General statement: This is the first rehabilitation complex in the world that combined medical and vocational rehabilitation with an allied health institute. Under SOCSO’s ‘Return to Work’ programme, disabled patients undergo physical and vocational rehabilitation in order to rejoin the workforce.
Located on 55 acres of undulating landscape, a ‘primary spine’ for walking, wheelchair and buggy linked the various clusters of buildings sequentially. This green certified complex (under the Malaysian ‘Green Building Index’) was designed where nature via lush expansive landscape and ‘spirituality’ is an important element integral to the healing process. Employing universal ‘access for all’ concept and Malaysian Standard (M.S), this project was intended to represent the best planned rehabilitation facility suited to international standards.
Location: • The site is located on Lot PT 7263, Mukim Durian Tunggal, Daerah Alor Gajah, in the state of Malacca, Malaysia • The site is 55 acres, gently sloping with minimal ground covering
Project Brief: • Arguably the first rehabilitation complex in the world that combined medical and vocational rehabilitation facilities with an allied health institute. • This project is initiated under Social Security Organisation Malaysia (SOCSO) ‘Return To Work’ programme • The brief is to provide ‘insured person’ under SOCSO who has lost their normal capabilities due to accidents or sickness to undergo physical and vocational rehabilitation with the purpose of restoring their physical abilities to continue working faster, healthier and safer. The disabilities range from losing one or more limbs, blind, mute, deaf, wheelchair bound or a combination of disabilities. • The medical rehab will provide rehabilitation facilities after the healing process at normal hospital. The patient will be trained to live a ‘normal’ life • The vocational rehab will provide training facilities for new skills to prepare the patient into the work market • An allied health institute specifically related to rehabilitation will provide the future manpower while using the rehab centre as training facilities.
Planning Concept: • The main tenants are people with disabilities and their caretakers. The whole planning was orchestrated based on ease of movement and compliance to universal ‘access for all’ concept, and Malaysian Standard Code of Practice on Access for Disabled Person to Public Buildings and other relevant guidelines • The creation of a ‘primary spine’ will provide ease of movement either for walking, wheelchair or buggy. Multiple experience created by landscape and resting areas provide ‘pausing stations’ • Buildings are clustered according to principle function; and each cluster is intimately connected via the ‘primary spine’ • There are five main clusters : i. Administration Block & staff canteen; ii. Medical & Vocational Rehab Blocks, Hostel and Canteen Blocks; iii. Allied Health Institute Block; iv. Surau (Muslim prayer hall) & main car park iv. Services blocks • The administration block creates the starting point in the journey for healing. It is designed as an impressive building to emphasize its formal function. • The main rehab blocks, canteen & hostel are set radially with the surau being the axis; signifying spiritual healing. • The medical block is designed based on the ‘healing hand’ where main facilities & wards forming the palm; while the five fingers housed the therapy blocks. Shaded garden formed a sanctuary for the patient to rest post therapy. • Soft and hard landscaping is a very strong element that holds the whole development together. It is intended that the greenery and ‘ spiritual therapy’ as part of the healing process
Architecture Concept: • The buildings are placed sensitively on existing topography; maintaining & enhancing wherever possible • Each buildings are given different outlook / identity for easy recognition and orientation • Great emphasize on ‘green design’ such as orientation, maximise natural lighting and ventilation, creation of ‘wind corridor’, low e-glass, fixed and movable shading panels • A conscious move from hospital outlook into a more corporate / resort environment; again to expedite the healing process
General Information: • It is rated certified under Malaysian Green Building Index • The concept of physical and vocational rehab; and allied health institute under one roof arguably the first in the world • Strong building concept based on ‘movement / mobility’ between activities • Strong emphasize on ‘nature’ and ‘spiritual’ as part of healing process • Construction commencement : 08th September 2011 • Project completion : 26th January 2014 • Construction cost : RM 248 million (USD 77milion)
