Utusan Melayu HQ

Utusan Melayu (M) Berhad Corporate Headquarters project began in May 2008 as a competition. The design brief stated that the media organisation intends to house all its 980 staff members and three (3) subsidiary companies under one roof.

Located at Jalan Chan Sow Lin, Sungai Besi, an area dominated by industrial and automobile businesses, the scheme proposed was more of a unified entity with an introvert concept. Surrounded by industrial buildings, the building was designed to focus inwards, where the spatial relationship and daily organisation activities are the main focus.

Consisting of 3 blocks (Block A-office, Block B-main lobby and Block C-carpark block with retail and cafetaria), Block A is a seven-storey office that provide spaces for all the departments under Utusan Melayu including 3 subsidiary companies. The ground floor is devoted for main entrance lobby, a function hall for 400 pax, photography studio and gallery. The first floor is dedicated to the public, given to the Main Library and Archive. With it's core activities being publishing, printing, advertising and online services, the floors above are dedicated for the main offices of the Editorial departments (Utusan Malaysia, Mingguan Malaysia and Kosmo), Corporate Communication, Branding, CEO and Chief Editor's offices, Legal & Audit, Photography and Pre-Press. A relevant number of support facilities such as meeting rooms, discussion areas, restrooms and pantry are provided at each level. The top floors are Finance, Credit Control, Human Resources, Staff Training Centre, Property Administration, Risk Management, JUASA and UMES.

Block B is the main lobby and connector that receives guests and staff members to this Multimedia Publication House from the main entrance as well as from the existing office at Jalan Lima. Measuring 8 meters in width and 80 meters in length, it rises from the ground to reveal a triple volume glazed lobby, gallery and office spaces above, allowing its spaces be bathed in natural daylight. The glass lobby concept is originally created to establish a dialogue between the greater weights of Block A and Block C and the lightness of Block B. While these elements connects and integrate the separate buildings and their diverse functions within one organisation, they also represent the group as a part of the community, symbolising the organisation's desire for transparency and accessibility for the public at large.