UAB Building

Project Name
UAB Building

Location
George Town, Penang

Scope
Architecture, Interior

Status
Completed

“ Exemplary edifice which not only honours its rich architectural lineage but also resolutely demonstrates the innate connection to nature and natural processes to enhance health and well-being of spaces to work, play and live in. ” PAM (Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia) 2018 Jury Citation

The stunning restoration and adaptive reuse of the UAB building embodies the very principles of sustainability. Conservation works have been brought to an entirely new level of international best practice ‘green building’ standards. It is the first Malaysian heritage building awarded Gold status for the internationally coveted U.S. LEED (Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design) rating.

The PAM judges went beyond the recognition of the skilful, best-practice conservation and adaptive reuse of the early 1922 building. Particular emphasis was placed on the benchmark-setting sustainability and transformational impact that the restored building has had in the neighbourhood and the wider community. It has become a catalyst and an accelerator for the critical urban rejuvenation of the neglected precinct between the busy downtown and the waterfront of George Town. By bringing new life into an original godown-storage structure servicing the port zone the building promotes and enhances George Town’s Outstanding Universal Values, which are the key ingredients that were recognised in the World Heritage inscription.

Repositioning the building as an anchor of the neglected precinct was a key target from the beginning. When confronted with what was historically a port-side godown space that had been clumsily converted into office and banking commercial spaces and subsequently left to decay, the evolving design approach grew to become more than just restoration and adaptive re-use. It endeavoured to be of the highest international standards, ground breaking, sustainable and relevant.

To the full extent possible, original building materials were retained, others were salvaged, recycled and repurposed for furnishing and other items. Natural lighting softened spaces, the courtyard with its vertical green wall acts as the heart of the building moderating the urban atmosphere of the context and encouraging interaction.

Beyond George Town, this impactful approach to adaptive reuse in the context of a World Heritage Site is encouraging building owners, practitioners and decision-makers in urban planning and policy making to pursue higher standards.

While acknowledging that the very act of restoration is an act of conservation and re-use of existing building stock, the project focussed on innovation in design with dedication to water and energy efficiency. It was resolute in creating an excellent indoor quality for users and on recycling materials and resources. Restoration and adaptive reuse of the UAB building have gone beyond just conserving physical and cultural heritage. It has also ensured that the ‘all-new look’ operation is embodied with the very principles of the Biophilic notion of the human need to affiliate with nature and other forms of life. This became the driving force and key consideration in developing the work spaces as well as the building’s integrated public realm.