The Kedah Digital Library (KDL) celebrates the future-forward concept of “Library Without Books”, redefining the role of a state-owned public library as a learning hub and community node.The project emerged as a result of the adaptive re-use of an existing 2-storey colonial bungalow – Memorial Tunku Abdul Rahman Building in Alor Setar, in a site with total area spanning 2.13 acres.The former Memorial Tunku Abdul Rahman Building was an iconic landmark within the immediate milieu, rich with heritage value and charm.The original site nestles in a lush green lung adjacent Alor Setar’s largest urban park, rejuvenated with a new life as a Digital Library in a park-garden ambience.KDL’s development is divided into two distinct and successive sections, comprising: –
Section 1 – ‘The Tunku Mansion’ is the refurbishment of the existing historic Anglo-Indian bungalow as the first immediate parcel roll-out to benefit the neighbouring community.
Key spaces include private reading and study spaces, kids digital play room, discussion rooms, a renewed garden and parking spaces.
Section 2 – ‘New Annex Library’ entails a New Annex building as an extension to The Tunku Mansion – with multi-purpose event halls, amphitheatre, teleconference facilities and most importantly, a contemporary new Digital Gallery featuring a virtual exhibition of notable Kedah leaders.
Repurposing historic structures with resilient design for new public usage. Preserving the excellency of its previous purposes and adapting them into parts of a larger, newer brief. For instance, moving the previous traditional memorial gallery to a redesigned space in the New Annex. Reimagining how new age information is consumed by the current society and integrating them into building design, e.g. virtual exhibition and borderless galleries.
02 Strategic Planning of Project Roll-Out / Re-activation of Urban Nodes
