Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB)
Designed by Jurubina Unireka, the 9-storey Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) Headquarters is an office building on a 4.4-acre parcel of the Isthmus Master Plan. The original design brief called for a Low-Energy Building with a targeted power consumption of 120 Kwh/m² annually to support 1500 persons in a work environment. In July 2010, the brief was upgraded, requiring the team to achieve a Certified Green Building Index (GBI) rating.
The ellipsoidal plan and building form are derived using a multifaceted ‘gemstone’ as a metaphor for this iconic office tower; the curvilinear façade capturing dynamic views as the external envelope responds to the sun path. The building design aspires to pioneer a new generation of energy efficient office buildings in Sarawak, which it does by adopting the latest glass technologies, sustainable design strategies and engineering innovations.
Floor plan of the 1st floor that shows the main entrance and garden atrium
A high-volume central atrium which binds the office wings together serves as the natural energy conduit. This configuration comprises two glazed office wings (North and South) surrounding the atrium and are spanned between two "solid" cladded volumes on the East and West wings. A playful combination of ascending screens and roof scape provides a dramatic termination to the office building.
The completed building showcases sustainable technologies that reduce the building energy consumption, potable water usage, uses sustainable building materials which provides a healthy and comfortable work environment. The GBI rating was achieved using a holistic approach encompassing the building envelope, orientation, atrium design, mechanical and electrical systems, passive design systems, material selections and landscaping.
Some of the distinct sustainable design features include a central atrium capped with a roof and skylight, which promotes convectional airflow and day-lighting. The use of double glazed low-emissivity glass in the external façade, added by horizontal ledge lines and light shelves promotes natural lighting in the workspace while reducing glare. Other features include the waterscape that cools the atrium, photovoltaic cells on the roofs, rainwater harvesting for irrigation, recycling air-cond condensate water and the reuse of sprinkler test water.
The building comprises a range of corporate office-related functions distributed across its floors:
Sub-basement — car parking and M&E spaces
Level 1 — entrance lobby, garden atrium, surau, cafeteria, exhibition room, electrical museum, printing shop, and clinic
Level 2 — offices, a library, meeting rooms and conference hall
Level 2 Mezzanine — library, gym, auditorium and store
Levels 3 to 8 — general office spaces
Level 9 — executive functions, boardroom, executive dining and lounge, pre-function room and roof garden
The Sarawak Energy Berhad Headquarters successfully meets its goal of being a sustainable, energy-efficient office building while providing a healthy and functional environment for its users. With its thoughtful design, modern technologies, and focus on environmental performance, the building achieves the Certified Green Building Index (GBI) rating and has achieved GBI Silver (final certification, CVA) to sets a strong example for future developments in Sarawak and beyond.
Text by the architect
PROJECT GALLERY
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Architect : Jurubina Unireka
Client : Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB)
Area : 40,000 m²
Project Location : Kuching | Sarawak
Year : 2012 -
M&E Engineer : Perunding Teknikal Sdn Bhd | Norman Disney & Young (NDY) Sdn Bhd
C&S Engineer : Jurutera Minsar Consult
Contractor : Putra Perdana Construction Sdn Bhd
Quantity Surveyor : PEB Consulting QS Sdn Bhd
Landscape Architect : Malik Lip & Associates
Energy Consultant : IEN Consultants
GBI Facilitator : Unireka
GBI Commissioning Specialist : Pureaire Sdn Bhd
Photography : Representatives of Sarawak Energy Berhad | Sean Wee | Ricco Soh -
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