Foundation work on the site was not easy. Levelling into a steep gra- dient entailed the removal of about 70,000 cu. yd. of earth and rock.
Initially the building was design- ed to be supported on piles, but boring for the piles proved to be very difficult.
The machines could hardly penetrate an unusual stra- tum of shale which was soft when wet but dehydrated into a compact- ed rock formation. In consequence piling was abandoned and caissons were sunk.
Height of the building is 202 ft. Ground to concourse level is 19 ft., concourse to parking level, 15 ft., and floors up to the twelfth, 11 ft. 6 in. each. Above twelfth floor level the floor to floor height is 12 ft. 10 in.
Three Lifts
Machinery for the elevators is housed on the roof. There are three electronically controlled passenger lifts, travelling at 700 ft. a minute and capable of serving 3,000 people an hour without delays. In addi- tion a service lift delivers to all floors and two escalators operate between the Ampang Road level and the shopping concourse.
Finishes on the building include Swedish red granite on Ampang Road level, marble faced spandrels on the concourse, parking and first floor levels, marble faced columns and ceramic glazed tile spandrels on the typical floors.
Internally all office floors are covered in vinyl tiles and lobbies have terrazzo floors. Walls are plas- tered generally, except in the con- course and parking lobbies where they are marble faced.
All offices have suspended ceilings of fibreglass accoustic tiles.
Vertical distribution of the elec- trical services is via a shaft adjacent to the elevators and for the plumb- ing two wet columns are provided throughout the height of the build- ing.
All space is air conditioned by separate multi-zoned air handling units. Air distribution on a typical floor is handled by ducts and flexible connections to a modular pattern. The total tonnage of the air conditioning equipment is 450 tons, generated from three centri- fugal compressors.
M
Shops and tower block seen from the south of the site
Worm's eye view shows sun-shades
The building was completed at a cost of M$11,500,000 within 30 months of work starting on site. It will be formally opened by the Ma- laysian Prime Minister, Tengku Abdul Rahman, on February 16.
Consultants and Contractors
Architects: John Graham and Co.. New York, in association with Palmer and Turner, Kuala Lumpur.
on main frontage and south elevation
General contractor: Paul Y Construc- tion Co., Ltd.
Aluminium sun shades: Williams and Williams Ltd.
Mitsubishi lifts and escalators, elec-
tiles: trical wiring and terrazzo
China Engineers, Ltd.
Worthington air conditioning dine Waugh (Malaya), Ltd.
Plumbing: Yat Lye.
―
Jar-
Accoustic ceilings: Owens-Corning Fibreglass,
Vinyl asbestos tiles: Armstrong Floor- ing Co., Ltd.
3RD FLOOR
2ND FLOOR
1ST FLOOR
PARKING LEVEL
Section through lower levels
Far East Architect & Builder February, 1965
CONCOURSE AND
SHOPPING ARCADE LEVEL
AMPANG ROAD LEVEL
55