Menara Etiqa

The Menara Etiqa building in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, showcases a significant integration of green infrastructure within a modern urban development. This 38-story office tower, developed by Etiqa Life Insurance Berhad, serves as a contemporary and sustainable workspace in the affluent Bangsar residential suburb. The building's design emphasizes green building principles, aiming for dual green building accreditations: a Green Building Index (GBI) Gold rating and a GreenRE Platinum rating. The project incorporates various green features, notably a striking living wall that covers approximately 1,000 square meters. Located on a 1.15-acre site adjacent to Dataran Maybank and the Bangsar LRT Station, the Menara Etiqa project utilized an unconventional top-down construction methodology due to its tight positioning between existing commercial towers and a live light rail train line. Veritas Architects, as part of VERITAS Integrated Professional Services (VIPs), adopted environmentally responsible design practices, including the use of cost-effective green materials to address concerns about additional expenses typically associated with green features. The VIPs approach integrates architecture, landscape design, and environmental consulting services to achieve a comprehensive and sustainable design. The building's sustainability strategy includes energy-efficient mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems and fixtures, renewable construction materials, and sustainable site development. A key element of its design is a simple daylight harvesting strategy that optimizes existing building solutions without increasing development costs. This strategy addresses glare from direct sunlight and the bright tropical sky, contributing to the building's energy efficiency and occupant comfort. The most visually prominent green feature is the living wall, which wraps around one corner of the parking podium. This green facade is designed to promote biophilia and serves as a distinct visual identity for the building. To accommodate the building's unique angles and create a seamless aesthetic, proprietary VersiWall® GP (VGP) 2060 Trays Mounting Panels were installed at an angle on the corners. Aluminum panels, measuring 3m by 1.3m, were used to form the vertical green wall mounting base, allowing for easy maintenance of each tray from behind via access from the multi-storey car park. A total of 1,200 VGP Trays were used for the 1,000 m² green wall, featuring 34 species of plants selected for their suitability and longevity in external green wall environments. The irrigation system for the plants is highly efficient, with piping feeding into each individual tray. Irrigation pipes are sectioned into zones to maximize efficiency and facilitate maintenance, delivering both water and fertilizer directly to the plants. Each VGP tray includes a baffle plate and reservoir to distribute and store excess water, ensuring consistent plant health in the tropical climate. Additionally, anti-lift arms and multi-point mounting features significantly reduce the risk of dislodgement, even during high wind speeds of up to 108 km/h, highlighting the durability and thoughtful engineering of the system. The water reservoirs in each VGP Tray allow for water re-use through capillary action, further enhancing the eco-friendliness and sustainability of the building. The diamond-shaped design and crystal grey curtain wall of Menara Etiqa, combined with its green-rated features, establish it as a symbolic landmark in Kuala Lumpur, emphasizing visual continuity and providing shade and screening for the parking podium through shimmering PVDF coated aerofoil louvers. #GreenArchitecture #LivingWall #SustainableDesign #UrbanGreening #KualaLumpur #GreenBuildingIndex #GreenRE #CommercialProperty #VERITASArchitects #GreenArchitecture #LivingWall #SustainableDesign #UrbanGreening #KualaLumpur #GreenBuildingIndex #GreenRE #CommercialProperty #VERITASArchitects