Glasshouse At Seputeh

This project was built to serve three functions: as an events venue; a café with 45 seats; and a cake production/central kitchen for Delectable By Su. The design team challenged themselves to put up a building that was cost-effective, well-designed and functional.

The building’s design concept was to present a raw industrial architectural finish with exposed brickwork, and use concrete beams and columns for both the exterior and interior spaces. The building features an indoor garden (The Lawn) under a glass roof. The entire event hall area, including The Lawn, is fully enclosed—like a glasshouse—and air-conditioned.

Bricks and concrete were the main building materials used for the project. They were locally procured and easily available. All retaining walls and concrete structures were built with off-form concrete. By not plastering the brick walls, the team was able to save on plastering and painting, as well as ceiling and finishing works. This was also key in achieving the raw industrial look. The Becosan concrete polishing system was used to achieve a satin finish and durable concrete floor, resulting in savings on cement screeding and tile finishes.

The overall structure was complemented with the use of reclaimed wood. The old timber pieces were recovered from old demolished buildings. Each piece of the timber decking and pathway was a 70-millimetre-thick local hardwood member. Reclaimed 5-millimetre-thick steel sheets recovered from demolished factories were also used for lift cladding and doors. A matt sealer was used to prevent further rusting, but the original rivets and corroded surfaces were left intact. This gave the steel sheets character and complemented the overall industrial theme. The use of glass allows for natural light and an unobstructed view of the surrounding greenery.

Glasshouse at Seputeh has since become a popular events venue in the city, hosting a wide range of events, which include product and media launches; corporate events; weddings; dinners; and awards ceremonies.