Bosch - Arkitek LLA

Project Name
Bosch Batu Kawan Plant

Location
Batu Kawan, Penang

Scope
Architecture, Interior design

Status
Completed

“Good design should promote fine and exemplary goods and designs.” –Robert Bosch, 1927

The Bosch Plant (PGP5) in Batu Kawan Industrial Park was a revolutionary game changer for our process-led thinking at LLA. It is not every day that we can embark on a journey of transformation with pioneers of pivotal designs that withstand the test of time. Our vision was to liberalise the paradigm of industrial factories in the region, giving priority to placemaking and celebrating togetherness.

Working in collaboration with lead consultant M.E.I Consultants, the outcome was a vigorous process of breaking down and rebuilding the design concept is an exceptional idea centered around biophilia. The approach taken was humble and honest – to humanise the industrial setup with nature and culture. Guided by Bosch’s commitment for a sustainable, ecological, and socially responsible masterplan, the first phase of this ambitious setup was delivered and awarded the DGNB Platinum Award by the German Sustainable Building Council (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen).

PGP5 is the first industrial building in Asia and the 9th industrial building in the world receiving the Platinum Award after extensive assessments of not only sustainable and climatic performance of the design, but also evaluation of the Life Cycle Assessment, Holistic approach (Biodiversity, People and Culture) and Performance Orientation (all stages until projected end-life).

Architecturally, the most prominent departure from the prototype of a production facility is the borderless (fenceless) premise. PGP5 became the ‘green lung’ in the industrial park with its welcoming gesture of inverting its social areas at the entrance zone. The spirit of Collaboration, Connection and Co-existence is advocated naturally upon setting foot into the premise, especially when approaching the Entrance Building with its tropical setting. By design, inclusivity is embraced and perceived and human barriers are deconstructed. What emerges are non-discriminatory and values-based spaces.

We believe that this project truly translates and transforms Bosch’s principle of Purposeful Design as manifested in its Production Plant, architecturally achieving the following core values set forth in all their product designs:

Inherent Usability (user-friendly, unique, beautiful, and aesthetically pleasing)
Familiarity (intuitive and experiential)
Timeless (withstands the test of time)