Established living within greenery
TO those growing up in Kuala Lumpur in the last 45 years, the suburban enclave of Taman Tun Dr Ismail, or TTDI, is probably a reminder of a one-of-the-first landmark townships with a diversely harmonious community.
Today, it is an established affluent upper-middle class neighbourhood where properties within are still much in demand.
Putting down fresh roots is the The Greens Condominium, which was conceptualised to embody the natural greenery of the surrounding Bukit Kiara Forest Reserve and Taman Rimba Kiara, taking inspiration from their natural shade, thermal comfort and fresh air.
As TTDI is one of the few true neighbourhoods left in the Klang Valley, Chief Executive Officer of Bellworth Developments Kevin Kuok feels responsible to preserve the essential qualities of the surroundings, while revitalising that with a new lease of life.
Completed in 2016 by Bellworth Developments Sdn Bhd (Bellworth), the property arm of the LGB Group, The Greens has just been recognised by the prestigious Fiabci Awards in the Residential (High Rise) category for this year.
Designed by renowned local architects BEP Akitek, it aims to become a benchmark for a new generation of ‘living communities’ – existing organically and seamlessly with neighbourhoods surrounding them.
Kuok mentioned that in The Greens’ designs, mature trees and greenery in the area were kept intact while more were planted to create naturally shaded canopies over the development's walkways.
By doing this, the surrounding foliage was left unharmed, and instead elevated to provide an even greener living experience.
The Greens offers a panoramic 270° view of about 365ha of lush greenery encompassing Bukit Kiara Equestrian Club, TPC Kuala Lumpur, KGPA and the Royal Selangor Club.
Its interior adheres to three key elements drawn from the surrounding Bukit Kiara Forest Reserve – lushness, tranquility and serenity – to offer an immersive living experience elevated by abundant green features, such as inviting cascading water features at the main entrance and a lush green trellis providing natural shade for entry and exit points.
Green planters wrap the building to generate an atmosphere of naturally cool air – countering the production of carbon dioxide while reducing dependence on air-conditioning.
The Greens also flourishes with a verdant vertical garden and is punctuated by green landscaping throughout. There is also a Central Rainforest Grove for residents to enjoy a lush turf lawn and a timber pavilion, lanky trees and refreshing water features.
First of all, it was sensitively designed around how it relates to the environment and its community. It integrates itself into the natural environment by preserving surrounding mature trees and greenery while adding to the natural canopy for a refreshingly organic green experience.
The Greens was intentionally planned to be low-density, with just 163 bedroom units ranging from 1,445sqft (134.2sqm) to 3,823sqft (355.2sqm), targeted at existing TTDI residents who wish to continue to live in the neighbourhood, yet wanting a new, modern residence with security and comfort.
It also appeals to TTDI's multi-generational and multi-cultural mix by providing community living and the convenience of easy connectivity to modern luxuries, lifestyle facilities, and the city centre.
Essentially the condominium has successfully developed a holistically planned environment that reflect qualities essential to TTDI, by combining vitality, dynamism and balance to provide an authentic sustainable living experience.
Developer Bellworth has always considered itself an integral part of every neighbourhood it develops and draws on existing social, cultural and natural influences that make each precinct unique.
“Rather than game-changing, we believe we have a responsibility to retain what makes each locality what it is,” said Kuok.
“It's an organic approach that takes a longterm view, favouring consistent evolution over sudden, oftentimes overly disruptive revolution.”
As one of the many winner of the coveted Fiabci Malaysia Property Awards, Kuok said winning this year's award in residential highrise and the office category award in 2016 for Menara LGB meant the company is doing something right.
Bellworth has built up a formidable track record that encompasses both local and international projects. Property projects and investments under the LGB Group, include PJ Redevelopment, an integrated mixed used development in Section 19, Petaling Jaya (PJ); Utamara and Saujana Green, both boutique residential schemes in PJ and Puchong; a 650-hectare integrated waterfront city in North Butterworth, Penang; Lancer Square, an exclusive commercial and residential development in Kensington, London; and The Hexagon, a bespoke office tower in Akasaka Tokyo, Japan (currently under offer).