Continew consists of 3-storey retail, 5-storey offices with 2 towers of apartment (47 and 50 storey) housing 510 units over a 7-storey podium carpark where the facility floor and a 50m length infinity edged swimming pool sits on top with panoramic views over the majestic Tun Razak Exchange. It is located in-front of the historical bustling Pudu wet market, surrounded by pre-war shop-houses along its busy streets well-known for its mouth-watering delicacies, fresh goods and produce.
Coincidentally, the overall form takes cue from the “butcher knife” shaped site, relating symbolically to the adjacent market. 3-dimensional faceted forms of angular, folding and slanting perforated metal and composite panels were consistently used on the façade to accentuate the overall shape and form, culminating with the sculptural Sky Lantern, Sky Lounge and Sky Deck at the beacon crown. This added sculptural dimension allows interplay of light and shadow throughout the day heightening the depth of its architecture. The 2 towers with serrated façade and cascading heights created an illusion of multiple blocks.
Contextually, the 3 storey retail units were deliberately placed facing the market (Jalan Yew) to retain commercial continuity with its neighbour.
The site is connected at both ends via Jalan Tun Razak & Jalan Yew which lead to the Grand Lobby where visitors are ceremoniously greeted by an “avatar like” garden with 6 pillars of flushed sculptural trees. Another cascading garden was inserted at entrance fronting Jalan Tun Razak who neighbour is a Buddhist Temple and a maternal clinic. These “oasis” provides a green solitude and quiet relief from the noisy bustling streets outside and an otherwise fairly sterile and stark neighbourhood. Hanging Sky Gardens linking both towers at every 4 floors provides a sustainable biophilic environment connecting with the rest of the gardens in the development.
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