UNIFOR Complex
UNIFOR Complex is built on a 3.19-acre site, strategically located 5 km away from Kuching city centre. Surrounded by institutional facilities and residential areas, this award-winning development comprises an eight-storey office block on top of a two-storey commercial and convention facilities podium, with surface car parking bays at the eastern and western ends.
The building is wholly owned and managed by the Unit for Other Religions Charitable Trust. Other than being used to house their offices, the remaining office spaces, commercial and event spaces will be rented out to generate revenue for the Charitable Trust. The land for the complex, located along Jalan Ong Tiang Swee, was granted by the Sarawak Government to support the organisation’s long-term operational and financial sustainability.
Humble and Noble — A Simple yet Iconic Design
Like a beautifully wrapped present, this innovative architectural design symbolises a divine gift of unity among religious communities. Its bold building form attracts attention from the outside, while its internal spaces promote a sense of unity within. The contrast in building heights gives the UNIFOR office block a tall order, expressing its significance. As a whole, the development portrays a unique built form, expressed through its continuous ONE WRAP cladding (aluminium composite panel) embracing the architectural envelope, together with a distinctive architectural sunscreen—resulting in a simple yet elegant structure that showcases a new, timeless, contemporary icon. The architectural sunscreen is designed with repetitive star motifs—a representation of the universe, signifying divine power and hope.
The Concourse
At the foreground is a multi-functional landscaped open concourse designed as a public civic space for outdoor events such as religious parades, festivals and youth programmes. It can also be rented out for car shows, weekend flea markets, etc. On non-event days, it is used for car parking. This Concourse is seamlessly connected to the Ground Floor Commercial units and Alfresco area, enhancing business activities, particularly F&B outlets.
The Roof Garden
The form-shaping 7 m-high volumetric semi-enclosed space, designed as a thermal buffer between the top office floor and the roof, has evolved into a very pleasant and serene roof garden. It is intended to be rentable for small events.
Lined with lush vegetation and waterscape, this honest space can easily be adapted to any small informal event as it is. Through-openings facing the north and south ends offer true cross-ventilation, while the side openings below the skylights bleed hot air out via natural stack ventilation. The water features at both ends provide evaporative cooling to the ambient air.
Passive Features
Situated on an almost perfect site for ideal building orientation, the main elongated façades are orientated towards the north and south, while the narrow side façades face east and west, with very minimal openings. The overall building envelope is protected from the harsh sun by continuous light-coloured aluminium composite panel cladding with extended overhangs. All major openings are fitted with high-performance glazing and shaded by the architectural sunscreen. The main podium roof is insulated in compliance with MS1525:2014. The Overall Thermal Transfer Value (OTTV) is estimated at 40 W/m², compared to the maximum 50 W/m² allowed under MS1525.
Natural Lighting and Indoor Quality
Office floors benefit from natural daylight through large openings on both the north and south façades. Glazed areas are shaded to reduce glare and solar heat gain, helping maintain comfortable indoor conditions.
Low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paints and coatings are used throughout to improve air quality for occupants. Fresh outdoor air is introduced into air-conditioned zones to allow proper air exchange. Many of the back-of-house areas, including washrooms, are naturally ventilated. This reduces reliance on mechanical systems and contributes to overall energy efficiency.
Architecturally Green
The design of the UNIFOR Complex focuses on a balanced combination of passive design principles, design efficiency, and space sufficiency, resulting in a building with strong energy performance and excellent indoor environmental quality. This building has achieved a Provisional Green Building Index (GBI) ‘Certified’ rating.
Established in 2017 under the Chief Minister’s Department, the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) was formed to address the needs and welfare of non-Islamic religious communities in Sarawak, who make up nearly 70% of the state’s population. In 2018, the UNIFOR Charitable Trust was set up to manage funds, assets, and activities related to this mission. Its work contributes to fostering peaceful and harmonious co-existence among Sarawak’s diverse religious communities.
Text by the architect
PROJECT GALLERY
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Architect : David Ong Architect
Client : Sarawak Unit for Other Religions Charitable Trust
Area : 16,360 m²
Project Location : Kuching | Sarawak
Year : 2024 -
C&S Engineer : Kejuruteraan C.M.E.
M&E Engineer : Sies Engineers Sdn Bhd
Quantity Surveyor : Perunding Ukur Bahan P.S.
Contractor : Hong Seng Construction (E.M.) Sdn Bhd
Landscape Architect : Urbanscape Consultants Sdn Bhd
Design Team : Ar. David Ong Yaw Hian | Ar. Gary Shahrull
Photography : Lin Ho | Lee Syan Yoo -
Floor | Floor Finishes
• Tile : Niro Granite | Kimgress
Wall Finishes
• Brick : Cement-rendered brick
• Drywall : Plaster board
Roofing Systems : Metal roofing | RC roof
Aluminium and Glazing : Low-E glazing by Ajiya Safety Glass Sdn Bhd
Façade Systems : Aluminum composite panel | Architectural screen
Paint Systems : Low VOC interior paint | External weather shield
Ceiling | Ceiling Systems : Plaster ceiling | Aluminum strip ceiling
Sanitary Fittings | Systems : Water-efficient fitting
Lighting Design | Fittings : LED -
Trees
• Tristania obovata (Pelawan Red)
• Shorea leprosula (Meranti Tembaga)
• Ficus lyrata (Fiddle Fig Leaf)
• Garcinia subelliptica (Happiness Tree)
• Radermachara sinica (Lipau)
Shrubs | Groudcovers | Climbers
• Alpinia galanga (Lengkuas)
• Anethum graveolens (Dill)
• Cucuma domestica (Kunyit)
• Cymbopogon citratus (Lemon Grass)
• Eryngium foetidum L. (Ketumbar)
• Pandanus amaryllifolius (Pandan Leaf)
• Epipremnum aureum (Money Plants)
Turfing
• Zoysia sp. (Phillipine Blue)
Lighting Design | Fittings : Pole Light / Floodlight / Wall Light / Uplighter / In-ground Lighting / DownLight / Underwater light by JustLight
Landscape Pavers : Unilamp | Osram
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