1Please give us a brief bio of yourself, your background, and your job profile.
Established in 2005, Archiplan is a distinguished interior architectural design firm located in Penang. Archiplan Interior Design offers full-fledged interior architecture design consultancy and solutions to both commercial institutions and individual homeowners. Upholding our philosophy of Function, Form, and Finishing, we constantly push the envelope, striving to bring great design ideas and architectural concepts to life.
2What is your role in the company?
We provide comprehensive interior architecture design consultancy and solutions, along with design and build services for both commercial and residential spaces.
3Please tell us more about your company / organization.
With nearly two decades of expertise, our firm offers comprehensive services from consultancy to execution, ensuring end-to-end solutions. Our client-centric approach tailors design to meet the unique needs and preferences of each client. We are committed to high standards and innovative design solutions, consistently delivering quality and creativity in every project.
4Congratulations! As the winner of the 2024 TITAN Property Awards, what does it mean for you, your team, and your organization, to receive this distinction?
Thank you! We are thankful that our effort is being recognized.
5Could you briefly explain about the winning project / title you entered into the 2024 TITAN Property Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
Hard Rock Hotel Penang, situated in a beach suburb within a city renowned for its Peranakan culture, is infused with the Hard Rock spirit amidst its natural surroundings. It seamlessly blends modernity with heritage and a relaxed beachy atmosphere with the vibrant energy of the bustling city. Unlike most city hotels, the lobby is naturally ventilated, fostering an open and airy ambiance. Adjacent to the lobby, the pool is separated by a clear glass railing, effortlessly blending the indoor and outdoor environments.
Designing upon the hotel's own unique characteristics, the concept of 'Complementary' serves as the foundation for the lobby design. Boldly incorporating elements that draw from both modern and heritage, beach and city aesthetics, which may seem contrasting at first glance but are developed to complement each other in terms of color matching, material selection, form, and style. When combined, these elements create a harmonized visual that seamlessly connects the indoors with the outdoors.
6What were the biggest challenges you faced with this project?
The original building structure had to be preserved hence creativity is very much limited by existing columns, beam height, and service pipe locations. Space planning focused on improving traffic flow efficiency by concealing columns inside functional space. Ceiling height is constrained too because relocating major service pipes was impossible due to ongoing hotel operations. Inaccurate original plans meant hidden structures and service pipes were only discovered during demolition.
7How has winning this award developed your practice / career?
Winning the 2024 TITAN Property Awards has provided us with a development that helped us gain publicity locally and internationally.
8For Property Developer, Architect and Designer, what makes a “good” property design?
At Archiplan, we believe that interior design goes beyond aesthetics. It is about creating spaces that enhance and shape the life experiences of the people who inhabit them. Our designs aim to blend functionality with beauty, ensuring that each space we create not only looks good but also improves the quality of life for its users.
9Describe your property design style and its main characteristics.
Embracing the concept of Complementary, the design merges seemingly contrasting styles and elements, ingeniously crafted to enhance each other. Materials like tropical rainwood and mirrored surfaces, along with a blend of rock and nature-inspired vibes, and a juxtaposition of vibrant loose furniture against earth-toned built-ins, epitomize the essence of Penang Peranakan culture. The mirrored ceiling, stretching from the main entrance to the pool entrance evokes a sense of anticipation, while the floor design strategically delineates functional areas, subtly defining boundaries between spaces.