While the brief was primarily to design an IT institute that resides in the inner city, the architects took this opportunity to apply some mitigation measures to urban decay.As the average household size is on the decline, especially among city dwellers, there is a growing need to accommodate the segment of society that wish to live small.
Located along Lebuh Acheh, the row of 9 colonial-era shophouses is the subject of a recent adaptive-reuse development to create a co-working/living cluster comprising 17 studio-type residential units on the upper floor and a combination of commercial and office spaces beneath.Historically, the street was a trade centre and residence for Arab tradesmen and locals.The site is placed in close proximity to two important cultural and spiritual sites in George Town, the Khoo Kongsi temple and Masjid Acheh.
Originally, the site comprises a row of 9 individual shophouses attached side by side, with a string of narrow lanes around the back and sides of the block.Each shophouse had a staircase leading to the upper floor and is primarily accessed from Lebuh Acheh.The building was found in a state of disrepair at the start of construction work.
Now in use as Forward School, an IT educational facility, the 9 shophouses were converted to a single linked building complex.This was achieved by breaking the walls down the middle section of the block, creating a long corridor naturally lit and ventilated by the many courtyards in the shophouses.This corridor acts as the main vein to access all the building facilities, which include private office spaces, cafes, and conference rooms.
All the intermediate staircases have been demolished, replacing them with one at either end of the corridors.Each of the co-living units enjoys access to open ventilation and daylight, with the smaller, back-facing units opening up to the courtyards.The front-facing units can comfortably fit a living area, kitchen, and segregated resting area.While the back-facing units are smaller, the high ceiling affords some extra height to accommodate a loft space.Aimed at students of Forward School and tech startups, the building allows IT enthusiasts to be strategically situated in a fully equipped facility that helps them grow in the industry.
The back lane is now exclusively for the occupants to access their residential units, separating public and private circulation.Upon coming through the rear entrance, residents are greeted by a small lounge before entering a more private sitting area upstairs that acts as a transition space for the private co-living area.
More publicly oriented, the courtyards are filled with lush vegetation, breathing life deep into the interior of the building complex.Each courtyard is designed with a different configuration of hardscape and softscape elements, acting as a wayfinding element.
The interior opts for a light and rustic aesthetic, employing surfaces like polished concrete floors and smooth white plastered walls.Some of the walls have also been stripped of their plastered finish to expose the original brickwork.Brightly coloured furniture and a variety of plants add vibrancy to the interior space, appearing most elegant in places where sunlight can penetrate.
Heritage experts were brought on to assess the dilapidation and make recommendations for the new project.Part of the roof was found to have been replaced with asbestos sheets during the initial site visits.The current roof now uses clay tiles that are more faithful to the construction styles of its era.As with most heritage buildings in George Town, the building façade has also been made good.Decorative elements have been preserved and repainted.
Given that this is an adaptive reuse project, the development carries a relatively lower carbon footprint than that of a new development.The diverse nature of the complex’s functions demanded thoughtful integration of living, social, and commercial functions that are instrumental to creating a sustainable housing module in the inner city.
As a heritage project, Forward School transforms the shophouses into a digital hub, bringing contemporary functions to architecture from a bygone era.In this way, the design honours the heritage values of the original building and extends its livelihood simply by occupying an otherwise abandoned and dilapidated building in the inner city.It is hoped that there continue to be developments that recontextualise old buildings for contemporary uses as part of a move towards a more sustainable built environment.
