Project Name
Suffolk House
Location
George Town, Penang
Scope
Conservation & Adaptive Reuse
Status
Completed
The restoration of Suffolk House has revived the last surviving Anglo-Indian Georgian house in Malaysia, once the residence of Captain Francis Light. Its neoclassical architecture weaves a narrative of early Penang, encapsulating the diverse historical epochs it has witnessed.
Following Captain Francis Light’s passing, the house served as the residence of East India Company’s early Governors and housed the Anglo-Chinese High School before eventually falling into abandonment. Thanks to years of campaigning by the Penang Heritage Trust, a meticulous restoration endeavor was embarked upon, aimed at preserving the majestic and historical significance of this structure.
To return Suffolk House to its original 18th-century form, paintings became one of the significant sources of references; especially the ones done by James George. These visual depictions and the assistance offered by the SACON Heritage Unit provided a detailed insight into the building’s original appearance—crucial due to its deteriorated state and the alterations made prior to abandonment. Given its dilapidated condition, the ‘Bottom Up’ approach was employed, executed with utmost precision and care.
