Vervea

Project Name
Aspen Plot 3 Vervea

Location
Batu Kawan, Penang

Scope

Architecture, Materplanning

Status

Completed, 2019

The first phase of Aspen Vision City, Vervea, is an initiative by Aspen Group to enliven the town of Bandar Cassia, Batu Kawan. Perched atop a 35-acre parcel of freehold land, the comprehensive development is envisioned as a bustling business district, comprising four main components, including a shopping mall, office towers, a boutique hotel, and a convention centre.

Vervea comprises 434 units of 3&4 storey stratified shop offices with a multi-storey car park. The multi-storey car park is topped off with one of the largest convention center in the region.

We encountered several statutory and navigational obstacles while working on developing the commercial phase, but those were swiftly dealt with using efficient solutions. To address these issues, we divided the commercial building into colour-coded sections with four entrances. This approach allowed us to enhance wayfinding for better visitor experiences.

On top of that, we methodically researched prevailing winds prior to building the structure. One of the most fascinating aspects of this project is the roof that runs along the center of the building. Made from the transparent and lightweight polymer ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene), the engineering -challenging roof was designed to cover the middle section without any columns attached. Derived from wind flow, the “roof pillow” cools the area under the roof by 3-5 degrees. We also worked closely with a German team to assemble the inverted roof, with the thrust being on the external side, making Vervea an innovative architectural feat and Malaysia’s biggest ETFE project. Aside from the innovative and visually appealing aesthetic, this ensured the area was optimally ventilated.

The commercial precinct was designed to be a green and environmentally friendly space. The emphasis was on landscaping, making everything integrated and cohesive with natural sunlight incorporated around the area to boost plant growth. Linkages were also created all around the precinct to encourage people to walk and explore the area. Additionally, to comply with statutory guidelines, we also made sure there were adequate fire hydrants all across the commercial plot to safeguard visitors and vendors alike.