KLPAC

The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre or Pentas Seni Kuala Lumpur in Sentul West is one of the most established centres for the performing arts in Malaysia. It is a non-profit company whose aim is to "cultivate and sustain the performing arts for the betterment and enrichment of communities within the Klang Valley and for the Nation."

Located in Sentul West Kuala Lumpur, KLPac was founded by Joe Hasham and Dato' Faridah Merican, below Dataran Merdeka. Each year, KLPac and the Actors Studio plays host to more than a hundred major events, as well as many other workshops, classes, film screenings and more. Many of KLPac's events are self-directed, self organized shows, as KLPac also rents out their facilities, equipment other for individual performing arts events.

A feeling of openness and warmth greeted me as I entered the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac). On my left was an open workshop where visitors could see a stage set being put together in front of their very eyes through a clear glass window. And on my right was the friendly cafe with bright orange tables and chairs with a media centre located behind it. The design layout planning successfully prolong the experience and feeling for visitor to sense the nature inside the building. The architect bring the green elements inside the center and try to blend together to enrich the sense of the architecture by sight, smeel and feel.

Located in Sentul Park at Sentul West, among the lush green trees and with a stream flowing beside it, the 70,000 sq. ft. KLPac stands out with a grandeur of old charm and modern style.

Designers have maintained some of the rustic features of the former KTM railway workshop and blended it with new-aged designs. This intention made the visitors learn and know the background history of the site by feeling the contrast between the new elements and old elements.After all, the main concept of the KLPac is that it is a centre for the people, so it has to be inviting and user-friendly. Timeworn railway sleepers reused as part of the landscaping to harmonize the old and new. Drop-off area, simple & unassuming with The Box Office located outside from the main entrance to avoid long queues and congestion from the lobby area.

A green façade of climbing plants growing around stainless steel support that provide environmental aesthetics and a functional purpose as a natural sunscreen.

Open and airy spaces allowing for flexibility of usage. • Production and admin office fully exposed from the main lobby – making it easy to interact with the public audience & provide a holistic customer experience. The whole design of the Performing Art Center is basically to create more interaction for the visitors and also the artists. The center should be the media to bring everyone together to enjoy the art, and not to devide them.

Studios are transparent to the outside – designed intentionally to increase awareness and create curiosity of the study & training of the performing arts.