Publika @ Solaris Dutamas

Publika, the new commercial destination within the new urban hub in Solaris Dutamas Development, the multi-level solution in segregating pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Whilst there's a shopping mall-like component which is the major piece of the whole development, it is flanked by shop-fronts to the adjacent streets, offering more interactive streets, on- street parking, and seamless pedestrian connectivity.

At certain strategic corners, lift lobbies have been carved into the massing for access to the towers above.

All these are built over a terrace configuration of parking, in respecting the terrain. Where there's opportunity, horizontal access to the parking has been established at certain points to get into the retail areas. One really needs to know exactly where to park to be able to get to the nearest points of destination within the commercial area, otherwise, can easily be confused by the layout. Permeability seems to work well in connecting the parking areas to the retail but way-finding in this place still needs a bit of work.

 Public art seems to be the concept of this place, but honestly, I think it needs a bit of effort in curating and creating a more identifiable theme. 

 It does house one of my favourite restaurant!

 Text inlay with messages gives the square a nice touch

 This open area seems to be quite an attractor here with some drinks and food readily to be purchased along it and enjoyed in front of a live band....

 The mall of Publika

 This whole street like environment is over a slab with parking below it. Shown here are +2 or +3 level above the entrance street level, connected via ramps a the end of the block.

One of the highlights for me is the BIG supermarket. Great stock of food, good chain of supplies and a fantastic place to find organic food and speciality foods.  

Overall, I can't wait to see how this place develops. I've always been in a favour of complex horizontal development such as this where a complex can be divided into blocks and in the same time, allowing more natural light, outdoor interaction and connectivity.

For more info and pictures, check out the following websites

-http://www.publika.com.my/publika/home/intro.php

and on Solaris Dutamas

- http://www.propwall.my/dutamas/solaris_dutamas

Dubai Marina

Perhaps one of the highest floor area ratio or plot ratio development in the world, here are some pictures of Dubai Marina, almost fully developed with mixed use program and quite community centric. Served by a highway nearby, the Dubai Marina has a rather pedestrian friendly environment, especially for car-oriented town such as Dubai. 

Sri Hartamas - Our hood...

July 2011- It's nice going back and see some of the places we like and how it has developed along the years. Plaza Hartamas and Mont Kiara has certainly increased in population and traffic count, but the charm is still there. Here are some pics of our day around the area.

Typical Streetscape environment

View from our apartment towards the streetscape and commercial lots above plaza hartamas. These strata commercial lots 'gives back' the street level and pedestrain realm of a traditional shophouse environment to the site. Below is a shopping mall, MSCP and M&E services. Though within itself, the public realm seems to be well connected but with the rest of the context is somewhat disconnected. However, there is an attempt here to link to the opposite development via a pedestrian bridge.

Another neighbourhood nearby.

in between blocks, tenants take advantage to capitalize on the potential of the public realm

double height 5 ft walkway creates better volume and brighter interiors.

A scale model of the development across the street in the sales office nearby. The owners shall be getting their keys soon and we'll see it being populated very fast.

Level 3 entrance to the hartamas shopping centre from the 'roof' streetscape.

Pedestrian bridge which connects the 2 development

more streetscape, and in the background, our neighbouring tower block

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