A Divine Intervention | Glad Tidings Church Office by DRTAN LM Architect

A long awaited blessing comes true at Glad Tidings Church, where parishioners find its outdated office reborn under 21st century conventions as a bigger, better and brighter sanctuary for total productivity.

Words by Monisha Sivanesan | Images courtesy of Lin Ho

Nestled within the old industrial district of Section 13 in Petaling Jaya, Glad Tidings Church is a visual respite from its dour surroundings. Having opened its doors back in 1963, its devoted congregation has only grown bigger over the years, resulting in a long awaited call for a thorough revamp and upgrade of their obsolete office. Fulfilling the needs of the flock is DRTAN LM Architect, pioneer of the Modern Tropical (ModTrop) movement which emphasises on community, culture and innovative designs for a sustainable planet. What arises in the transformative rebirth is a natural interplay of volume and surfaces tempered by wood grains, clear glass and white walls, converging to define a bright and contemporary interior kaleidoscope.

Upon inspecting the building during the crucial site visit stage, it was decided that the main staircase structure linking its three storeys—Ground Level, Level 1 and Level 2—will be retained, but crafted as a spiral with the turning steel clad over its existing timber balustrade. In the end, a superior stairway to heaven converts the main lobby into a more memorable, more welcoming space.

Since the brief required immediate solving of the existing congested office issue, Ar. Dr. Tan Loke Mun and his dedicated team figured the best way forward involved the installation of multi-functional rooms, the reconfiguration of open work spaces and the re-planning of amenities to cater to new needs. Ergo, you’ll find the refurbished office on Level 1 features a new boardroom, discussion rooms, communal pantries and other ancillary facilities; the first two, among others, are surrounded by transparent glass walls to maintain the open feel of the layout.

In addition, the interiors are backed by solid timber lattice walls, acting as acoustically treated panelling with a clean modern outlook. More than just an aesthetic choice, these provide enough privacy while allowing air-conditioned air to flow through easily and cool the offices more efficiently. For those that prefer extra privacy and a noise-free environment though, soundproof pods are made available— perfect for accommodating virtual meetings and more flexible styles of working.

Injecting a cheerful burst of colour to the otherwise soothing neutral palette is the bright yellow carpet that begins at the foyer. It extends all the way across to the rear, leading into the spacious wedding chapel area which is an integral part of the community centre. Coincidence or not, with yellow being traditionally associated with joy and happiness, the design team couldn’t have made a better choice when it came to representing the path to holy matrimony.

Heading up to Level 2, you’ll arrive at the Media & Communication Department (MAC), focused on media planning, multimedia creation and film production. While there is another open office space assigned here, it is much smaller, as the primary agenda are the two production studios designed to stimulate creativity in the department. Both are acoustically treated and easily adjusted for optimum lux level and colour temperature. The rest of the layout includes a dark room, changing room and communal pantry for social gatherings.

And so the first Assembly of God Church in Petaling Jaya becomes a transitional space blissfully caught between the old and the new: the refurbished existing office block and the unfinished aesthetic of the Glad Tidings Vision Centre, both structures congregated to form and embrace the courtyard. Through contemporary design choices and meticulous planning that prioritises multifunctionality and preserves the structural integrity of the original structure as much as possible, DRTAN LM Architect has managed to do more than just create a super spacious work environment fit for all the congregation’s various needs. It has revitalised the entire atmosphere of the church office, and even beyond its perimeters, not forgetting to do the very same to the spirit of all those who step inside it.

About DRTAN LM Architect

DRTAN LM Architect is a multi-award winning solution provider and facilitator in design, planning and architecture. The firm is also a pioneer of the Modern Tropical movement (ModTrop) emphasising community, culture and innovative designs for a sustainable earth. They possess an extensive portfolio of projects ranging from private residential projects to commercial ones, such as the Verandah House in Bukit Damansara, Kemaris House in Bangsar, PJKita in Kelana Jaya, Selindung Daun in Ulu Yam, Tunku Abdul Rahman University College and Keponggi Square in Kuala Lumpur to name a few.

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DRTAN LM Architect | dtlm.com.my