The adaptive reuse of this abandoned 1920s waterfront godown in the George Town World Heritage Site aimed for the highest standards in conservation, sustainability and transformational impact. Dedicating 30% of the floor area to community use has kick-started regeneration in the district. The spatial layout throughout is designed for flexibility and universal accessibility. A biophilic courtyard with vertical garden, automatically irrigated using harvested rainwater, forms an integral part of the carefully planned circulation flow between spaces. Among other measures that earned the building’s LEED Gold certification are motorised sun louvres and louvred skylights to optimise passive lighting and airflow. The original sky lanterns were restored using mirrors and modern glass to reduce heat gain. Recycled materials were employed where possible.

Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture