KLCC Park

Today's i-phone image of KLCC Park is taken from the mid level (Floor 41) of Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on a rather cloudy and hazy day. The park was designed by Roberto Burle Marx. It is said that it was the last work undertaken by the Brazilian architect. When the park was designed, the aim was to "leave the world a little more sensitive and a little more educated to the importance of nature".


The park was designed to showcase a heritage of tropical greenery by integrating man's creation with nature. The park itself contrasts as a calm environment in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the city. The park features many combinations of man-made design such as cements, water features and also natural features such as trees, shrubs, stones and wood. Elements of shape and topography were created to give an illusion of space. The combination of trees, shrubs and sculptures were arranged to provide color and form to the park.

Conservation and bio-diversity was a major influence in the creation of the park. 23 of the mature and rarer specimens were saved from the old Selangor Turf Club and transplanted into the park grounds. 1900 indigenous trees and 66 species of palms were planted in the park to promote bio-diversity. The trees were deliberately selected to attract local and migratory birds.

A man made lake was built in the middle of the park, directly in front of Suria KLCC mall and Petronas Twin Towers towards the middle of the park. A 43 meter elevated bridge that cut across the lake provides a vantage view of the park and the twin towers.

Call Waiting

i-Phone Friday today features the spectacular Petronas Towers connecting bridge that spans between the two towers at Levels 41 and 42 taken on a rather gloomy and rainy afternoon.

This photo epitomizes that frustrating feeling of anticipation when waiting on a telephone call. Maybe your waiting on that call back from the girl you have asked out for a date, or perhaps that important call back about the job you recently interviewed for, or maybe even those crucial medical results. Whatever it is you can waste a tremendous amount of time just looking at the phone and waiting.

Petronas Towers

I have had the opportunity over my last 20 years in Kuala Lumpur to watch the rapid development of the city and the building of the famous Petronas Twin Towers on the site of the original horse racetrack. Even now, working downtown in the centre of the city, I still continue to admire these magnificent towers which have become a focal point for visitors to the city.

Petronas Towers were completed in 1998 and at that time became the world's tallest buildings, just surpassing Sears Tower in Chicago, albeit because of the large spires. According to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, spires count, but antennae don't. Spires do not contain floors, but they are counted in the world's tallest building race for one architectural reason: they're nice to look at.

Petronas Towers reflect a unique blend of religion and economic prosperity. The $1.6 billion towers contain more than eight million square feet of shopping and entertainment facilities, underground parking for 4,500 cars, a petroleum museum, a symphony hall, a mosque, and a multimedia conference center.

Each tower's floor plan forms an eight-pointed star, a design inspired by traditional Malaysian Islamic patterns. The 88 story towers, joined by a flexible skybridge on the 42nd floor, have been described as two "cosmic pillars" spiraling endlessly towards the heavens.

Vital Statistics:
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Completion Date: 1998
Cost: $1.6 billion
Height: 1,483 feet
Stories: 88
Materials: Concrete, Steel
Facing Materials: Aluminum, Stainless Steel
Engineer(s): Thornton-Tomasetti and Ranhill Bersekutu