The upper floors of an 'out-of-proportion' existing building were converted into a hotel consisting of 49 guest rooms and two six-bed dorms overlooking the partially preserved heritage of Chinatown. A façade was built and windows replaced by either timber louver shutters or closed with the clay brick wall. Rooms face the central void which introduces natural light and cros- ventilation. All materials were sourced locally and local craftsmen built the timber shutters and used recycled solid timber for the terrace. Solar panels for hot water are installed on the roof and the internal void was landscaped. The building works took place while the ground-floor hawker shops and a bank on the first two floors continued to operate.

Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture