Parasol of Johor

RTS Link Station Façade Design Ideas Competition

Third Prize

Being another milestone in the proud history of Johor, the Rapid Transit System (RTS) is a planned cross-border high-capacity public transport that would connect Johor Bahru Bukit Chagar Station at Malaysia and Woodlands North Station at Singapore across the Straits of Johor. According to MRT Corp, the proposed building will be built on top of an existing KTM track which is adjacent to a planned new Immigration, Customs and Quarantine (ICQ) facility with a multi-storey Transportation Hub as part of the new complex.

It is believed that the identity of the Johor state plays an important role in strengthening the station being part of Southern Integrated Gateway and the well-known identity for Johor, in this case, is none other than the Head of State and the royal family. Stated in the Constitution of Malaysia, the state Ruler (Sultan) enjoys all rights, privileges, prerogatives and powers. The Sultan, also being the head of the religion of Islam in his State, hence shall become the main identity which need to be included as part of the elements in the spatial and façade design of the station. Not to forget also the rakyat-oriented and friendly royal family which has become one of the Johor identities in the heart of Bangsa Johor. The array of parasols also resembles a robust protection that embraces the rakyat of Johor.

The Symbolic of Royal Regalia

In order to represent the Sultan and the royal family in the design, royal regalia are hence chosen. Among them, to say that the royal umbrellas (parasols) are the most unique among all would be an understatement as they are white in colour, bringing the meaning of sovereignty rather than the ordinary royal yellow found at other states. Designed by Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar, the royal umbrellas are defined as traditional symbol of protection to the Sultan. The element is presented at the platform level and further extruded as part of the façade and roof, providing shades and rain water harvesting feature to the station.

Another chosen regalia are the crown and diadem. These regalia are represented with restaurant and observation terrace above the platform level. Both spaces are designed with different volume and height, as if the Ruler and the Royal Consort overseeing their “Bangsa Johor”. Also, the 360° view of the deck allows the users to enjoy spatial experience and the skyline of Singapore, not to mention also serving as a landmark at Bukit Chagar.

Forest Canopy

The spatial experience at the train platform has differed boldly from the ordinary design typology to priorities a column-less vast space. On the contrary, proposed train platform has allowed the invasion of a series of parasol-like pillars, while maintaining a high ceiling space of 10m. The skylight glass roof is also supported by the lattice structure which allows daylight permeability. The conglomerate of each different components such as pillars and diffused skylight has created a forest canopy effect which reminds the occupants of our renowned tropical rainforest.

As this RTS train station will be a transportation hub to about 200,000 commuters daily, the building is expected to be operational and ‘sleepless’ most of the time. Hence, the maintenance and sustainability of the building are one of the major concerns. The envelope of the building is designed to be porous and permeable by daylight and natural ventilation in order to avoid greenhouse effect and thermal discomfort. In addition, other sustainable considerations incorporated are rainwater harvesting, photovoltaic roof, sun shading elements and automated waste management.