Divergent Dwelling Design (D3)
By Maria Zura Mohd Zain

The findings of the study “Affordable and Sustainable Housing in the Klang Valley” have led to the creation of Divergent Dwelling Design, or D3.

In order to address the issue of affordable housing, this study highlighted the importance of quality and sustainability. Furthermore, affordable housing can benefit from modern comfort and space design that is more conducive to and compatible with modern life. 

Correspondingly, the CREAM research arm of CIDB collaborated with Sime Darby Property and G&A architects for the first time on this study

D3 is an innovative plan that bases its construction methodology on the Industrialised Building System (IBS). The inclusion of IBS materials in this home build can increase the building’s overall quality, guarantee site safety, shorten the construction duration, and reduce its overall cost

D3 showcases a novel innovation wherein multi-story dwellings are ideally based on traditional village home (strata) design. Taking its cue from the traditional ‘Rumah Kampung’, two (2) floorplan options have been created, respectively measuring 900 and 1000 square feet, which are perfect for today’s urban dwellers.

Sime Darby Property’s Elmina West development in Shah Alam, Selangor, features two distinct housing options: the 900-square-foot Type C residence and the 1,000-square-foot Type D residence, both of which are part of the Rumah SelangorKu (RSKU) programme. In addition, the courtyard areas serve the needs of the current residents, applying the sustainability aspect of the D3 design by highlighting the green terrace.

Accordingly, on April 4, 2023, the Manager of the Centre for Advanced Construction Technology (CACTI) CREAM and team, the Marketing Manager of CREAM, and the Senior General Manager, Technology Development Sector (SPT), CIDB Pn. Zainora Zainal and her team were present for a technical visit to view the final result of the D3 house that had been completed, prior to handing it over to the resident.
 
The construction project started in 2019 and was completed in 2023, despite the COVID-19 global pandemic. This home appears to be quite cosy and relaxing due to the ‘Rumah Kampung’ element. The construction results are also of a very high standard and quality. We are proud of the opportunity given and the final result shared by Sime Darby Property. Hopefully, with this achievement, more developers and other parties in the construction industry will be able to become CREAM partners and cooperate with CREAM. We expect that the other R&D results produced by CREAM, apart from the D3, will be widely used by the construction industry.

Check out CREAM’s website for the latest headlines and news in the latest issue of CREAM E-Magazine : Construction Research Institute of Malaysia (CREAM) CREAM E-Magazine

For more info on D3 Rumah Selangorku Pangsapuri Harmoni by Sime Darby Property, visit website: Harmoni Elmina 1 (City of Elmina) | Sime Darby Propert