eleena jamil architect situates bamboo playhouse in kuala lumpur

kuala lumpur-based studio eleena jamil architect was approached by the local city hall to design a public pavilion out of bamboo in the capital city’s oldest and most picturesque park — the perdana botanical gardens. the park is located right in the heart of the city and is very popular within locals and tourists. the site itself is situated on a small island in a large lake that stretches through the center of the park.

the pavilion consists of multiple level square decks
image © marc tey (also main image)

positioned along the edge of the lake, the playhouse is an open structure with raised square platforms set at multiple levels. the playhouse references the stems from traditional vernacular structures called the ‘wakaf’ which are originally found in villages or ‘kampungs’. these structures are essentially freestanding shelters that can be used freely by anyone in the community as a place to rest. here, the playhouse can be described as a series of ‘wakafs’ grouped together to form an animated and playful bamboo structure that blends harmoniously with the beautiful greenery of the botanical garden. it offers a series of indeterminate spaces, that allow for various opportunities of use and occupation.

decks close to the lake are cantilevered above the water
image © marc tey

the pavilion is a repetitive modular structure made entirely out of bamboo. the use of this natural resource in contemporary buildings is very rare in malaysia, and this building explores its potential as a sustainable building material. the pavilion consists of thirty-one identical square decks set at various, seemingly random heights, creating a playful three-dimensional floorscape. from the centre of each deck, a tree-like column rises up to support the roof. ‘tree-houses’, in the form of bamboo baskets hung off the columns add another dimension to the experience of the playhouse.

the pavilion can be used in many different ways 
image © marc tey

the structure sits along the edge of a lake in perdana botanical gardens
image © marc tey

the pavilion was designed to look like it is floating above ground 
image © marc tey

side view of the pavilion
image © marc tey

bamboo baskets are hung from columns like treehouses 
image © marc tey

view of a treehouse basket
image © marc tey

night view
image © m suhaimi ismail

site plan

working model

project info:

location: perdana botanical gardens, kuala lumpur, malaysia
architect: eleena jamil architect
project team: eleena jamil, yusri amri yussoff, shahril m ramli
photographer: marc tey photography (night view by m suhaimi ismail)
purpose: public pavilion
floor area: 320 sqm

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edited by: juliana neira | designboom