These three blocks of luxury apartment towers are the first of two phases of a planned development. Seated in a crescent-shaped plot of 7.82 acres, it is nestled in the middle of the Medini ‘Zone A’ township next to a private hospital and in the vicinity of a theme park.
The design approach revolves around the concept of harmonising a series of vertical planes and horizontal elements, forming habitable spaces in between. This makes up 981 units with eight different variations of layout catering to the needs and demands of young couples, families and professionals. The arrangement of the tower blocks corresponds to the site profile and sun orientation, carefully crafted to bring in views of the surrounding, especially the adjacent 4.8 acres of Mahkota Park.
The process interrogates socio-cultural traditions and sustainable design principles whilst encouraging the occupants to rethink their present and future way of life.
The primary facilities area on the podium top is designed to make use of the surrounding views of the existing neighbouring park. Residents will be surrounded by beautiful vegetation that lines the azure swimming pool during the day, providing a sense of warmth and tranquillity after dark with the skyline glistening against the backdrop, bathing them in serenity. The pool is designed with a form created through the reflection of the architectural geometry. The form is then extended into organic greeneries that wrap around the geometry while softening and blending it into other correlated landscape and spaces.
The whole sense of being surrounded by nature has a continuation at the higher levels, where each of the three blocks has its own sky garden in the mid-level and a rooftop garden high above. This effectively restores more green spaces, bridging the gap between nature and urban living, as well as fostering social interaction among inhabitants within the block; designed to extend living spaces where ‘rooms’ are defined by walls of greeneries created pockets for different family or community activities with a background of panoramic city view.
The triple-volume sky garden offers a break to the façade monotony and robustness of each block. It is highlighted and exaggerated with a steel frame and mesh hood around it to create an impression of capturing the view from inside. This structure buffers direct sunlight and reduces rain splashing inside while visually balancing the long vertical planes. Placed within the mid-sections of the towers, these sky gardens further intend to ease wind resistance and ensure good cross ventilation throughout the buildings.
The series of vertical planes give more depth and character to the building façade. It is meant to make the façade distinct in appearance as the highest building among the rest of the development and also to complement the surrounding urban context. At 44, 42 and 38 storeys respectively, the towers are intended to be seen as a vertical rhythm. The towers’ planes, which rise continuously to the peak provide a pleasing skyline profile within that urban setting.
