webbook

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SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN
Centre for Modern Architecture Studies in Southern Asia (MASSA)
Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Architecture)
Architecture Culture & History 2 [ARC 60203]
Architecture Analysis Report
Tutor:
Ms Ida
Building Proposed:
Wisma Lee Rubber
Group Members:
Tristan Yu Tze-Xien (Leader)
Teo Hong Wei
Yan Wai Chun
Tang Ju Yi

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Introduction
This project is the refurbishment of the original 29 storey Wisma Lee Rubber, a building located on a
square shaped lot of 17,000sf on Jalan Melaka at the heart of the business district of the old city centre.
The new design seeks to rejuvenate the old building in a more contemporary image suited to the
company's current outlook. The office tower is re-finished in a new curtain wall of glass and stainless
steel cladding. Vertical sun- shading fins, juxtaposed against a fully glazed façade accentuate the
verticality of the building. The top penthouse floors which cantilever out are unified to read as a
transparent, delicate glass box crowning the building. Illuminated at night, it transforms into a lit
lantern perched atop the structure.At street level, the former car porch is extended with a glass roof
canopy to create a semi-outdoor verandah with a sidewalk café to engage the vibrant street life of its
neighborhood.
Fast Facts of the building
- Name: Wisma Lee Rubber
- Location: No. 1, Jalan Melaka, 50100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Function: A 29 stories office tower at the heart of business district of the old city centre.
- Wisma Lee Rubber is equipped with amenities such as 24-hour concierge service enhancing
security
- There is a “street-side” café.
- The new architectural design continues the “modern simplicity” of the original building.
- the office tower will be re-finished with a glass-and-stainless steel curtain wall.
- The design with vertical stainless steel sun-shading fins against a fully glazed facade creates a
soaring visual effect to accentuate the height of the building.
- At night, the top floors when lit are designed as a light box creating a distinctive light sculpture
that will appear to glow from afar.
- The dramatic glass canopy creates a sheltered semi-outdoor verandah space with a sidewalk
café to encourage more activities in the area beyond office hours.

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History
Touted as Kuala Lumpur’s first high-rise office tower when it was completed in 1980, Wisma Lee
Rubber in Jalan Melaka, Kuala Lumpur was recently upgraded and refurbished at a cost of RM24
million. This 29-storey building is owned by the Lee Rubber group. This building is also a former OCBC
Bank Malaysia main office which recently moved to its own Menara OCBC located not far from here.
The refurbishment exercise, together with the new OCBC Bank headquarters in the vicinity, help to
accelerate urban rejuvenation in the area. The major shareholder of both Lee Rubber and OCBC Bank is
the family of the late Singaporean tycoon and philanthropist Lee Kong Chian.
The company, Lee Rubber Co. (Pte) Ltd. started business in Muar, Johor, in 1927. At the time, Malaya
and Singapore were considered one country. According to Lee Foundation financial controller and
director Lee Seng Chuan, the Lee Rubber group continues to show confidence in Malaysia by investing
in several infrastructures. The company has recently built two new rubber processing factories in
Kedah and Kelantan, each costing around RM40 million. Furthermore, it also operating hypermarket in
Segamat, Malacca and Batu Pahat, with each structure costing RM20 million.
Architects
Original Architect: Arthur Oakley Coltman (A.O. Coltman) was a British architect practising in Malaya
for 32 years where he worked as manager of the architecture firm Booty Edwards & Partners. He was
the first earliest architect that brings in Art Deco architecture style into Malaya during 1920s. He
arrived in Malaya in 1925 and retired in 1957. He was on active service during the First World War
before working in the Transvaal, and was officially listed as an absentee member of the Transvaal
Provincial Institute of Architects from about 1931 to 1938.
He was responsible for many of Kuala Lumpur's greatest Art Deco structures, including the Clock Tower,
OCBC Building, and Oriental Building. He also designed the Anglo-Oriental Building, which is now
known as Wisma Ekran; Lee Rubber Building, Rubber Research Institute and the Odeon
Cinema.Coltman died in Sussex, England at the age of 67 in 1961.

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Architect in-charge of refurbishment: The
VERITAS Design Group was founded in 1987
upon the principles of constant innovation and
a commitment to quality.Today the VERITAS
Design Group is led by its Group President
David Mizan Hashim and Principals Lillian Tay,
Azif Nasaruddin, Ng Yiek Seng, Azril Amir
Jaafar, Zainal F. Abdul Aziz, Shamsuddin
Wahap, Eric Tham, Shah Jaffar and Richard
Raymond and is backed by a team of over 330
qualified professionals and professional
support staff.
Refurbishment of the Wisma Lee Rubber was
taken place of the whole building was done by
Veritas Architects Sdn Bhd company, by
Architect Azril Azmi Jaafar. Azril proceed with
the 'modern simplicity' of the first building.
The new outlook tries to restore the old
building in a more contemporary revolution of
style to suit the organization's present
viewpoint.
Architect Azril Azmi Jaafar

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CONTENT
1. Site context analysis
Building accessibility
Relationship of building to surroundings
Respond to climate
2. Architectural layout of building - written by Teo Hong Wei
Plan to section or elevation analysis
Circulation to use-space
Organization analysis
3. Architecture style analysis - written by Tristan Yu Tze-Xien
Style adopted and characteristics
History of Art Deco.
Refurbishment
Spatial organization
4. Building construction, structure and materials analysis - written by Yan Wai Chun
Specific structure / materials of building
Comparative study
5. Architectural elements / components analysis - written by Tang Ju Yi
Significant components
( Roof , door , staircase , window , shading , stainless steel column )

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1
SITE CONTEXT ANALYSIS
Group work
Building Accessibility
Relationship of Building to surroundings
Respond to Climate

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BUILDING ACESSIBILITY
Wisma Lee Rubber Building is
located at Jalan Melaka, right
opposite Masjid Jamek (Putra &
Star) LRT Station. Traffic jam
often happens at the main road,
Jalan Melaka in between the
two buildings. In order to
approach the Wisma Lee
Rubber building, one needs
make a right turn at the
junction from Jalan Tun Perak
into Jalan Melaka. The Oriental Building sits right in front of the junction. The Wisma Lee Rubber
building is located at the same row as the Oriental Building which is right beside it. The Wisma Lee
Rubber building has two entrances, which is the main entrance and the parking lot entrance. The
entrance clearance allows passengers to unload and prevent congestion of the main road. Meanwhile,
the parking lot entrance which leads to the basement is located at the back of the building. This allows
employees and visitors to park their cars there and access to different levels of the building using the
lift.
Main Entrance Parking Lot Entrance

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RELATIONSHIP OF BUILDING TO SURROUNDINGS
The Wisma Lee Rubber is located in a prestige and convenience location in the heart of the city. It is
located along Jalan Melaka, bounded by Jalan Tun Perak, Jalan Gereja and the old colonial cluster at
Dataran Merdeka. Shopping centres, banks, offices and numerous major commercial buildings are
located around Wisma Lee Rubber. For unparalleled accessibility, the Putra and Star LRT ( Masjid
Jamek station ) stations are just few steps across the road. Wisma Lee Rubber is located 16 metres
from Menara Bumiputera, 107 metres from Bangunan Abdul Zamal, 48 metres from Wisma Tas, 26
metres from Bangunan Moccis, and 62 metres from Wisma Konwa. All these buildings are surrounded
and constructed in the same area which has a one-way entrance ( Lebuh Ampang to Jalan Melaka ).

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RESPOND TO CLIMATE
Daylighting incorporated from multiple
directions to create even lighting quality. Shade
for the North windows with overhang creates
necessary internal comfort. Orient the floor plan
on an east-west axis for the best control of
daylight allows penetration of sunlight into the
building. The Interior and exterior glazing
maximizes daylight transmission.
WIND DIRECTION
The building opens to the south and west, it takes
advantage of the prevailing winds for cross ventilation to
occur (a passive energy demand energy saving). Air
substantially reduces the load on the air conditioning
system to cool down the whole building.
Sun Path
Section of the building

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2
ARCHITECTURAL LAYOUT OF
BUILDING
By Teo Hong Wei
Plan to section or elevation analysis
Circulation to use-space
Organization Analysis

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View from North-West side of
the building
Ground Floor Plan
Wisma Lee Rubber is a 29-storey-building which meets a corner set
at a 45° angle facing the street. The Architectural layout is slightly
different after the refurbishment. The new architectural design by
Veritas Architects Sdn Bhd continued the “modern simplicity” of
the original building. The office tower is re-finished in a new
curtain wall of glass and stainless steel cladding. Vertical sun-
shading fins, juxtaposed against a fully glazed façade accentuate
the verticality of the building. The top penthouse floors which
cantilever out are unified to read as a transparent, delicate glass
box crowning the building. At the street level, the former car porch
will be extended with a dramatic glass canopy to create a sheltered
semi-outdoor verandah space with a sidewalk café to encourage
more activities in the area beyond office hours.

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The reception area of this building is located at ground floor, just after the main entrance. The
reception counter is located on the left side upon entering from the main entrance while the security
gate is located on the right side. This is the only entrance to access the lifts, and the higher levels.
There are total of 7 lifts in this building. The three lifts located on the East side of the building is the
high rise lifts which access to level 16-28 while the three lifts on the West side are low rise lifts which
access level 1-16. The only lift in the middle is the car park lift which acess floors below the ground.
Most of the floors above ground are for office use besides ground floor which has a reception area and
restaurants, and 16th floor which has a gymnasium and surau. The only public area of Wisma Lee
Rubber is ground floor, before the security gate.
Typical Floor Plan level 19-25

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In a typical office floor, the lifts would be in a long corridor with two ends which are the entrance of
two different offices. The toilets and stairs(fire exits) are just beside the entrance of the office in the
corridor. There are two main stairs in the building which is at both east and west corner of the building.
Since the building is square shaped, there are hardly any useless space as all of the spaces are well
organized and used.
Lift LocationReception Area
Lift Corridor above Ground Floor Office Entrance

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Wisma Lee Rubber is a square shaped building. It has a strong geometric shape that meets a corner set
at a 45° angle. It is symmetrically balance on the east and west side of the building. Both plan and
elevation show that the east and west side of the building is exactly the same. The hierarchy of space
usage is obviously shown with the difference on private and public area of the building. The ground
floor is the only public area of the building and also the only entrance to the upper part of the building,
which means that the space usage of this area is the most of all.
Upper Roof Plan Front Elevation

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3
ARCHITECTURE STYLE ANALYSIS
By Tristan Yu Tze-Xien
Style adopted and characteristics
History of Art Deco
Refurbishment
Spatial Organization

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ART DECO
Art Deco style appeared in France just before World War I. It emerged in the late 1920s and 1930s,
thus began flourishing internationally before its popularity warned after World War II. The style is
often characterized by rich colours, bold geometric shapes and lavish ornamentation.
The art deco style, which above all reflected modern technology, was characterized by smooth lines,
symmetrical, geometric shapes, streamlined forms and bright, sometimes garish colours. Initially a
luxury style employing costly materials like silver, crystal, ivory, jade and lacquer, it also used cheaper
and mass-produced materials like chrome, plastics, and other industrial items catering to the growing
middle class taste for a design style that was elegant, glamorous and functional. It drew its impacts
from distant locations abroad, touching on a scope of styles, from Ancient Egypt to advanced modern
industrial machinery. In numerous parts of the world, Art Deco stood for modernity and the escape
from convention. It offered an accessible image of modern life and progress, more fun than competing
forms of design such as Modernism. At the same time, designers could adapt Art Deco to convey
national or local identities and meanings, using native decorative forms and subject matter.
Wisma Lee Building, 1967Oriental Building, 1931 OCBC Bank, 1937

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ART DECO STYLE CAME TO MALAYA
Despite developing in distant Europe, the art deco influenced has reached Tropical Malaya in 1920s.
While most of Malaysia’s best known Art Deco buildings are in the Kuala Lumpur area, in fact, it is
amazing how quickly Art Deco style spread throughout British Malaya. Look at the history of the
movement and admires some of the buildings that bear testament to that era of style. Art Deco left its
mark on pretty much every urban settlement which saw some degree of prosperity during the interwar
years. Art Deco is very unrealistic to even continue its previous position of impact in Malaysia, or in
whatever is left of the world besides. Luckily, many superb structures stay from the time when this
enchanting, idealistic style held influence in Malaya. Styles may change, yet genuine magnificant
preserves.
ARCHITECT
British Architect, Arthur Oakley Coltman, known as A.O.
Coltman, who came to Malaya practicing for 32 years where
he worked as manager of the architecture firm Booty
Edwards & Partners. He arrived in Malaya in 1925 and
retired in 1957. He was responsible to be the first architect
that brings in Art Deco Style into Malaya, thus many of Kuala
Lumpur’s greatest Art Deco structures was designed by him.
Which include the Clock Tower, OCBC Building, Oriented
building, Odeon Cinema, and therefore Lee Rubber building
was one of the iconic building, which also known as Kuala
Lumpur first high-rise office tower sits on the prominent
center of Jalan Melaka at Kuala Lumpur town. All these
buildings are recognisably Art Deco yet simultaneously
possess their own unique charm.
Wisma Lee Building completed
in 1980

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ELEMENTS AND CHARACTERISTICS
There are few aspects that makes Lee Rubber building looks iconic, as it was a modern building
incorporate with Art Deco style. For example, the front façade of the building have a very sleek, linear
appearance that stands vertically tall by itself. The primary façade of the building often feature series
of set backs that create a stepped vertical outline. It mainly constructed in a regular geometric
rectangular form, with four sides of flat façade that convey a feeling of sturdy structure standing
among the rest of the building surrounding. The proportion of this building is very similar to the
existing buildings surrounding, for example the Oriental building right next to Lee Rubber building consistsof
sharp edged with linear appearance. And also, Wisma Tas consists strips of horizontal windows that seems
similar to Wisma Lee Rubber. Besides that, the front façade of Lee Rubber building emphasize on the vertical
movement,from the perspective view the horizontal rows of rectangular pattern of windows which also
contribute to the movement of the building. Besides, the façade feature distinctive smooth and clean
finishes building materials such as Stucco.
Lee Rubber Building, after refurbishment completed in year 2008

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Later, refurbishment of the building was done by Veritas Architects Sdn Bhd which continue the
‘modern simplicity’ of the original building. The new design seeks to rejuvenate the old building in a
more contemporary image to suit the company’s current outlook. According to architect, Azril Azmi
Jaafar, the new office tower was refinished with glass-and-stainless steel curtain wall. The design with
vertical stainless steel sun-shading fins against a fully glazed façade will create a soaring visual effect to
accentuate the height of the building. The top penthouse floors which cantilever out are unified
conveying transparent, delicate glass box crowning the building. At night, the top floors transforms
into a lit as a light box creating a distinctive light sculpture that will appear glow from afar. Although
many changes have done which use new construction technology to refurbish the building, but it still
remain its own identity of style.
Chrysler building, completed in 1930

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SIMILARITIES WITH CHRYSLER BUILDING
The style used to design this building is similar to the building of
William Van Alen, Chrysler building. There are few aspects that
makes this building similar to Chrysler building in terms of the
form and proportion of the building. The very obvious
characteristics between this two buildings that makes it looks
similarity is the usage of linear design. In many Art Deco
designs, you find strong linear elements and bold vertical and
horizontal elements. Thus, lines tends to be linearly straight.
The front façade of the building emphasize on the vertical linear
lines as a façade Architect William Van Alen
SECTION VIEW of Lee
Rubber building
SPATIAL ORGANISATION
The specific spatial linear organization for the Lee Rubber building
is similar to Chrysler Building. A linear organization of forms
consists of a series of levels of working spaces. These spaces can
be directly linked through a separate distinct space. Spaces that
are functionally or symbolically important to the organization can
occur anywhere along the linear sequence and their important
articulated by size and form. As seen in the section of Lee Rubber
building, the lift is in vertical rows in the center of the building
with horizontal 29-storeys of rows of rooms, where the different
levels of spaces accommodate for working office build for work
purposes only. As the user experience from the inside of the
building is quite open towards the surrounding from the windows,
as the sunlight penetrates into the double-glazed window. Thus
people get to experience the view from inside out and also allow
passive light into the building.

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4
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION,
STRUCTURE AND MATERIALS
ANALYSIS
By Yan Wai Chum
Specific Structure of building
Materials of building
Comparative Study

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Wisma Lee Rubber was upgraded and refurbished in year 2008. The new architectural design by Veritas
Architects Sdn Bhd continued the “modern simplicity” of the original building. According to architect
Azril Azmi Jaafar, the office tower re-finished with a glass-and-stainless steel curtain wall. The design
with vertical stainless steel sun-shading fins against a fully glazed facade creates a soaring visual effect
to accentuate the height of the building. At night, the top floors when lit are designed as a light box
creating a distinctive light sculpture that will appear to glow from afar. At the street level, the former
car porch will be extended with a dramatic glass canopy to create a sheltered semi-outdoor verandah
space.
Before Refurbishment After Refurbishment

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GROUND FLOOR
Floor, columns, walls and staircases in front of the foyer of the ground floor are all cladded with granite
tiles. The existing granite cladding on existing column was removed and replaced with new wall
cladding to be watertight to provide good resistance towards rain water. Reception area is accessible
through the glass-sliding door which connected with the staircase and the ramp in front of foyer. The
ramp was renewed with 12mm thick tempered glass wall with stainless steel handrail.
A 17.52mm thick laminated glass ( which consisted of 8mm thick clear heat strengthen glass, 1.52mm
thick of clear PVB layer and 8mm thick of clear heat strengthen glass ) with spider fitting was installed
to avoid rain water. The porch outside was extended with 21.52mm thick laminated glass ( which
consisted of 10mm thick light green tinted annealed glass, 1.52mm thick clear PVB layer and 10mm
thick clear annealed float glass ) with 25% coverage pokka dot ceramic fritted ( canopy glass ).
Renewed ramp, column and staircase (in front of foyer)

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Small reception area with a reception counter located in front of the lift lobby. A frameless glass door
was constructed behind the reception counter for authorised personnel only. Frameless glass walls are
constructed beside the glass-sliding door in the reception area. Automatic turnstiles are used for
security control and as the main access point of the building. There are seven lifts in the lift lobby, one
of the lifts is connected with the basement carpark,three lifts on the north side are used as low rise lifts
as it can only reach at the maximum height of 16 floors. On the west side, three lifts are used as high
rise lifts as it can reach the maximum height 28 floors. Two new 12mm thick tempered glass doors are
installed beside the carpark lift in the lift lobby, which connected to the ground floor office. New 12mm
thick tempered glass walls with stainless steel frame are also installed along the tempered glass doors.
Lift lobbyLow rise & high rise lift’s sign
Laminated glasses

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MEZZANINE FLOOR
Mezzanine floor is accessible by using the staircase beside which connected with the ground floor and
the staircase inside the ground floor office.Granite tiles on the existing stairacse which connected with
ground floor are removed and replaced with new mild steel and timber staircase.Along the north side
of the mezzanine floor, new 12mm thick tempered glass screens are fixed with spider glazing system to
reduce the amount of sunlight.Timber blustrade with mild steel support and full tempered glass wall
are installed on the mezzanine floor.The café on the mezzanine floor are fully furnished and air
conditioned and also finished with granite flooring.Inside the café, there are walls constructed by
110mm thick light weight brickwall with 20mm thick cement plastering on both sides.
Automatic turnstilesReception area

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FAÇADE ( NORTH ELEVATION )
There are two types of glasses that made up the fully glazed façade and create a soaring visual effect to
accentuate the height of the building. First one is the 10.76mm thick laminated glass ( which consisted
of 5mm thick green tinted annealed float glass, 0.76mm clear PVB and 5mm thick clear annealed with
low emission glass ). Second one would be the 9.38mm thick light green tinted laminated glass ( which
consisted of 5mm thick light green tinted annealed , 0.38mm clear interlayer PVB and 4mm thick clear
annealed glass ). All the normal tempered glasses are replaced with all these tinted glasses because
they provide more privacy and better shading. On both and middle part of the façade are covered with
Mezzanine floor ( exterior )
Tempered glass screen
Spider glazing
Café ( mezzanine floor )

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4mm thick fire rated stainless steel composite panel with hairline finish. As going up to level 26
onwards, the facade looks slightly different compared to lower levels as it is extruded out which is
covered with laminated glass and stainless steel composite panels at the roof level. Those upper levels
are also designed as a light box which create a distinctive light sculpture at night.
Stainless steel composite panels & light green tinted laminated glass

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COMPARATIVE STUDY
Difference between both buildings can be observed through its floor space itself. There is a great
difference in floor space of Trump Tower and Wisma Lee Rubber, which are 2,600,000 square feet and
17,000 square feet respectively. The architectural concept and services provided by the buildings are
slightly different, Trump Tower served as the tallest residential building in North America which has 98
stories while Wisma Lee Rubber served as an office building with 28 stories. Not only the height of
buildings, Trump Tower relates to its neighbours through a series of setbacks, the first of which occurs
at levels 16.The next setback at level 29 and the third setback at level 51. On the other side, Wisma Lee
Rubber’s neighbours are all with approximately same height or even taller than the building, for
example, Maybank Tower and HSBC Tower.
Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago
Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago
by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) is a great
example of modern building in the west. By
comparing both buildings, it is observed that in
both, the façade of the buildings are using the
same construction materials. The façade of the
Trump Tower is adorned with clear anodized
aluminium and stainless steel composite panels
that reflects and refracts the light from the sun.
It also uses clear low emission laminated glass
throughout the whole tower. Both of the
buildings shared the same intention as the
materials used by the Wisma Lee Rubber are
having the same purpose of usage.
Trump International Hotel and Tower, Chicago

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Façade of Trump International Hotel and Tower Façade of Wisma Lee Rubber

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5
ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS/
COMPONENT ANALSIS
By Tang Ju YI
Specific Components:
Doors
Roof
Windows
Staircase & Ramp
Stainless Steel Columns

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DOOR
Different types of doors are used in the Wisma Lee Rubber building to differentiate the function of
each space in the building.
The type of door which is used for the main entrance is a automatic sliding glass door. While sliding
glass doors may be a luxury and decorative accessory in domestic homes, they are becoming a
necessity in business establishments. sliding glass doors ensure hassle-free customer traffic flow. The
sliding glass door imparts an element of elegance and creates a welcoming feel for the customers or
visitors of the building. The sliding glass doors avoid unwanted disturbances and dust from the streets
entering the building by shutting automatically when it is not in used. They also ample daylight indoors,
increase visibility and becomes cost-efficient.
Main Entrance Sliding Glass Door

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Other types of doors that can be found in the building include fire doors, semi-transparent glass doors
and roller shutter. The fire doors can be found at every floor of the building and are used as part of a
passive fire protection system to reduce the spread of fire or smoke between the spaces. the semi-
transparent glass doors are used in the interior of the building for the offices. They provide a sense of
privacy for the people inside of the room without blocking light. It acknowledges other people that the
space is being occupied and avoid disturbance. Roller shutter is found at the side entrance of the
building, which has narrow stairs leading each floors of the building. The roller shutter is open during
the day and covers up at night to protect the property from burglary and vandalism attempts.
Fire Door Roller ShutterSemi-Transparent Door

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ROOF
Flat roof
Art Deco designers adorned flat roofs with parapets, spires,
or tower-like constructs to accentuate a corner or entrance.
Like most urban Art Deco buildings, the Wisma Lee Rubber
Building has a flat roof with no cornice or overhang. The
roofs built much like a floor, and then waterproofed with a
layer of rubber before being covered with an attractive,
weather—resistant layer of tiles. The roof level is not
accessible to the public. The roof level is used to place
domestic water tanks, sprinkler tanks, wet riser tank and
also serves as one of the mechanical floor of the building.
The Gondola system which is used for cleaning the exterior
windows can be found on the roof level too.
Aluminium Canopy Glass roof
At street level, the former car porch is extended with a
glass roof canopy to create a semi-outdoor verandah
with a sidewalk café to engage the vibrant street life of
its neighbourhood.
Upper Roof Plan
North Elevation of the building

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The glass roof canopy increases daylight penetration, visibility of surrounding landscapes and the sky
during both day and night. Increased daylight penetration not only improves the design and
appearance of the building itself, moreover it helps in improving the well-being of people who uses the
building, the visitors, employees and customers. The glass roof also enhances ventilation and helps in
reducing electricity costs for lighting.
WINDOW
In most Art deco style buildings, windows usually appear as punctured openings. To maintain a
streamlined appearance for the building, they were often arranged in continuous horizontal bands of
glass. Wall openings are sometimes filled with decorative glass or with glass blocks, creating a contrast
of solid and void forms while admitting daylight.
Wisma Lee Rubber building uses unitised curtain wall system and unitised punch window system.
Glass Roof Canopy Close-up look at the Glass Roof

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The curtain wall is non-structural and thus can be
made of a lightweight material, which is glass. The
aluminium frame is infilled with glass, which makes
the Wisma Lee Rubber building an architecturally
pleasing building, as well as benefits such as
daylighting. When natural light penetrates deeper
within the building it brightens the spaces which are
the offices.
By providing a direct link to the dynamic and
perpetually evolving patterns of outdoor illumination,
daylighting helps create a visually stimulating and
productive environment for building occupants, while
reducing as much as one-third of total building energy
costs.
The curtain wall facade does not carry any dead load
weight, it transfers horizontal wind loads that are
incident upon it to the main building structure
through connections at floors and columns of the
building. The curtain wall of Wisma Lee Rubber
building is designed to resist air and water infiltration,
sway induced by wind and seismic forces acting on the
building, and its own dead load weight forces. The
curtain walls entail factory fabrication. The completed
units are hung on the building structure to form the
building enclosure. The advantage of using the
unitised curtain wall system includes speed of
construction; lower field installation costs; and quality
control within an interior climate controlled
environment.
Curtain wall system of Lee Rubber building

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STAIRCASE & RAMP
There are different types of staircase in the Wisma Lee Rubber building and each one of them gives out
different feelings. It is an important element in the building because it allows people to get from one
level to another.
The entrance consists of staircases and ramp. The staircase right in front of the main entrance is rather
large which creates a welcoming feeling for the visitors. The ramp which is located right beside the
main staircase allows access for wheeled items such as wheel chairs and trolleys. Rough Granite floor
tile is used as the floorings because it can enhance the gripping between the shoes and the stairs. It
helps to prevent any accidents, besides that, it also enhances the aesthetics of the stairs. The tiles gives
out a minimalistic and clean look for the entrance which makes allows the visitors’ view to be focused
on the main entrance’s door.
Unitised Punch Window System Close-up window
knob from interior
Window from interior

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Granite Ramp
Entrance Ganite Stairs

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Other stairs in the Wisma Lee Rubber building are narrower compared to the stairs at the main
entrance. This indirectly acknowledges visitors that these stairs are for private use only. For example,
the narrow stairs located at the side entrance is meant only for the staffs who work in the office
building.
SHADING
Vertical stainless steel sun-shading fins, juxtaposed against a fully glazed facade accentuate the
verticality of the building. behind these sun-shading fins are voids which acts as the lift shaft. People
can move from level to level inside the skyscraper comfortably without being exposed to the harsh
sunlight during the day.
Stairs of the side entrance Interior StairsStairs to the basement

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At street level, the former car porch is extended with a glass roof canopy to create a semi-outdoor
verandah with a sidewalk café to engage the vibrant street life of its neighbourhood. The ceilings are
very tall. Besides giving the entrance a luxurious and spacious feeling, it also cools the space easily.
Although the ceiling of the entrance is high, people are still protected from hot weather and rain. This
is because there are many large glass panels installed vertically between the upper parts of stainless
steel columns.
Vertical Glass Panels
Glass Roof Canopy
Stainless Steel Sun Shading Fins
on the building

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STAINLESS STEEL COLUMN
Columns can make a statement of their own or complement other architectural features. The stainless
steel columns of the Wisma Lee Rubber building have resistance to corrosion and they are visually
appealing. It is also easier to maintain as it can be easily cleaned. The smooth metallic surface is not
only modern and luxurious , it also gives a minimalistic clean look.
Stainless Steel Texture Stainless Steel Column

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CONCLUSION
In conclusion, Wisma Lee Rubber which was completed in the year of 1980 and refurbished on the
2008, is truly a fine example of Art Deco Style Architecture that stand among the rest of the building. It
is often overlooked, but once looked at it carefully and with an analytic eye, the beauty and pure
sturdy structure cannot be denied. It’s truly iconic feature has to be the whole building meets a corner
set at a 45° angle facing the street, symmetrically balanced on the east and west side of the building.
Besides, the front façade features a very sleek and linear appearance appears to have a very distinctive
clean façade, and also features series of setbacks that create a stepped vertical outline. The materials
used for the building looks significant with the use of glass-and-stainless steel curtain wall that creates
a soaring visual effect to accentuate the height of the sculpture. The “modern simplicity” elements of
the building tends to create a very bold and striking structure that stands out and grabs attention from
the surrounding.

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REFERENCES
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Rise-High-Profile-Hotel-In-Chicago-by-SOM
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http://www.cement.org/think-harder-concrete-/buildings-structures/case-histories/mixed-use-
buildings/trump-international-hotel-and-tower
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http://theveritasdesigngroup.com/portfolio/architecture/office-buildings/wisma-lee-
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 Wisma Lee Rubber, KL City. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2015, from http://origin-
www.iproperty.com.my/propertylisting/2162542/kl-city-office-forrent#QY8p0JC0lODgIY7A.97
 RM24mil facelift for Wisma Lee Rubber. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.thestar.com.my/Story/?file=/2005/6/3/business/11090265&sec=business
 Wisma Lee Rubber - Wikimapia. Retrieved November 10, 2015, from
http://wikimapia.org/82043/Wisma-Lee-Rubber
 New York Architecture Images- Art Deco / Art Moderne. (n.d.). Retrieved November 9, 2015,
from http://www.nyc-architecture.com/STYLES/STY-artdeco.htm