Loke Thye Kee Residences is situated in the heart of Georgetown Penang, one of 5 Malaysian UNESCO
world sites rich in heritage. MOD’s design draws inspiration from this heritage and specifically the historic Loke Thye Kee restaurant, its 100-year-old namesake and neighbor. Both the restaurant and the residences re developed by the same owner, 1919 Global Sdn Bhd.
Harking back to the romance of the early 1900’s, Loke Thye Kee Residences recalls the spirit of a
bygone era but adds its own contemporary twist to modernize the living experience.
Set in 5 pre-war shophouses characteristic of Georgetown, Loke Thye Kee Residences complements the Loke Thye Kee restaurant by providing 5 suites for both long and short-term guests. Designed amidst the footprint of the traditional shophouse courtyard and alleyway, each of the 5 suites is preluded by a lush garden forecourt and an intimate private balcony. The suites are furnished with soaring pitch roofs and all suites are well appointed with living areas and full facility pantry spaces.
The traditional meets the contemporary on several levels, from the materiality to the spatial experience.
Traditional timber hardwood floors are contrasted with customized contemporary fixtures that are
designed to appear as if levitating. The rough texture of the original brick walls are visually enlivened by
hidden LED cove lighting and the typically enclosed vanity and wardrobe spaces are celebrated as
transparent glass boxes which seamlessly extend into the rest of the room. Floor rugs, cushion fabrics
and furniture pieces were chosen to reflect the central theme of adding a contemporary twist to the
traditional.
MOD also designed all the branding and in-room collateral in order to provide a holistic experience,
ranging from a quirky pillow menu, to a food map navigating the area’s street food, the room service
menu, TV menu etc. The artwork was specially commissioned for the project and it reflects the spirit of historic Penang framed in a modern way.