d+a | Issue 116 • Jun/July 2020

/ COMMERCIAL / 28 similarly elevated off the ground, and above them steel structure set to the same height. Steel is also maintained in the glass façade framing, a series of concatenated square modules. Altogether, this assemblage of elements establishes a visual coherence between old and new, not just in construction but also in proportion and language. A COLLECTIVE BELONGING Plywood panels line the ceiling of the extension’s spaces and walkways, similarly staggered like the façades. Says Zeidler, “Over the years, we actually did other buildings with plywood, and we became more confident with using it, since it’s not that simple to apply. “In the old building, we used bamboo for the ceiling. In the end, both bamboo and plywood are very similar because they’re a local, non-imported, vernacular material, that is warm and has a natural look.” The use of other materials such as cement board, coloured cement, different finishes of concrete and tile inlays adds to a diaspora of surfaces that not only enhance that sense of warmth, but also communicates ABOVE. Through concatenated black frames of clear glazing, the naturally-ventilated cafeteria extension offers visitors an uninterrupted view of the hills, an experience enhanced by dynamic ceiling planes and floor finishes of coloured cement and Peranakan-style tiles.