SITE RESPONSE
The building site is sandwiched between a tranquil rivermouth on one side (Sungai Pulai) and swathes of beautiful mangrove swamps on the other 700m from the berths. In one of the first presentations to our client, we developed the theme that over a vast expense of space, massing and shilouette becomes important to the buildings and that low rise was more appropriate than high rise.

Secondly, we proposed the notion that all habitable working spaces were to be shielded by a second outer layer of screening to promote the feeling of shelter and cocoon in an open landscape exposed to the extremes of equatorial weather.

Thirdly, by huddling the buildings together around a courtyard, we create a shaded and calm focal point for the port that could be used for recreation, away from the potentially harsh environment outside.

DEVELOPING AN IDENTITY FOR THE PORT
Ports are now conceived as high tech interchanges or port cities that support a vast hinterland of economic and social activities. They are becoming easier and easier to use as government controls are eased. They have become catalysts for growth and are now drawing in people involved in all sorts of activities. The port buildings were designed to capture the spirit of modern shipping but the major part of its architectural character came out of a climatic response.

A CLIMATIC APPROACH - PASSIVE SOLAR SHADING
There are actually three buildings forming the PAC. The site is extremely exposed to the elements. The orientation of the building site was such that the Administration building had to face west-southwest and we had to do something about the late afternoon sun piercing through. We wanted the views of the estuary and container yard but not the heat. So we had to screen off the glass walls without destroying the view out. By leaning out the main facade, we delayed the sun actually hitting the glass by about 1 hour! The solar shading elements used, such as the ribbon teflon shades and horizontal blade extrusions and leaning glass walls evokes the sensous qualities of ocean liners. Standing on the cantilevered walkways one has an impression of being out at sea. The same approach in an inner city site would not work.

The Customs building fitted very well into the back of the Port Administration Building. By virtue of its orientation its lateral walls would receive morning and evening sun at lower angles. Here, we used full height extruded aluminium blades to shade the glass walls from direct radiation throughout the length of the day. You can actually see this effect by ‘reading’ the shadow from inside the office space.

The atrium, shaded by the office wings and teflon roof only ever receives the overhead sun directly for about 3 hours, which is not the hottest. There is plenty of ventilation around this element so the heat is never trapped within. There is no mechanical cooling in the atrium. During the design stage no one could actually predict the temperatures under the teflon roof! It’s turned out to be a lot cooler inside than outside.