Since the construction of the Petronas Twin Towers, Malaysia, and its capital Kuala Lumpur in particular, has become a reference in architecture worldwide. Thus, it is not surprising to see it produce other noteworthy buildings. Only this time, the main focus is not height, but, on the contrary, that they are good examples of bioclimatic and sustainable architecture. Eight unusual buildings will lengthen the urban front of Putrajaya, located about 30 km south of the capital and known as Precinct 4.
The project was born from a cooperation between Studio Nicoletti Associati and a local firm, the Hijjas Kasturi Associates, that created the entire urban arrangement of the area, taking into great account the relationship between the city and the surrounding lake. However, these eight buildings are, without a doubt, the most interesting part of the whole set.
Their small height and transparency are their most striking features; and the global image vaguely or purposedly evokes naval motifs, be them pilled up boats, vertically showing their framework or a sailing boat fleet on a boat race. That's why the project is already known as the Putrajaya fleet. Nevertheless, there are also remnants of islamic architecture, suggested by the curvature of the buildings. And in the end it all comes down to residences like any other residence, that also include balconies, shades, natural ventilation, green spaces, etc.
Whether this image was intentional or not, the truth is it results from the introduction, in architectonic design, of new elements and new problems to solve. These outside demands and their specific needs, many of which with a technological side to them, are an important stimulus and a key factor in the renewal of architectonic language. The authors of this project were able to do it masterfully.
