EXPLORE 11 CURATED BOOTHS WHICH WERE SHOWCASED IN ARCHIDEX 2024, THE LARGE EXPOSITION DEDICATED TO ARCHITECTURAL INDUSTRIES

TEXT: NATHATAI TANGCHADAKORN
PHOTO COURTESY OF ARCHIDEX 2024 EXCEPT AS NOTED

(For Thai, press here)

In the wake of our expansive tour of ARCHIDEX 2024, staged from July 3-6 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), we were treated to a pulsating array of businesses, products, and services spanning the globe. This exhibition laid bare the dynamic strides being made in the architectural realm, enriched by both cutting-edge technology and fresh, innovative concepts. Over the course of the event’s four days, special attention was directed towards 11 thoughtfully curated booths. These were the result of collaborations between distinguished brands and visionary designers, handpicked by ARCHIDEX to offer visitors a series of distinct and immersive experiences.

Brand: APRESI
Company: HONGLEE GROUP (M) SDN BHD
Curator: Uhong How

This year, APRESI introduces its innovative ‘floating kitchen.’ The design employs exterior surfaces that seamlessly glide, ensconced in curves that both shield and highlight the internal mechanics, thus casting the product in a dramatic silhouette against the darkness.

Brand: Malaysian Timber Council
Company: Malaysian Timber Council
Curator: Ar. IDr. Esmonde Yap

Crafted by the Malaysian Timber Council, the booth is a testament to the sculptural and functional potential of wood. Here, large logs and flat timber panels are not merely displayed but transformed within a geometrically precise square layout. The material’s inherent flexibility is harnessed to create forms that bend and twist, crafting an underbelly that invites intrigue and interaction.

Brand: Mbond, Marklon Polyglass
Company: Mbond Manufacturer Sdn Bhd
Curator: Lee Wei Kuan Donny

In a robust collaboration, Mbond’s aluminum composite panels and Marklon Polyglass’ polycarbonate solid sheets converge to form a cubic edifice with its integrity secured by a steel skeleton. This architectural arrangement not only delineates space but also redefines it, serving dual purposes as both enclosure and canopy, with three portals enhancing both access and aesthetic coherence.

Brand: WEBER, GYPROC, PRIMA
Company: Saint-Gobain Malaysia Sdn Bhd
Curator: Elaine Yap

Due to its diverse product line, each side of the Saint-Gobain Malaysia booth acts as a distinct display window, allowing visitors to view products from the outside instead of solely exploring the interior. This effect is achieved by strategically carving out sections of the pavilion and designing the surfaces to break up their mass, preventing any sense of heaviness or opacity.

Brand: Chic Est
Company: Chic Est Sdn Bhd
Curator: RJ Wong

The Chic Est furniture exhibition booth distinguishes itself from others. A stark white wall punctuated with apertures offers fleeting glimpses into the interior, where a modest side entrance ushers visitors into a composed, almost contemplative arrangement of furniture. This design deliberately contrasts with the external chaos, offering a serene pause.

Brand: Sandor
Company: Jurusanwa Enterprise sdn bhd
Curator: Ar. Idr. Dexter Koh Yew Peng

Sandor, a brand specializing in door components, showcases a cylindrical pavilion. Eschewing walls, windows, and a roof, the structure relies on its bare skeletal metal frame and strategically placed doors to delineate between the interior and exterior realms. This open design fosters a fluid interaction, inviting engagement from all angles.

Brand: Virgo
Company: Virgo Pacific Sdn Bhd
Curator: Kalvin Ting Lik Wen

In the Virgo booth, laminate products are not just displayed; they are an integral part of the architectural fabric. Accessible from two sides, the booth is a masterclass in seamless design integration—from the backdrop to the flooring and shelving. Meanwhile, an impressively large yet subtle arched entrance enhances the spatial narrative, inviting exploration and interaction.

Brand: HVEA
Company: HeveaBoard Berhad
Curator: Claudio Francesco Bellini

Within its precisely defined rectangular footprint, the HVEA booth presents an engaging array of installations. Particleboard is reimagined into a series of box-like structures, seamlessly integrated with light boxes. These vary in height from mere inches off the ground to towering over visitors, creating an interactive landscape that playfully exhibits the brand’s diverse offerings.

Brand: Stone Empire & MAPEI
Company: Stone Empire Marketing Sdn Bhd & MAPEI Malaysia Sdn Bhd
Curator: Ar. IDr. David Teoh

Strategically positioned to catch the eye of those outside the hall, the Stone Empire & MAPEI booth makes a bold statement with its external orientation and vivid highlights. Inside, a specialized area showcases unique types of tiles where the staff’s professional expertise was provided to fully appreciate their intricacy.

Brand: Panel Plus
Company: Panel Plus Products (M) Sdn Bhd
Curator: Ar. Firadaus Khazis bin Ismail

Panel Plus transforms MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) and MFC (Melamine Faced Chipboard) into a dynamic narrative within their space. Distinctive assembly patterns elevate ordinary wall surfaces into a canvas of visual intrigue, each board type meticulously displayed to draw attention and engage viewers.

Brand: Rumah Comel by Solid Horizon
Company: Solid Horizon
Curator: Ryan Ng Woi Chean

Concluding the showcase is Rumah Comel by Solid Horizon, the unlikely exhibition booth, which revealed itself as a modular house. The booth invites visitors inside to traverse and be intrigued by a thoughtfully-decorated two-story house.

Introduced this year as an innovative feature, the Curated Booth represents a burgeoning creative endeavor, with much anticipation surrounding the evolution of this platform and the creativity it will foster. In 2024, the Curated-Booth Award was given to four booths for their exceptional designs: APRESI (Gold Winner), Malaysian Timber Council (Winner), Mbond together with Marklon Polyglass from Mbond Manufacturer (Winner), and WEBER, GYPROC, and PRIMA from Saint-Gobain Malaysia (Winner).

Explore the highlights and discover more fascinating designs at ARCHIDEX 2024 by visiting
archidex.com.my/day-3-archidex-2024-awards-winners

archidex.com.my