - JTI Office, Bangkok, Thailand

JTI is a leading international tobacco product manufacturer that sells its brand in 120 countries. International architecture and interior design company, dwp, was engaged by the client to design its new office in Bangkok. The design was to draw inspiration from JTI’s brand, which was deemed to be modern and luxurious. In addition, the new layout was to reflect the company culture of collaboration. 

To achieve a theme of modern yet luxurious, various materials were used for different areas in the office. Upon entry into the reception area, visitors are greeted with floor-to-ceiling marble walls and reflective surfaces for the reception table and floor. These work effectively to help staff members and visitors associate lavishness with the brand. Neutral background colors provide opportunities for other bold, contrasting colors to create unique designs. The green vertical garden evokes a verdant, refreshing feel several rooms. Red brick walls provide breaks in the blank white walls and keep the rooms visually engaging. 

The new layout of office encourages staff members to collaborate and utilize co-working areas. The design does so by combining pre-existing spaces into adjacent areas and designating them with diverse functions. Ceiling height has been increased to enhance verticality and the free flowing open plan concept. The new office now has higher meeting capacities and boosts staff members’ workflow.

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Stunning Hotels That Will Fuel Your Wanderlust

1. Zhengzhou Wedding Hotel, Zhengzhou, China The marital themed complex reflects a culture that passionately celebrates wedding events and the need for buildings that is cleverly designed to cater to every couple’s day of union. The complex has a glass façade and is meant to glint like diamonds on rings. The form of the wedding hotel is akin to that of a chapel. Triangular towers mimic Christian architectural features and emphasize the symbolic significance of the marriage. From courtship to the wedding to family and children, all themes are present. Between the hotel and mall is a large winter garden where programs, events, and weddings can be held. A large greenhouse that connects the hotel and mall covers the garden. The landscaping on the lakeside leverages terraces that slope down gently to the water's edge and designs of an English garden. Between the interior and exterior gardens, there are many opportunities for couples to perfectly photograph their wedding day.

2. Palau Resort, Palau Facing a picturesque lagoon, this truly iconic resort features exclusive beachfront villas with private pools and rooms on the water connected to the island by a bridge. The design is intended to bring the ultimate natural experience and a luxurious yet authentic feel of Palau to guests. The resort sets a new standard for hotel development in Palau, which maintains a sound balance between quality and cost. Buildings will be self-sufficient from an energy standpoint, eliminating any reliance on external sources. Sustainability also goes beyond construction and maintenance. The resort will assist the guests in a wellness experience with healthy local foods and activities currently not found in other Palau resorts. A strong flavor of Palau local culture will be reflected throughout the property and will set a new era for the hospitality market in island nations.

3. New Century Hotel, China The hills around the property surround a lake and gently slope into the water body, creating a beautiful valley. Taking cue from the natural topography, designers produced a lake-centric layout. A bamboo forest frames the guest drop-off point. Upon entry into the lobby, visitors immediately see the resort and lake unfold before their eyes. The lobby is connected to the promenade, which acts as the link that ties the resort village and buildings around together. The waterfront walkway is an active yet peaceful place where guests can relax with others and experience the magnificent lake view. Hotel exterior materials include wood, bamboo and rusticated stone to harmonize the entire development with nature. The iconic hotel lobby is the resort’s anchor point. This instantly recognizable landmark is the property’s tallest structure and its conical unique shape references bamboo trees blowing in the wind. The sky bar sits at the top of the cone and offers guests a vantage point with stunning sights of the surrounding lands. 

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On Monday 29th of August our Group Human Resources Director, Michael Kulk was invited as a guest speaker at a Linkedin event to talk about “Talent Acquisition - the candidate relationship and thinking as a strategic marketer”. The event included  Thailand's leading international businesses from hospitality, banking to engineering and manufacturers. The speakers at this event also included Tracey Lloyd, the Vice President of talent at Minor Hotels, Jeerawatana Tungborvornpiche, the head of Human Resources & Communications at the Mall group and Kritapas Kusmith, the Vice President Human Resources at Kasikorn Bank.

Michael presented his experience in working across various international locations and  the journey and providing a valued insight into ensuring HR support an ABC rule to recruitment meaning; “Always Be Cultivating” by building internal recruitment capability to be a talent acquisition partner. Michael said “By doing so a recruiter in the business needs to really understand to think  as a marketer, partnering with hiring managers and plays a part in the HR process of maintaining talent or turnover lessons and building your employment brand. Michael also mentioned “To get the right team it involves getting the whole company involved in recruiting efforts and especially building your employment branding, as a strong employer brand can be your greatest strength”.

It was great to see dwp Human Resources providing back into the community having a passion in what they do and representing us at the LinkedIn event.

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Beautiful Examples of High Rise Office Architecture

1. ACB Square - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam The simple and elegant design theme centres on connectivity, in providing a new central hub for the network of ACB branches. The iconic façade design reflects strength and presence through intelligent design, high grade and high tech materials and methods, dynamic spaces, and a unique place for urban activities. The architectural 'cuts' into the building provide a strong brand identity and easy recognition for the building. With sustainability in mind, the design incorporates green initiatives aimed at LOTUS certification. 

2. Tamouh Office Towers - Abu Dhabi, UAE dwp has captured the essence of the location with the glistening waters of the Arabian Sea set to dance across the building exterior creating a light show that will bring movement and life to the development.  Bold colours integrated into the towers façade will accentuate the dynamic exterior while providing vivid reference points that define function within the form. 

3. Truong Son Building - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam This represents an entirely new building typology in Vietnam, with two main functional zones, separated by a continuous band of terraces. Outdoor areas are adjacent to the common living and entertainment spaces, while the façade conquers function and form. With an important focus on sustainability, this will be one of the first test pilots for the LOTUS certification in Vietnam(similar to the US LEED certification) and will serve as a positive benchmark to local investors, in this rapidly urbanising city. 

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dwp featured in Puteri Cove Prestige News

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Stunning Retail Design in Asia

1. Swatch at Mega Bangna - Bangkok, Thailand White and grey shades were accepted as a standard feature and dwp devised a canvas graphic design. The unique shaped dispplay stand in the middle of the shop draws customer attention into the store, while other displays along the walls are installed to simply display a variety of products and were easily implemented. The aim was to ensure that the actual products were a vibrant dominant design feature.

2. Louis Vuitton Starhill - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia The Starhill project in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is a luxurious 500sqm store, with a large landmark façade, which acts as a focal point for the prestigious Starhill Shopping Centre. The façade takes its inspiration from the Flower motif of the Louis Vuitton brand and is formed by three dimensional flowers that are lit by state-of-the-art LED technology. The store has a complex geometry, with multiple levels and entrances. The interior design takes its inspiration from this to create a space that is in many ways like the internal workings of a chronograph watch -- intricate in design, yet simple, refined and elegant in presentation.

3. Fiorucci Lifestyle Store - Hong Kong dwp has designed Fiorucci's flagship lifestyle store in Hong Kong. Over five stories, each floor embodies a conceptual theme; Stage Fright, Ice Cream, Champagne, Lipstick and Leather. A design challenge of the space is to support circulation from the street to the upper levels. The concept creates the ground floor as a back stage door leading to the event spaces upstairs. Evocative and sensual the upper leveels feature huge mirrors, catwalk lighting and contrasting bright and deep colours. The cash desks are reconceived as compact island stations, and floor display units move, to open the floor to become event spaces 

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Design Trends in China & Chinese Expectations - Thursday, 4 August 2016, 6:30pm - 8:30pm

“Design Trends in China & Chinese Expectations”, a recent talk given by Stephen Yas General Manager of DWP | Design Worldwide Partnership China

The British Chamber Shanghai’s Hospitality & Leisure Focus Group recently invited Stephen Yas, General Manager at DWP | Design Worldwide Partnership China, to give his unique insight on how businesses can get the best out of the “New Norm” of international companies working with local Chinese developers.

The event was of interest to professionals in the Hospitality & Leisure, Construction & Property industries, as well as architects and those who would like to gain a better understanding of how to work with local Chinese developers, and keep up with the design trends in China. With vast experience of international markets, Stephen has proven expertise on how to adapt a western business model to Chinese cultural contexts and commercial practices, in both management and design process and methodology. He and his team have had the experience of dealing directly with Chinese owners, local and international management teams reporting to local owners. Through this he is not only well versed in the design trends and requirements that are now being requested by local developers, but also into the unique environment of how local developers operate.

In an increasingly evolving global market, Stephen explained how we can adapt urban design and architecture to fit increasingly local conditions and demands, and how we can best transition a western business model to suit Chinese circumstances. With businesses in the design profession having to rely more and more upon local developers, there is an increasing demand for expertise on understanding how Chinese developers operate and Stephen’s talk was able to shed light on a multitude of factors that affect all businesses with stakes in residential, leisure, commercial and hospitality related developments.

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dwp project Playt Restaurant received the Hong Kong Restaurant Interior Design Award (HKRIDA) in the Hotel Restaurant category, find out more here ow.ly/HIzN303lLUc

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DWP Top Hospitality Projects in Vietnam

1. Gallery Villas - Ho Chi Minh City

Along Vietnam’s spectacular southern coast, on a piece of terrain where the legendary Greg Norman designed one of the world’s best golf courses, a community is taking shape unlike any other.The Gallery Villas at The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip will include 60 luxury residences built to the highest architectural standards, woven seamlessly into the dramatic dunescape and overlooking the east sea. The epitome of a Vietnamese paradise.

2. Avani Resort - Qui Nhon City, Binh Dinh Province Inspiration for the design was derived from the name 'Avani', which stems from the Sanskrit for 'earth', whhich is expressed through a grounded personality and simple sense of style. Therefore, dwp wished to create a real sense of place, with a contemporary resort style, making use of befitting textures and fluid forms.

3. Le Méridien Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City Western design influences meet and blend seamlessly with a contemporary interpretation of Vietnamese culture and history, punctuated with an eclectic collection of Asian touches and vibrant splashes of colour. A strong connection to the Saigon River is voiced through materials, textures, patterns and shapes. Free-flowing curves and draping walls suggest rivulets, streams and diversions, further denoting the water theme, delighting guests and staff alike, with a welcoming environment.

4. Majestic Hotel - Ho Chi Minh City dwp's extension design covers an area of 39,000sqm, rising some 110m into the city skyline. The super-structure is composed of concrete, and its large glass panes with silver Venetian blinds help to define the building's façade. The double-layer glazed walls have unusually deep 35cm cavities, which permit very high insulation levels and contribute substantially to energy saving. These elements combine to create an image that is distinctive and modern in spirit, yet flattering and complimentary to the existing structure. 

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About SPHERE Conferences:

The organizer hosts a series of Hospitality Investment Conferences in emerging markets such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Indian Ocean region and Philippines. As these events focus on key investment and development opportunities within the respective markets, we are bringing together hotel investors, developers, owners, operators, consultants and hospitality technology providers to share their expertise and opinions on a series of panel discussions.