This article first appeared in City & Country, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on June 10, 2019 - June 16, 2019
On arrival at Eleena Jamil Architect (EJA) in Cyberjaya, I am amazed by the architectural models of the practice’s designs that are simple yet unique, with clean lines that are pleasing to the eye.
My reaction is exactly what EJA founder and principal Eleena Jamil is aiming for.
“Our design philosophy is to create simple and practical architecture. We do not design iconic shapes; we design simple spaces that clients enjoy using,” says Eleena.
Founded in 2005, EJA focuses on designing enduring architecture that uses tactile spatial solutions based on context and culture. The firm, which is led by Eleena and her team of architects, has completed more than 30 projects to date. The team’s vision is to work together to deliver imaginative and successful projects to clients.
Eleena says housing projects are the most memorable and interesting to work on. “When we design a house, we start off by finding out how the client wants the house to be designed. Consequently, we get to know more about the client, which enables us to satisfy his or her needs and wants.”
She was exposed to the building industry at a young age. “My father was a contractor and I grew up in a family involved in the construction business.”
She studied architecture at Cardiff University in the UK and she ultimately earned a PhD and qualified as a Part III Architect before establishing her own firm. “At first, I wanted to be a doctor but my father encouraged me to become an architect,” says Eleena. “He told me architecture would be a good choice for me. Being a good daughter, I went along with it and it turned out he was right. I do enjoy running my own company and taking on interesting and exciting hands-on projects.”
Eleena believes that the architecture industry will be interesting in the next 20 years. “I think there are more people who value the architect’s work, which increases awareness and promotes diversity in architecture. It is very important to hire a good architecture team to design buildings.”
The main challenge is getting clients to trust female architects. “This is why the company is not growing bigger because we are still doing small projects,” reveals Eleena.
“It is a slow process because you have to build a portfolio and show clients that you are capable of delivering the product [design] that meets or exceeds their expectations.”
EJA’s prominent projects include Sepang House, Vermani House, KL Spiral Link, Bamboo Pavilion and Rompin Hostel.
“The bamboo projects are quite memorable for us as we were involved in the process of construction and design. We learnt a lot from these projects,” says Eleena.
She explains that she uses bamboo in her design projects due to its high sustainability. “A tree takes about 50 years to grow, whereas bamboo only takes about three. We use bamboo for temporary structures and pavilion projects and we are also doing research on the practicality of using bamboo for terraced houses and low-rise buildings.”
The firm was shortlisted for the Dezeen Awards, Architect of the Year 2018 and was a finalist for Sepang House at Italy, Plan Award 2016. EJA’s latest projects include The Buzz.ar, the firm’s first commercial project, in collaboration with Gamuda Land, and an engineering laboratory in Kuala Lumpur.
Inspired by origami
Located in Kota Kemuning, Selangor — a township about 20km southwest of Kuala Lumpur — is commercial centre, The Buzz.ar. Completed in February, it is 50m to 60m long with a built-up of 13,993 sq ft. The building provides large spaces for events, performances and shops for people in the neighbourhood.
“The Buzz.ar’s design concept is inspired by origami. The client wanted something like a folding structure and we came up with a continuous roof-folding structure,” says Eleena.
The commercial centre is built on a flat site with the back facing a row of show houses to the south and the front positioned to the north overlooking an open green field and lake. The design is such that the activities can seamlessly spill out onto the field and lake.
At the western end of the building, the structure of the roof is fully exposed, except for the addition of horizontal steel battens that act as sunshades.
“Here, the structure moves straight into the ground and supports the play swings that are hung from it. At the eastern end, the roof folds up high to form a large performance space. Behind this are “garden” restrooms, which are ventilated through internal green courtyards,” says Eleena.
These restrooms can cater for large numbers of visitors during events.
Openings in the roof are carved out around the centre of the building to create a light-filled green courtyard. This courtyard links the rear of the building to the front, where most activities take place.
“We try to design buildings in a north-south direction. The Buzz.ar’s position is most conducive for passive solar design, where direct sunlight is less intense facing north and south, which keeps spaces cool and comfortable. Lush greenery around the area is important to provide shade to the building to decrease solar-gained heat,” Eleena says.
The coherent geometric pattern of angular lines seen in the roof is replicated throughout the building, for example, in the glazing configurations and floor finishes.
“Tall windows are broken up by solid angular panels and the floor finish is a combination of three different textures that snake geometrically through the spaces,” she adds.
A key principle in designing the building was flexibility, which enables it to be used for future programmes and activities, thus promoting sustainability.
“In order to achieve this goal, The Buzz.ar provides borderless spaces with soft details for different occupations and use. The layout is simple, organised with small clusters of enclosed volumes arranged around wide terraces,” she says.
There is no main entrance to this building, visitors and residents can enter from all directions. “The design is conducive for open and flexible architecture that creates visual and spatial connections with its surroundings. The openness of the layout promotes air circulation in the building,” Eleena adds.
Engineering laboratory
This project involves the expansion of an existing full-scale structural engineering laboratory to include a new range of state-of-art testing for building materials and structural elements.
Managed by Construction Research Institute Malaysia (CIDB), the laboratory is situated within an existing warehouse-like structure in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. The laboratory is open to visitors.
“The existing interior had to be stripped bare to replace the flooring, partitions, ceilings and services,” says Eleena. Completed in January, the laboratory has a total built-up of 3,660 sq ft.
Although a laboratory is perceived to be sterile and clean, Eleena says it is also a testing ground for new ideas and thus can be a creative place. The design concept was to establish a vibrant and creative space for research, testing, demonstration and training.
The laboratory’s rooms have high ceilings and heavy-duty flooring, with a small area to receive guests. “Brightly coloured epoxy resin floors are used to differentiate distinct zones — yellow is used for the guest lobby and corridors and blue for laboratories,” Eleena says.
The laboratory’s rooms are designed to enable observation of apparatus and testing. “The glazed panels run in continuous strips along the corridor and are skewed to break up the monotony of the spaces. The strip windows bring natural light into the interior spaces,” she adds.
Upcoming projects
EJA’s upcoming projects include the Jalan Terasek house at Bangsar, which involves the remodelling of an end-lot terraced house for a young couple with two children. The project is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
The second project is Masjid Karwa at Tanjong Tokong, Penang. The 12,500 sq ft mosque will accommodate up to 1,200 worshippers and is slated for completion by this July.
Finally, Kolej Vokasional Juasseh in Negeri Sembilan, the upgrading of an existing vocational school into a full college for SPM school leavers interested in vocational training. The completion date is yet to be confirmed.
Save by subscribing to us for your print and/or digital copy.
P/S: The Edge is also available on Apple's AppStore and Androids' Google Play.