MAHJONG: Cultural Interiors as Architecture of Memory and Communal Identity | Bachelors Design Project

Site Context

Petaling Street, once the beating heart of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown, carries deep historical and cultural significance. In the early 1960s, Chinese immigrants began to settle here, forming close-knit groups that grew into a vibrant community. Life in Petaling Street revolved around both work and social interaction—by day, the shophouses bustled with traders, herbal shops, and food stalls, while by night, the upper floors transformed into intimate domestic spaces. It was here that mahjong found its role: families, friends, and neighbors gathered around tables, the rhythmic sound of shuffling tiles echoing above the street, symbolizing unity, leisure, and resilience.

The unique shophouse architecture, with its narrow facades and deep interiors, not only shaped the business environment but also fostered the culture of living and working under one roof. However, in recent decades, the character of Petaling Street has changed drastically. Many locals moved out in search of better living environments, leaving behind fragmented communities. Traditional businesses have dwindled, giving way to modern retail, tourism-driven enterprises, and transient populations. The once-lively, warm atmosphere rooted in communal living and cultural rituals has diminished, leaving Petaling Street struggling with an identity crisis.

Design Process

The project takes mahjong as the central narrative, using it to explore cultural memory, community life, and heritage continuity. The design begins with the concept of three timelines—past, present, and future. The past represents the vibrant social life of Petaling Street, where mahjong was accompanied by tea, dim sum, and spectators, shaping a sense of warmth and belonging. The present reflects the decline of this cultural identity, as modern distractions like gadgets disrupt interaction. The future, though uncertain, envisions the revival of tradition, where older generations guide the young, ensuring transmission of skills, stories, and values.

Cultural studies informed the design language. Heritage colors, symbolic Chinese patterns, and feng shui principles were embedded into the space to create a culturally rooted atmosphere. Inspiration was also drawn from the adaptability of shophouse structures in Petaling Street, where extendable and flexible layouts supported community living.

The six-storey site introduced challenges of vertical circulation. A central void was introduced to connect levels visually and socially, creating an engaging spatial flow that encourages visitors to move upwards while maintaining interaction between floors. Zoning was carefully planned to balance open communal areas with private spaces, allowing multiple layers of experience while preserving intimacy where needed.

Final Outcome

The design of MAHJONG reflects both the past vibrancy and present challenges of Petaling Street, reinterpreting its cultural essence through space, material, and form. Red, a color symbolizing prosperity, joy, and community in Chinese culture, is celebrated across the building through bold beams and columns. These red structures extend vertically, visible in sections as veins rooting the building from ground to top, symbolizing heritage, continuity, and extension of the lively street spirit once found here.

The blending of vintage and modern elements forms a dialogue between eras: traditional Dou Gong structures decorate column heads, while glass and LED lights inject contemporary energy. Together, they bridge the old warmth of Chinatown with modern expression. Voids punctuate different levels, inviting direct connections between spaces, while column and ceiling designs guide the eye upward, encouraging visitors to explore. Neon-like LED signage restores the bustling chaos and vibrancy that once defined the street.

Each program—Daai Paai Dong, Ceoi Seoi, Daap Toi, Pou Tou, Uk Kei, and Haang Gai—translates analysis into space, from food culture to casual gathering, from heritage preservation to communal living. Collectively, they revive Petaling Street’s human warmth, re-rooting its identity through mahjong as both tradition and future.

Conclusion: Ultimately, MAHJONG reimagines Petaling Street by weaving heritage with modernity, restoring its vibrancy through space, material, and form. Bold red structures, traditional motifs, and contemporary elements converge to symbolize continuity and renewal. Through diverse programs, the design revives community warmth, reconnecting Chinatown’s past spirit with its future identity.

[This Academic Project has been published with text and images submitted by the student]