A RM200 million water theme park in Melaka is in the works, and will be the world’s first ‘sky’ theme park—located 14 floors above ground, between two 30-storey mixed-development towers.
When it opens in 2020, the 500,000-square-foot water park can accommodate up to 5,200 visitors. It will offer both indoor and outdoor sections, with more than 50 attractions, an amphitheatre, a 2-kilometre man-made river and more than 1 kilometre of water slides. The 15 water sides are stacked on top of each other in a vertical space, which was a challenging design and build.
This ‘sky-high’ brief was accomplished via an international team of client representatives and consultants, including water park specialists, despite the confined and limited loading constraints.
The project site is located on the recently reclaimed waterfront of Melaka city, hence, the park carries an oceans theme—with colour choices and ombre-like effects, as well as ground finishes representing sand and boardwalks, to depict the high seas.
LED screens, photo imaging and lighting effects wrap the entire water park in moving light, creating a graphic-immersive ocean ambience. Plants and materials are also selected to survive the salt air and high winds. Cost-effective pebblewash and stamped concrete are used, together with imported higher-end travertine and marble.
PROJECT DATA
Project Name: Splash World Theme Park @ Harbour City
Location: Harbour City, Pulau Melaka, Melaka, Malaysia
Expected Completion: 1Q 2020
Site Area: 6 acres
Theme Park Gross Floor Area: 500,000 square feet
Facilities Area: 46,452 square metres
Theme Park Height: 3 storeys
Developer: Gold Mart Sdn Bhd (member of Hatten Group)
Architecture Firm: CHY Architects Sdn Bhd
Landscape & Theme Park Consultant: WHZ Environmental Design Sdn Bhd
Principal Designers: Jason Zlotkowski; Antony Hastings
Operational Consultant: Samsung C&T Corporation
Theme Park Designer: Polin Waterparks
Interior Design Firms: Add Effexx Sdn Bhd; Hospitality & Leisure Asia Sdn Bhd (HLA); HBA/Hirsch Bedner Associates
Civil & Structural Engineer: SNA Consult Sdn Bhd
Mechanical & Electrical Engineer: Greatians Engineers Sdn Bhd
Main Contractor: China Construction Yangtze River (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
Images: Gold Mart Sdn Bhd; WHZ Environmental Design