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Life has never been the same since the Covid-19 pandemic. For one, it has taught us to value the blessings we so often take for granted — our home, family, friends, nature and even the air that we breathe; in short, the simple things in life.
Which of us, after being confined to our homes for months on end during the Movement Control Order (MCO) periods, have not gained a newfound appreciation for a home that is not necessarily bedecked to impress, but fuss-free and practical? We need living spaces that are flexible enough to accommodate live, work, learn and play all under one roof. And of course, it would be ideal if all that we need, from food to medical facilities, and parks to schools are just a hop and a skip away.
Forced to halt running on the fast track, the MCO also literally made us stop and smell the flowers. We saw a surge in demand for indoor plants, while gardening took to new levels as people began bringing nature into their homes, taking solace in the nurturing qualities of plants.
Expressing precisely these sentiments, the Scandinavian architecture and interior design have gained traction. Defined by simplicity, functionality, sustainability and mixed with a generous dose of nature, the Scandinavians’ constant pursuit of well-being even has a name. Called hygge (a term describing a warm and comfortable feeling), the aim is to discard the non-essentials to focus on things that really matter such as spending time with family, nature or even oneself.
Well, they must be doing something right, as the Scandinavians are often ranked the happiest people in the world while Nordic cities are regularly voted among the most liveable. According to the World Happiness Report 2022, Finland is the happiest country in the world for the fifth year consecutively, followed by Denmark and Iceland respectively. In fact, five Nordic countries were in the top 10, which is not unusual.
The world could probably take a leaf out of their books and live the simple life because all of us want to be happy, don’t we?
“We believe that the Scandinavian lifestyle and design are picking up in Malaysia, especially among the younger generation. Consumers, including the millennials, are adopting the ideology of a simpler, more functional, practical, inclusive and sustainable lifestyle. And Desa ParkCity’s master plan and vision support this ideology very well,” says ParkCity Group CEO Datuk Joseph Lau.
Sited in Kuala Lumpur, Desa ParkCity has gained a reputation as the most liveable township in the country. This has been achieved by paying close heed to the market’s demand. Thus, to create homes suited to post-pandemic lifestyles, ParkCity’s latest project called Noöra will follow the ethos of the Scandinavian design fused with the developer’s exemplary model of communal living.
Slated for launch in Q3/Q4 of 2022, Noöra will be a 52-storey integrated development located on a 6.63-acre plot at the southern part of Desa ParkCity. It comprises two towers offering 1,156 residences ranging from one- to three-bedroom units and a dedicated retail component. This makes it the first residential suites development in the township that has a retail portion attached.
London-based Serie Architects (UK), together with Multiply Architects (Singapore), Scandinavian design advisory consultant Liti Design and Singapore-based design studio UPSTRS_ as well as landscape architect PIA Company Ltd worked with the developer to bring the Scandinavian theme to life across the entire project from its space-planning to interior design and lifestyle offerings.
Like its name, which means ʻlight’, the project wants to evoke a sense of optimism and joy with its spacious light-filled spaces where the home itself is cosy, comfortable and elegant in its simplicity and functionality. Hence, Noöra presents a lifestyle concept of a wholesome yet simple Scandinavian way of life.
Biophilic and sustainable design elements have been adopted to create a sanctuary inspired by the Nordic terrains using generous landscaping, open and green spaces as well as leaf-cascading terraces. The podium, which houses shared facilities and retail, is designed as a verdant hill with a flora pathway meandering through it. Hanging planters will cover the building facade while common areas, including lift lobbies, will be plant-filled.
The building is marked by neutral tones and passive cooling elements including sunshades above the apartment windows and long “barn pavilions” with deep overhangs. Combined with its lush landscaping, they reduce solar heat gain. All residential units and common areas will be filled with abundant natural light and ventilation, which also provides good air circulation to minimise disease spread.
In the residential unit, space is optimised and focused on functionality and simplicity while large windows give a sense of openness. Every unit has unimpeded views of the surroundings and will come partially furnished with designer kitchen cabinets with sink, tap and hood.
The highpoint of living at Noöra would be the convenience of the retail component. With about 50,000 sq ft net lettable area spread over three floors of retail, it embodies Convenience, Community and Connectivity — values that are prioritised in all ParkCity developments.
With ParkCity retaining ownership and managing the entire retail portion, you can expect a curated shopping experience that adds value to a co-living environment, including services such as co-working spaces, fitness studios, artisanal cafes and other F&B, and convenience stores.
Residents can rest assured that the retail portion will have separate accesses and parking while there will be facilities that are strictly for residents’ use only. And as with all other projects in Desa ParkCity, Noöra will be seamlessly connected to the myriad amenities and attractions in the township.
Crafted with young and millennial homeowners in mind, Noöra’s design caters to a new urban living model where one can work or relax anywhere. Most of the units do integrate a proper study or work space, but if you feel like having a change in scenery or crave some human interaction, just take your work outside to the additional study rooms, work lofts, reading nooks and study booths available on every amenity floor.
The “fourth place” concept employed in the project’s public spaces allows residents to enjoy shared communal spaces that act as extensions of the personal living space. Besides the work lofts, there are communal kitchen and communal workshop to encourage social interaction for all demographics and generations.
“A well-designed residential environment can facilitate interaction and spontaneity as well as arranged meetings. Multi-functional communal spaces provide opportunities for social contact and double as universal connectors, helping remove barriers of isolation, and building a greater sense of community,” says Lau.
The lifestyle offerings at Noöra are carved out into several themed zones. On level 3 for instance, holistic healing exists with amenities such as a yoga deck and reflexology path, while level 5 offers sports-like activities including a games room, multi-play circuit, children’s playground and a recreational sports court complete with a mini amphitheatre. For larger scale social activities, one can go to the amenities podium on level 8 which serves as an extension of the home especially for the smaller residential units as there will be a communal kitchen, entertainment room, private study rooms, swimming pools, Jacuzzi, BBQ facilities, activities lawn and even a forest trail. There is also a lookout pavilion on level 37 as well as a roof garden on level 48 where various outdoor activities such as glamping, BBQ and star-gazing can be pursued.
Having set the benchmark for sustainable communal living in Malaysia, Desa ParkCity is the place to live for astute homebuyers.
“As a master-planner, we infuse our heart and soul into our community, township and development, which is encapsulated by our five vital pillars — Family, Neighbourhood, Community, Connectivity and Convenience.
“What makes us stand out in building master-plan communities is our conviction and commitment to go beyond offering just homes, but by building an environment that promotes and nurtures wholesome community living,” says Lau.
In fact, having the amenities and conveniences within reach augured well for the community during the lockdowns as the residents were less affected by the restrictions compared with others.
Serie Architects (UK) and Multiply Architects (Singapore)
The London-based Serie Architects’ works can be seen around the world such as Carrick House (London), One Pearl Bank and Oasis Terraces (Singapore), Sun Tower (Ho Chi Minh) as well as Desa ParkCity’s Park Regent, which is currently under construction.
It has been named the Domus Best 50 Architecture Practices in the world in 2020, as well as one of the 10 visionary architects for the new decade by the Leading European Architects Forum.
Since 2013, Serie Architects has been collaborating with Multiply Architects (Singapore) on multiple projects across South East Asia. Christopher Lee (co-founder and principal of Serie Architects is the Arthur Rotch Design Critic in Architecture at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, and has been serving as the Mayor of London’s Design Advocate since 2017.
UPSTRS_ is a Singapore-based multi-disciplinarian design studio that covers spatial design, furniture design, graphics and art. Under the helm of founder and creative director, Dennis Cheok, UPSTRS_ has garnered several regional and international accolades.
The landscape architect for Noöra is Thailand’s leading design firm PIA Company Ltd. It has a successful track record of over 20 years in the design and execution of hotels, resorts, private residences, corporate offices, retail spaces and cultural event spaces throughout South East Asia. Its commitment to perfection is evident in its pursuit of excellence in the design and delivery of every one of its projects.
The firm of more than 180 professional staff members is led by Senior Design Partners, each with over 20 years of design experience, including Design Director Vachirapong Danny Arthayukti, who has been involved in various residential, corporate and hospitality projects worldwide.
PIA has earned multiple awards and recognitions, including Winner of the Asia Pacific Award in the International Hotel & Property Awards 2021 for the Banyan Tree in Krabi, and Winner of the Paris Design Awards 2020 — Commercial & Entertainment — for the Gentry Club in Hong Kong.
Scandinavian design advisory consultant Liti Design is founded by C.S. Tan in Malaysia with team members from Sweden and France. They have worked more than 30 years internationally for a leading Scandinavian Home Furnishing company where they have been responsible for establishing and introducing Scandinavian living, home furnishing and culture in more than 15 countries.
Demand for properties in this township has remained strong even amidst weak overall market conditions during the peak of the pandemic — a testament to its strong brand values. For instance, over 86% of the 537 units of Park Place were sold in just two days during its launch on Sept 26 and 27, 2020. It has been 98% taken up to date. Prospective buyers of the luxury condominium had arrived way before the sun rose to be the first in line.
Despite the long queue, an SOP-compliant and well thought-out sales event process, from waiting in line to purchasing a unit, ensured all buyers had a pleasant experience. Besides the township’s excellent standing in the eyes of homebuyers, Park Place in itself is attractive in many ways. Although it was designed before the first MCO, its innovative and practical design elements were able to meet the needs of a pandemic and post-pandemic lifestyle through the combination of the product and township’s offerings. Park Place also made an impact when it introduced the “fourth place” conceptual design for its shared work and social spaces.
For property investors, Desa ParkCity continues to deliver, as seen from the take-up of the remaining units at Park Place at higher prices after the launch. Similarly, units at another condominium — Park Regent — which was launched in July 2019, is also being sold at prices higher than at its launch. The township’s upcoming project Noöra offers an opportunity especially for millennial and young homebuyers, to invest, or to live and experience the gold standard of communal living in Desa ParkCity.
Homeowners will embark on a lifestyle that marries simplicity with the ease of having well-curated amenities literally at their doorsteps.
Come, live the hygge life at Noöra!
