February_1968 — Page 20

KUALA LUMPUR

SEOW. LEE & HEAH

BRIDGEWATER & COULTON (M)

C.H. TEOH & PARTNERS

R. CROOKS, MICHELL & PEACOCK

NG GOON HAN CONSTRUCTIONS CO. LTD.

SIAH BROS. TRADING CO.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS BUILDING

architects

quantity surveyors

structural engineers

air conditioning engineers

contractor (main building)

contractor (annexe)

NATIONAL ELECTRICITY BOARD

electrical engineers

A$

s with other young nations, Ma- laysia's economic growth and de- velopment can be measured by its physical changes. In the capital of Kuala Lumpur an indication of pro- gress is given by the large number of new buildings, including multi-storey prestige buildings, that have sprung up during the past few years.

A great variety of expression is to be found in these new buildings, though almost all are based on a re- ctangular reinforced concrete frame- work.

The Government has also construct- ed several new buildings recently to give its various departments a new look, and in general these too have followed a standard-type office block pattern. It is refreshing therefore to discover that with the new Ministry of Foreign Affairs complex, the archi-

ກ

Rear view of the buildings

main block (left) and annexe strong room (right)

Far East Architect & Builder February, 1968

Page 20Page 21

Detail of diamond-shaped slabs which protect the air vents from driving rain

tects have been given the space and the encouragement to forsake the "egg- box look',

The new complex. named Wisma Putra in honour of the Prime Minis- ter, stands on a three-acre site along Jalan Wisma Putra. The land mea- sures 376 ft. by 360 ft.

It consists of three blocks: a main building and administration block. a 'treaty room' building connected to the main block by a bridge at the first floor level, and an annexe.

The main block, measuring 160 ft. by 100 ft. is of four storeys and is designed around an internal courtyard of 80 ft. by 60 ft. to a grid of 20 ft. It is holdy expressed externally, with infill panel walls set back to expose the structural framework. The 20 ft. square grid was adopted as this best suited the layout of the offices.

Full view of annexe building

Far East Architect & Builder February, 1968