Wah Seng (1986) Sdn Bhd is a prominent family-owned food distribution company based in Ipoh, Perak.With roots tracing back to the 1950s, it has evolved over three generations into one of the region’s most trusted suppliers of frozen foods, dairy products, and baking ingredients.
In response to growing demand, Wah Seng has initiated plans to scale up its operations by developing a state-of-the-art factory and warehouse facility in Ipoh.This expansion reflects the company’s commitment to maintaining high standards in product quality and customer service.
Designed as a 3-storey office and warehouse, the project integrates high-performance features across energy, water, and materials.When we were commissioned to work on this project, the original warehouse was dilapidated and in a state of disrepair.The building was devoid of any character internally and externally.
We undertook the challenge to convert the building with a modern, vibrant, and neat outlook, incorporating Wah Seng’s corporate identity. With the owner’s previous experience in luxury branding overseas, we were very conscious of meeting His discerning tastes in design. It is also the owner’s ambitious intention to raise the benchmark of their new warehouse as the first GreenRE Platinum-rated in the country (IND V1. 1 rating).
By using special lighting features with organic design, the spaces were brightened instead of being confined to a typically mundane industrial setting. Lighting zoning with clearly labelled switches was introduced to promote responsible energy use. Five-star energy-rated air conditioning systems were installed in office area for optimal efficiency. In the warehouse, a carbon dioxide-based cold room system was adopted -achieving up to 45% energy savings over conventional systems. Water-efficient fittings were used in all WCs, and submeters were installed for usage monitoring throughout the building. Five-star energy-rated air conditioning is used in the entire office areas for optimal efficiency.
Many of the materials used in the building carry green certifications (see attached list). Low-VOC paints support indoor environmental quality, creating a safer work environment for employees. Instead of the usual cold, bland fire staircases, we introduced lively graphics that wrap around the wall surfaces. The base colour is a neutral cream, intertwined with light brown timber texture and accents of green-reflecting the company’s corporate colour. Vertical elements are repeated on the façade to create a sense of order and rhythm.
In contrast to the minimal use of corporate colour internally, Wah Seng’s striking green was boldly applied as the base colour for the external façade.This continuous green band wraps around to the rear of the building, delivering a clean and crisp visual identity.A staggered glass façade was introduced in the office area, lifting the exterior into a more elegant composition.
The façade meets low Overall Thermal Transfer Value (OTTV) requirements, achieved through a mix of brick walls, insulation, AAC blocks, glazing, and decorative metal panels to enhance thermal performance.The entire roof is covered with solar PV panels, generating 15% of the total electricity demand.Electric vehicle charging stations are also available on-site.
Beyond the design, it’s the commitment to ongoing energy and water management that truly defines the spirit of this project.Green landscaped breakout spaces were created for workers to rest and take breaks.A rainwater harvesting system supports landscape irrigation, paired with drought-tolerant planting.The existing mangosteen trees on-site were also preserved as part of the sustainability initiative.
