Building & Investment (Jan - Feb 2016) (Jan - Feb 2016) | Page 11

Project Highlight
to be rated under the “Green Building Index”
certification.
Key green features include: integrated
photovoltaic panel which will generate
electricity daily; advanced building envelope
to minimise heat gain including low-emissive
glass and insulated roofs; variable speed
drive chilled with VAV system for the air
conditioning system; rainwater harvesting
and water recycling system, among others.
In terms of design concept, the designers
looked to the mighty Rejang river for
inspiration. The large water body in front
of the campus not only creates a sense of
arrival by boat but also reminds visitors of
how Sibu was created. Sibu is also known as
a “timber town” and this is reflected in the
“forest canopy” rooftop over the areas where
students gather for social activities.
The overall master plan adopts the shape
of fern leaf ’s frond whose organic shape offers
an excellent spatial planning idea. The central
spine branches off to secondary corridors that
connect to the various faculties leading to the
individual classrooms much like the structure
of the fern leaf.
The UCTS campus is divided into six
zones namely: public space; semi-public
space; academic zones; recreational areas;
private residential space; and the research &
development areas.
The public zone includes the Convocation
Hall and Surau which are located at the main
entrance. The Convocation Hall is located on
the north-west end of the campus, fronting
the feature lake with good landscaping view.
Adequate parking spaces are provided to
cater for higher vehicle volumes during peak
season. The semi-public zone will be the
‘forest canopies’ for social interactions.
The academic zone will be the faculties
comprising the school of built environment,
school of civil engineering, school of electrical

Ground floor of the library.

Rainforest canopy to eliminate glare from direct sun penetration and diffuse radiation from the sun.

Panoramic view of UCTS campus.
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