The Twin Towers Of Culture And Progress

At first glance, the Petronas Twin Towers is an elaborate display of modern architecture in all its magnificence and grandeur, but a closer look reveals cleverly interwoven elements of Malaysia’s cultural heritage and tradition in its distinctive design. While cultural heritage and modern development may seem like opposite ends of the spectrum – one symbolising the past and the other the future, both come together gracefully in the Petronas Twin Towers, positioning it as a symbolic brand icon of Malaysia.

The Twin Towers’ 88-storey magnificence is set in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s business district overlooking a circle of commercial, cultural and tourism attractions of international standards like Suria KLCC, Asy-Syakirin Mosque, KLCC Park, the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, the Mandarin Oriental and KL Convention Centre. Throngs of visitors, both local and international, are drawn to this city centre hub of music, shopping, business and leisure. A picturesque backdrop, the image of the Twin Towers’ towering presence has had its fair share of international exposure through the Asian X-Games in 2002, which set the pace for many more events to come in the future.

Still standing tall as the world’s tallest twin towers at 452 metres (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Petronas_Twin_Towers), the Twin Towers’ Unique Selling Proposition is its embodiment of local designs and motifs in its modern architecture. More often than not, cultural heritage is left in the wake of modern progress but this certainly is where the Twin Towers is an exception because its exterior structure and interior design are infused with Malaysian designs and motifs. A cross section of the Twin Towers reveals as one of the building’s most prominent design features of Islamic influence – a floor plan resembling an eight-point Islamic star motif symbolising harmony and strength. As visitors tour the interiors of the towers, other traditional and contemporary Malaysian motifs such as songket designs, timber carvings and mengkuang weavings are found well blended into its modern interior.

Apart from its structural feat as the tallest twin towers in the world, the Twin Towers’ consistent brand positioning as a prominent centerpiece of Kuala Lumpur’s skyline, both in the dark of night and the light of day, has emotionally positioned the Twin Towers as the pride of Malaysians. Our pride in the Twin Towers can be seen in a wide variety of souvenirs of all shapes and sizes, fine wood carvings, handicrafts and pewter. Tourists and visitors take a piece of our Malaysian icon back to their homeland where the Twin Towers stand proudly as a Malaysian brand. As hosts to foreign visitors, a trip to the Twin Towers skybridge is an absolute must on the agenda. Let’s admit it, the Twin Towers has emotional strings of pride and sentimentality connected to every Malaysian’s heart.

The Twin Towers’ prestigious brand image also caught the attention of movie director, Jon Amiel, as the primary action location for the Blockbuster film Entrapment, starring Hollywood celebrities Catherine Zeta Jones and Sean Connery. The apex of the action movie, as both Hollywood stars escape their pursuers by swinging underneath the skybridge at 750 feet above the ground, was a magnificent scenario that captured the Twin Towers as an unforgettable cinematic landmark.

After all is said at length, what makes the Twin Towers a truly Malaysian brand? Even as a magnificent structure, the Petronas Twin Towers rightfully represents Malaysia’s cultural and progressive qualities that have put Malaysia on the world map. When people across the globe see the Petronas Twin Towers, they see our culture, they see our progressive development, they see Malaysia as it truly is. And that is what makes the Petronas Twin Towers a truly Malaysian brand that all Malaysians are proud of.

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