Harley-Davidson Retreat Centre

Inspired by the motor company’s engines, the V-shaped building aims to reflect the corporate identity. It serves as a retreat centre for the employees, while providing public spaces with a café, gallery and promotion area for the nearby communities.

CULTIVATING WELL-BEING AND CORPORATE IDENTITY
The first floor is the staff zone, comprising an open sky theatre; a lounge area; a kitchen; an infinity pool; and production area. The second and third floors assigned as the dormitory with studio units and double rooms. A standout design feature of the project is the two sky dining towers located at the rear of the building—the circular dining rooms can be elevated to 15 metres above the ground, enabling clearer views to the nearby Malacca River and of the sunset.

The sky dining tower structure

It is important to integrate the company’s elements in the design without compromising the functions and aesthetics of the retreat centre. This translates to having the V-shaped architectural form; motorcycle-inspired artwork in the interiors; as well as interactive exhibits and displays showcasing the corporate history and culture to the public. Additionally, the outdoor spaces could incorporate recreational activities that align with Harley-Davidson’s spirit, such as motorcycle trails, adventure courses and themed entertainment areas.

The retreat centre is also open to club members for bike gatherings

SMART TECH FOR EFFICIENT BUILDING MANAGEMENT
The project proposes to adopt innovative technologies to enhance user experience and energy efficiency. For instance, its smart building systems include automated lighting with motion sensors; climate control systems with occupancy detection; and smart thermostats to adjust temperature settings. All these could be controlled through a central building management system to optimise the centre’s operational efficiency and performance.

PROJECT DATA
Project Name
Harley-Davidson Retreat Centre
Location
Malacca, Malaysia
Project Year
2023
Site Area
4,047 square metres
Gross Floor Area
2,750 square metres
Building Height
4 storeys; 15 metres
Client
Harley-Davidson
Student
Rafiuddin Bin Rozi
School
University of Putra Malaysia
Programme
Bachelor Science of Architecture
Supervisor
Pn. Ida Suriana Ismail
Images
Rafiuddin Bin Rozi

This is an excerpt. The original article is published in
Construction+ Q1 2024 Issue: Construction Technologies Now.
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