JOHOR BARU: After decades of designing projects for others, RDC Arkitek Sdn Bhd (RDC) has embarked on a new journey to create its own community space that caters to people across generations and their everyday needs.
Its director CK Tan said the 1.37ha (3.38 acres) development at Genting Indahpura township in Kulai is designed as a ‘third place’, where people of different generations can gather, interact and access services within their community.
“We are not building yet another mall, but a community space that caters to the needs and essential services for various groups of people in the community.
“We have done so many projects and have seen how things have changed over the years.
“We feel there is something missing and we are trying to fill that gap. We are trying to provide this third space that brings together the things people need in their everyday lives under one roof,” he said.
He said this to reporters when met during the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing ceremony with its first 10 partners for the development on Sunday (Sept 27).
Tan said the development, dubbed 366 Kulai, was inspired by The Commons in Bangkok, Thailand, and community centres in Singapore such as Our Tampines Hub.
“The community has genuine needs. For the elderly, we have our parents, so there is a need for senior care centres, and for the younger generation, we need kindergartens, childcare and similar services.
“For those of us who are working professionals, there is also increasing concern about health. So there is a need for gyms, sports such as pickleball and other enrichment activities.
“Pets are also playing an increasingly important role in the lives of many, and we want to provide a space for them too.
“We believe all these elements can synergise under one roof,” he said, adding that the first 10 partners would take up about 40% of the development’s 180,000sq ft net rentable area.
Meanwhile, RDC director Alex Leong said 366 Kulai was designed based on the architectural consultancy’s decades of experience in creating spaces for different communities and needs.
“We often talk about human-centred design. Of course, dollars and cents and the amount of rentable space per square foot are important.
“But I think human-centred design is something we are particularly good at.
“We understand things like ramps, staircases and accessibility, and how to design them so that they are suitable for the wider public,” he said.
Among the partners that have signed MOUs with RDC for the development are Anytime Fitness, Pickle Connection, Yes International College, Maslee Express, Chen TCM, Star Learner Occupational Therapy, Atedu, Seniora, Southern Medical Group and Just Cats City.
The project, expected to be completed in 2028, is adjacent to Haverse Development township, I-Park and SME Industrial Park, and is surrounded by eight schools and malls such as Johor Premium Outlets, AEON Mall Kulaijaya and IOI Mall Kulai.
It is also about 37km from the Second Link connecting Johor and Singapore, 5km from Senai International Airport and 3km from the North-South Expressway.
Once completed, the development will have about 280 covered parking bays, 28 valet parking bays, two entrances and five drop-off points.
