A Hub of Innovation and Community In The Heart of PJ

Crafted under the PJKita initiative by the Petaling Jaya City Council and brought to life by DTLM Design Group Sdn. Bhd., this architectural hub serves as a vibrant intersection of community engagement, sustainability and creative initiatives to drive urban living and nurture a sense of togetherness.

Words by Joel Wong | Images courtesy of H.Lin Ho

Nestled in the heart of Kelana Jaya Park, the PJKita Community Centre stands as a focal point for the local community, particularly the vibrant Generation Z. Covering 4.3 acres, this visionary project was brought to life under the PJKita initiative by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) together with the team at DTLM Design Group Sdn. Bhd., led by its principal, Ar. Dr Tan Loke Mun. The initiative aims to connect with the youth and foster a united community dedicated to building a sustainable, creative and community-driven city.

This two-storey community centre boasts a total built-up area of 310 square metres. Its ground floor features an open lobby space, facilitating a range of community events and activities. On the same level, toilets are conveniently located in the building undercroft. Ascending to the first floor unveils the PJKita management office, a meeting room and an event space housed in four glass cylindrical structures.

Embracing innovation, the community centre introduces a detached single-storey shopping street crafted from modified shipping containers. This space is dedicated to retail start-ups, providing boutique businesses with rental opportunities. Zoned areas include a food hall and market section, along with provisions for children’s activities,
a skateboard park and sports facilities.

PJKita Community Centre’s circular glazed facilities rest on off-form concrete pilotis, offering accessibility through a ramp designed to be disability-friendly. This prototype follows the T-Canopy concept, kickstarting the project with street mural painting, engaging local PJ residents and imparting valuable hands-on experience while giving back to the community.

Architecturally, the concept from the team at DrTanLM Architect envisioned a tropical ecosystem held together by a new biophilic structural spine of T-Structures. The modular T-Canopies allow seamless integration with minimal impact on the surroundings, fostering multi-layered connectivity and organic growth in all directions.

With a minimum of three units needed for structural triangulation, stability, and self-support, the expressive T-Canopy mimics the grandeur of tropical rainforest trees. A covered corridor beneath the T-Canopy, stretching 60 metres along the shopping street, forms the spine of the community centre. This sheltered street provides a link between shops and the Youth Centre, hosting community festivals, food stalls and shops.

The functional form and structure of the T-Canopy allow for easy integration, offering flexibility in programming while minimising ground-level obstruction. The organic system allows for growth as needed, resembling cells and organisms that can multiply and replicate seamlessly into the existing environment.The metal deck and fibreglass sheet roofing address sunlight control, heat and rain in the tropical climate, ensuring maximum shade and natural ventilation.

Project Details:

Architect : Ar. Dr. Tan Loke Mun / DTLM Design Group Sdn. Bhd.
Photographer : H.Lin Ho
Gross Built Area : 396.3 sqm
Land Size : 17,563 sqm
Project Location : Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Year Completion : 2022

The innovative design and architectural marvel of PJKita Community Centre serves as a basis for the future of community-driven urban living in PJ, introducing an inclusive space for generations to come while fostering unity and creativity within a groundbreaking hub.

About Ar. Dr. Tan Loke Mun

Ar. Dr. Tan Loke Mun is a multi-award winning architect and facilitator in design, planning and architecture. He is also a pioneer of the Modern Tropical movement (ModTrop) emphasising community, culture and innovative designs for a sustainable earth.

Together with his firm, DTLM Design Group Sdn. Bhd., he is involved with an extensive portfolio of projects ranging from private residential projects to commercial ones, such as Verandah House in Bukit Damansara, Setia City Mall in Shah Alam, PJKita in Kelana Jaya, Almas Puteri Harbour in Johor, The Urban Museum (UR-MU), The Wood Box and M Marini in Kuala Lumpur, The Metis Iskandar in Johor, and Tunku Abdul Rahman University College to name a few.

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IG : drtanlokemun
info@dtlm.com.my

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