SUMMIT PARK (TAMAN PUNCAK@SEPANG)
PARK
Client : Mah Sing Group Bhd
Location : Southville City, Bangi
Completion Year : 2020
Site Area : 9.62 Acres
FIABCI MALAYSIA PROPERTY AWARD™ 2023
• Summit Park@Southville City (Environmental Protection Category)
THE EDGE BEST MANAGED & SUSTAINABLE PROPERTY AWARDS 2023 – SILVER AWARD
• Summit Park@Southville City (Landscape Design Category)
Taman Puncak@Sepang is a 9.62-acre community-friendly recreational park that acts as a ‘Green Sanctuary’ within the new township of Southville City. The site adjacent to a commercial and residential neighbourhood, was deemed the most valuable land for recreational park development. A remnant of a former palm oil estate with a mountainous landform creates an iconic identity and a prominent green core in the neighbourhood. All ideas and concepts culminated in an environment that focuses on creating a cohesive development centred on community interaction with the natural environment.
SITE METAMORPHOSIS
Taman Puncak@Sepang or Summit Park was once a palm oil settlement located on unproductive land with unfavourable soil conditions. Nevertheless, it has undergone a remarkable transformation into a vibrant miniature forest within the city that promotes nature healing. This approach allows nature to thrive alongside built structures by utilizing the natural environment, consequently improving the overall health of urban environments and enhancing biodiversity. As a result, it has become a thriving habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna
BUILDING WITH NATURE
This recreational park exemplifies the concept of harmonious construction with nature through the repurposing, rehabilitation, and reforestation of a former brownfield. The ultimate objective is to enhance the surrounding environment, nurture fertile soils, restore the overall health of the soil, strengthen the natural ecosystem and address urban challenges in a sustainable way. Taman Puncak@Sepang was designed according to the principle of universal design to cater for all walks of life and to recognise that everyone navigates differently in the built environment.
The park consists of a balanced active and passive space that has been carefully planned and designed to provide opportunities for play and fun, learning, adventure and wellness. It also provides an immersive connection with nature, with layers upon layers of expansive canopies providing thermal comfort and enhancing the overall experience of visitors exploring the space.
The children’s playground offers children the opportunity to transform their learning environment into a natural space that encourages social interaction and exploration of nature by participating in fun and imaginative learning activities in a safe environment that supports children’s holistic development.
There is also an outdoor fitness area and over 20 different outdoor fitness machines and trails suitable for outdoor training.
COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL SAFETY STANDARDS FOR PLAYGROUNDS
Taman Puncak@Sepang Children’s Playground is considered as one of the pioneering public park playgrounds in Malaysia to comply with the international playground safety standards MS 966:2017 (playground equipment) and MS 2665:2017 (playground surfacing). This certification by the Playground Safety Association of Malaysia (PSAM) ensures that the latest safety standards and practices are adopted for all aspects of playgrounds and meet the latest international requirements.
‘The Pinnacle’, a 2,200 m² open space serves as a central multipurpose area for large gatherings and events with covered and open picnic areas for al fresco dining spread throughout the park. The ‘Summit View Point’, the highest accessible area, offers panoramic views of the entire park. All areas are connected by a 1.2-km looped pedestrian for pedestrians, which is ideal for strolling, jogging and cycling.
The concept is configured by the shapes, texture and identity of ‘Summit’ and translated into the overall design. The ideas for the landscape elements were derived from the horizontal forest elements, such as the shape of the stones, the shape of the leaves, the root structure and the river profile.
Meditation area surrounded by abundance of lush green plants offers the opportunity of a harmonious connection between human and nature as well as providing shade and thermal comfort for the surroundings.
The simple design of the polished concrete seating throughout Summit Park allows it to blend in with its natural surroundings.
With sustainability and biophilic design in mind, the revitalisation of Taman Puncak@Sepang or Summit Park contributes to the restoration of the environment and creates a public space for interaction between people and nature. In addition, the inclusion of various planting elements have been strategically placed throughout the nature-inspired urban park to create a harmonious and healing ambience that offers users the opportunity to connect with nature while living in the city.
