Intended as an exercise in rejuvenating old structures, the project involved carving interesting, light-filled office spaces out of the top floor of a disused 1960s shophouse for an architectural practice in the heart of downtown Kuching. With extensive views of the Sarawak River, the architects saw this as an opportunity to re-adapt existing structures in exciting new ways.

The site’s industrial and wharfside history is reflected in the choice of raw steel, concrete and recycled elements as finishes, and also shows how humble materials can be used to create sophisticated architecture and interiors. The project also makes extensive use of recycled elements – discarded cardboard tubes for newsprint as a reception backdrop feature, water-damaged timber floor boards incorporated into the reception counter and an old industrial steel screen transformed into a suspended light feature. An exposed brick wall in the waiting area serves as a textured backdrop for a collection of tribal objects and old utilitarian ceramic vessels.

This project was completed in 2012 and featured in Architecture Malaysia magazine.