ADF Award Winner of the MIID REKA Awards 2024

The Malaysia Interior Designers Association (MIID), the representative body of the interior design industry in Malaysia, has announced the winners of the MIID REKA Awards 2024. Aoyama Design Forum (ADF) has been supporting this award as a corporate partner since 2018. This year’s ADF Award winner is Else Kuala Lumpur, a design hotel located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. The project was recognized for its exceptional adaptation of a historic building into a contemporary hospitality space.

View of Else Kuala Lumpur, showing the original building and the extended 2 floors above

Else Kuala Lumpur is housed in the 1931 Art Deco building, Lee Rubber Building, which was transformed into a 49-room boutique hotel. Situated in the bustling historical district of Chinatown, the hotel offers a serene retreat away from the city’s chaos. The design incorporates several voids to introduce natural light and ventilation, enhancing the building’s functionality. Additionally, a newly constructed three-story extension floats above the original structure, blending modern elements with historical architecture.

Cross-section showing the relationship between the existing building, the new voids and the extension above it

First Floor Layout Plan

Design

The design theme of this project is duality, exploring contrasts such as past and present, public and private, light and dark. The design provides guests with a tranquil and restorative experience, creating a stark contrast to the vibrant surroundings of Chinatown. Upon stepping into Else Kuala Lumpur, visitors are enveloped in a calm atmosphere, designed to allow them to create their own unique experiences. Inside the building, atriums bring in natural light, ensuring the corridors and communal spaces are bright and open. The structure’s vertical and horizontal sightlines create dynamic perspectives throughout, adding layers of visual intrigue to the guest experience.

Ground Floor Entrance Foyer

Ground Floor Lounge

First Floor Reception room

Features

• Natural light and ventilation: The corridors utilize natural airflow, complemented by ceiling fans positioned under the shade of the new extension to maintain a cool environment.
• Artistry and craftsmanship: Interior elements include 100-year-old merbau wood sourced by artisans in Penang and handwoven bedheads by Sarawak’s indigenous Bidayuh and Penan tribes.
• Furniture and accents: The hotel features rugs designed by Omar Khan, antique wooden columns, and other curated pieces, creating a warm and inviting ambiance.

First Floor Sunken Living Room

1st to 3rd Floor circulation areas with the voids

Fourth Floor Pool level, from guests' changing room area

Project Impact

Else Kuala Lumpur demonstrates how historic architecture can be preserved while setting new benchmarks for modern hospitality. This project exemplifies a seamless blend of Art Deco heritage and contemporary innovation, transforming the hotel into a new landmark in Kuala Lumpur. It offers visitors a sanctuary of peace amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.

Part of the Sixth Floor Corner Suite

One iteration of the standard (Mantra) rooms within the original building

About Ar.IDr ADELA NATHALIE NURAINI ASKANDAR

Her approach emphasized the dualities of past and present, public and private, while prioritizing tranquility and balance throughout the space. Key highlights include atriums that introduce light and airflow into the building’s core, and the use of traditional crafts and materials, which infuse the interiors with a sense of regional heritage. This thoughtful design provides guests with a unique and immersive experience that resonates with the local culture.