HGST CrossFit Gym is a testament of the company's commitment to the well-being and livelihood of its employees

HGST is a successful enterprise primarily focused on the development of hard drives, with a strong reputation for quality, reliability, and innovation that has been built over the past 19 years. This reputation has earned the company a prominent global standing. However, HGST's commitment goes beyond just production; the company is equally dedicated to the well-being and livelihood of its employees. A testament to this commitment is the introduction of a gym, strategically located next to the headquarters’ drop-off area. This initiative not only encourages a healthy lifestyle among employees but also promotes a balanced working environment, reflecting the company's values.

The gym's new location in the garden area offers improved visibility, better integration with the natural landscape, and enhanced functionality

Conceptual sketch depicting the proposed layout of the building

Initially, the proposed location for the gym was found to be unsuitable. It failed to engage meaningfully with the surrounding environment, lacked visibility, and was not particularly user-friendly. Recognising the opportunity for improvement, the idea of relocating the gym to the garden area emerged as a more fitting solution. This new location would allow the gym to seamlessly integrate with the natural landscape, enhancing both its functionality and its aesthetic appeal. In doing so, the gym would contribute to a revitalised atmosphere around the headquarters, offering a refreshing environment that could also serve as a symbolic rebranding of the company’s existing facilities.

Design iterations for transforming the gym into a butterfly-inspired structure

Central to the vision for this redesign is the goal of improving the accessibility of the building while creating an iconic architectural feature that resonates with the surrounding environment. Drawing inspiration from the symmetrical form of butterfly wings, the design aims to foster multiple connections between the building’s internal circulation and its external surroundings. This approach not only enhances the building's functionality but also increases the available floor space, allowing for a wider range of facilities that will benefit the employees.

The use of multiple wall layering fosters a connection between internal and external surroundings while maintaining privacy

HGST CrossFit Gym is a memorable landmark that takes on the delicate characteristics of a butterfly, integrating with its surrounding environment

Taking on the delicate characteristics of a butterfly, the building gently sits within the garden’s green landscape. This seamless integration with nature creates an iconic structure that not only stands out visually but also reinforces HGST's image as a forward-thinking, environmentally conscious company. The result is a memorable landmark that reflects the company's commitment to both innovation and the well-being of its employees.

Text by the architect

 

PROJECT GALLERY

 
  • Architect : MNSC Architects
    Client : HGST Malaysia Sdn Bhd
    Area : 250 m²
    Project Location : Kuching | Sarawak
    Year : 2015

  • C&S Engineer : Eswell Engineer Sdn Bhd
    M&E Engineer : Perunding ElecMec Sdn Bhd
    Contractor : Pembinaan Leyan Sdn Bhd
    Design Team : Lau Ming Ngi | Thang Suh Chee | Kong Yean Wei
    Photography : Lau Ming Ngi | Leslie Teo

  • Floor | Floor Finishes
    • Tile : Floor tiles for changing room by Kimgress
    • Others : Rubber tiles for workout area
    Wall | Wall Finishes
    • Brick : Red Brick Bond (RHB) brick by Radha Krishna Bricks
    • Wall Covering : Tiles by Kimgress | Ventilation block by Thon Tat Yuan Enterprise Co.
    Roofing System : United G.I. Products (UGI) | EcoSteel
    Aluminium and Glazing : Powder-coated aluminium frame with clear glass by Seng Lee Glass
    Paint Systems : Nippon Paint Weatherbond for external wall | Nippon Paint Easywash Paint for internal wall
    Waterproofing | Coating Systems : Sika Kimia
    Ceiling | Ceiling Systems : Gypsum board ceiling
    Door | Hardware : Hardware door frame and hollow core door panel for changing room | M.S. frame tempered glass door for main entrance
    Sanitary Fittings | Systems : TOTO | Madaya (Kuching)

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