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ARCHIFYNOW > PROJECT > Blu Water Studio Blends Contemporary Elements with a Historical Mansion in Penang

Blu Water Studio Blends Contemporary Elements with a Historical Mansion in Penang

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Location
Penang, Malaysia
Completion Date
13 July 2016
Gross Floor Area
2,200 square metres
Client/Owner
ET Hospitality Ventures Sdn Bhd
Interior Design Firm
Lighting Consultant
Lightcraft Ambience Architecture Sdn Bhd
Mechanical & Electrical Engineer
O&A Consultant Sdn Bhd
Quantity Surveyor
Unitech QS Consultancy Sdn Bhd
Interior Fit-Out Contractor
Pro Tech Deco Interiors Sdn Bhd
Images/Photos
Blu Water Studio Sdn Bhd, EQRoy on Shutterstock
VIEW PROJECT

The original article is published in Construction+ Malaysia online

Located on a well-known world heritage site in Penang, the Edison George Town takes its place in a former Hokkien tycoon’s Anglo-Chinese mansion built in the early 20th century. This upmarket 35-room boutique hotel combines the colonial past and oriental charm of Penang through a concept of timeless elegance that offers a blend of modern and traditional elements. It pays homage to the city’s monumental architectural features and creates a distinct design identity.

Blu Water Studio Imbues Contemporary Elements to a Historical Mansion in Penang

©Blu Water Studio

The interior design team retained more than 90 percent of the original layout, only removing walls that were not part of the original building structure. The distinctive spatial planning of the Edison George Town is something rarely seen in modern hotels. It is akin to the old Peranakan—Straits-born Chinese—mansions, where the spaces are connected from a centralised entrance to segregated halls with a courtyard in the middle, while the kitchen is kept behind the building and rooms are arranged symmetrically along the corridors. The open courtyard is a main traditional feature that provides a homely experience for guests to feel comfortable and at ease while they are in a foreign land. In a slight break from tradition, the rooms feature open-plan bathrooms that allow people to navigate without obstruction and induce a sense of luxury.

Blu Water Studio Imbues Contemporary Elements to a Historical Mansion in Penang

©Blu Water Studio

Blu Water Studio Imbues Contemporary Elements to a Historical Mansion in Penang

©Blu Water Studio

The team studied every space and came up with small but significant additions. Fine details and rich splashes of colours—such as porcelain blue and rich jade green panels—were used to decorate parts of the walls. Textures—such as velvet chairs, silk rugs and textured walls—also played a role in the design. A reputable lighting consultant helped to create ambience through the selection of mood lighting.

Blu Water Studio Imbues Contemporary Elements to a Historical Mansion in Penang

©EQRoy, Shutterstock

Jade-inspired accents, patterned tilework, bone china-inspired art and warm tones are blended into a light and airy environment to create a distinctive backdrop for the modern day traveller. The guest rooms reflect the colonial past through its monochromatic setting, whilst injecting modernity with contemporary furnishings. This juxtaposition of past and future encapsulates the charm of the Orient within this hotel.

The original article is published in Construction+ Malaysia online

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