PARKROYAL COLLECTION Kuala Lumpur looks at alternative ways a city can be “greened” by breathing new life into older existing buildings. It is our client’s wish to offer a more diverse selection that enables the conversion of 29 units of old office suites into hotel rooms of 112 keys to complement the existing Park Royal Hotel. The design transforms the existing, enclosed concrete building in a dense city centre into a refreshing green lung. Extensive sky planters bring lush greenery directly into guestrooms and public areas – creating unique garden spaces for guests. The lush greenery is highly visible from one of the most prominent junctions of Kuala Lumpur, of Jalan Imbi and Jalan Sultan Ismail, ending vistas from surrounding streets and buildings; buffering heat and offering much-needed relief to the city.
We took a holistic biophilic approach, using greenery to soften the façade and create a unique garden experience for guests that permeates the entire hotel. Guests arrive at a double-volume lobby space flanked by a lush green backdrop, overlooked by a timber-clad treehouse. Cantilevered facade planters lift greenery directly to interior spaces. The ballroom, previously fully enclosed, is now opened to abundant light and greenery creating a unique garden Ballroom experience. Guestrooms receive gardens directly to bedrooms or bathrooms. These gardens also work as an attractive foil, screening away the elevated monorail viaduct which runs alongside the hotel.
The architectural promenade culminates at the pool level which is realised as a verdant green oasis with large 6-7m trees screening the pool area. Planters and cabanas create intimate spaces for guests to occupy and relax in nature. The roof terrace houses the pool and wellness facilities such as the gym & spa, directly connected from the registration lobby via three new lifts added to enhance vertical connectivity. Throughout the hotel, greenery complements the warm and natural finishes creating a resort-like ambience, right in the heart of the City.
78 sky planters cantilever up to 2.6m from the existing building bring lush greenery directly into guestrooms and public areas – creating unique garden spaces for guests. The leafy foliage shade hard concrete surfaces, preventing reflected heat and the urban heat island effect. The positions of the sky planters are staggered to create different volumes suitable for shrubs and trees of various heights. A wide variety of tropical trees and shrubs are selected, moving away from mono-culture by curating a natural palette of plants. Plants mostly native to Malaysia are selected for hardiness, reduced maintenance, and increased pest and disease resistance as opposed to purely decorative species. The different foliage is also layered and attractive in a naturalistic manner.
The lush greenery is an attractive and positive addition to the city ending with vistas from surrounding streets and buildings. The highly visible façade greenery provides visual relief; the abundant plants help to absorb carbon dioxide, work as a carbon sink and produce oxygen to refresh the city. PCKL demonstrates the innovative approach to greening an older existing building. Working with existing buildings is more ecologically responsible than tearing down structures which are sound and rebuilding would generate more carbon footprint than adapting them.
Together with the lush roof terraces, this adds a much-needed 13,000 sqftof greenery to the city. A total of 100 species of planting, including over 300 trees, provide enjoyment for both guests within the hotel and city dwellers from the outside alike. The substantial amount of greenery and its positive effects were realised within the constraints of the existing building structure showing that older buildings can be vigorously rehabilitated to become attractive and meaningful additions to the city.
