Proposal for Adaptive Reuse of Harbour Kuli Culture Gallery

1. The Adaptive Reuse of Harbour
Kuli Culture Gallery
Project 2 : Proposal for Adaptive Reuse

2. IT’S STRATEGICS.
(Lim, 2018)

3. (Lim, 2018)

4. 1835
Arrival of the
Chinese Community
As labourers to flee from war
Formation of clans
An increase of the
Chinese population in the
Malacca straits
1921
Uniting clans
“Ji Hong Shun Tang” +
“Long Shan” +
“Xie Fa” =
“Xie Long Shun”
1947
Demolition of Association
Number of coolies
decreased
2000 PRESENT
Transformation
Coolie depot converted
into temple
Owner : Mr. Chan

5. Spaces and their current functions
Courtyard
Mr Chan utilizes this spaces
to hangout with his friends
when he’s free
Storage & Utilities
Serves as a storeroom,
water supply and
washroom
Temple
The main altar of the temple with
records and documentation of the
culture gallery’s history along the walls
Entrance
Prayer room
This space have
remained more or
less the same
Gallery
This space is filled with shrine
figures collected through the
years for the temple.
Gallery
Showcases the objects used
by the coolies back in the
days. Exp: clothes, finance
distribution tools. etc.
Watch tower
& hide out

6. ARCHITECTURE
Harbour head
Harbour cabin
Harbour bottom
Harbour storage
Grandstand
19th century harbour ship Illustrated elevation of harbour kuli culture gallery

7. ARCHITECTURE
Accessible by anyone
Semi-private area for higher ranks
Strictly limited to trade union members (temple)
Ground Floor Plan
First Floor Plan
Spatial Hierarchy

8. SOCIAL BACKGROUND
Coolies storing rice sacks in the storage
back in 19th century (Thimbuktu, 2014)
Qing Shui shrine (Lim , 2018)
LIFE OF COOLIES

9. ACTIVITIES
Opium Smokers,
early 20th (Hix, 2012)
Chinese board games,
early 19th Shruti, 2018)
Chinese instrument, ‘er hu’
(Saatchi, 2018)
Mr Chan (Owner)
(Lim, 2018)
Gathering space
(Lim,2018)
THEN NOW
Temple
(Lim, 2018)

10. 2.0 Dilapidation survey

11. Exterior
The exterior of the building is well-maintained and has paint work done from time to time. Awnings were added
to adapt to the climate and also to protect the interior timber from rotting due to weather.
Ground Floor Plan Ground Floor PlanGround Floor Plan
(Lim, 2018) (Lim, 2018)
(Lim, 2018)

12. Interior
The decorative
ornaments and
furnitures that contain
significant
representation or
historical values are still
kept in remarkable
condition.
Opium den Door panelsBed for cooliesTable for salary distribution
Signages
Collection of statues of religious beliefs Door framing
(Lim, 2018)
(Lim, 2018)

13. The back of the gallery however is slightly run down and acts more as a storage (also because it was initially
already a storage area back in the days) and living area for the current owner.
Ground Floor Plan
Storage area Hang out area Paint condition Wooden door frame
(Lim, 2018)

14. 3.0 PROPOSAL

15. INTRODUCTION
● transform into a Gallery Cafe concept with the
intention to retain the original touch as much as
possible.
● Preserving the ground floor as the coolies gallery
● Transforming the backyard into a café
● Aesthetically pleasing back lane which features
mural art gain more exposure to the public and
allow the creativity of the people from the
surroundings to be expressed.
● Meets the purpose and intention of reviving the
historical and cultural significance of the building
while obeying to the conservation rules as a most
vital reference.
Chan, J. (1970)

16. COMPARISON
INITIAL
● Bright red façade well known to the locals.
● Imitates the harbour ship in terms of the
appearance, shape and spaces
● Functions as a temple and culture gallery
● Least known to public
PROPOSAL
● Cafe gallery concept
● Enhancement of experience to get a taste of the
coolies lifestyle in the past
● Public engagement through interactive activities
● Back to the glory days

17. APPROACHED
DEMOGRAPHICS
● Walking proximity to museums
● Strategic location as it is located in
the UNESCO core zone.
● High percentage of tourists
surrounding the area
● Gallery serves as a platform to
educate experience the coolies
lifestyle and chill ground

18. SPATIAL CONFIGURATION AND FUNCTION
FUNCTION
● Present the historical
and cultural value of the
coolies culture for the
public and tourist for the
● purpose of education
and enjoyment as a
whole.
Ground Floor Plan
CAFE HISTORICAL WALKWAY &
GALLERY
PHOTO BOOTH
SHARING
HUB
WORKSHOP TEMPLE
18

19. Longitudinal Sectional Perspective Cut indicating Proposed New Programme Spaces and Function
WORKSHOP
HISTORICAL WALKWAY
AND GALLERY
PHOTO BOOTH
CAFE
SHARING HUB
AND BEAN BAG
CAFE
EXTENSION

20. HISTORICAL WALKWAY AND GALLERY
Ground Floor Plan
TIMELINE FUNCTION
PAST AND
CURRENT
STATE
Temple and Circulatory Space
● records and documentation of the
culture gallery’s history along the walls.
PROPOSED
STATE
Gallery and Historical Walkway
● Display of collection of shrine figure
and objects
● Clear distinction of space with in depth
knowledge experience and detailed
explanation

21. Current State Proposed State
OBJECTIVE
● Draw historical flow of experience
● Heighten people’s sensitivity on the coolies lifestyle
(Google image, 2018)(Chan, J. ,1970)

22. WORKSHOP
TIMELINE FUNCTION
PAST AND
CURRENT
STATE
Main Gallery Space
● Display of objects and figure shrines
which showcase the lifestyle of the
coolies of the past
● Originally used as an opium den for
the coolies.
PROPOSED
STATE
Workshop Space
Gallery transfer to ground floor so that its
more visible to public.
● Requires more privacy
● Hands on experience for discovery of
learning knowledge and skills used by
the kuli predecessor
● Making kuih-muih which a part of the
tradition 22
The highlighted area on the first floor plan shows the location of the proposed
workshop space.

23. Current State Proposed State
OBJECTIVE
● Improve user’s understanding towards the culture of the past.
● Activities are interactive and incur curiosity such as making kuih
muih and handicraft workshop.
(Lim, 2018)
(Google, 2018)

24. HERITAGE GALLERY / MUSEUM + PHOTO BOOTH
TIMELINE FUNCTION
PAST AND
CURRENT
STATE
Watch Tower and Gallery
Coolie hideout and watch tower to view the
frontage of the building.Also where the
coolies get their monthly wages.Currently
functions as a gallery set up by Mr. Chan
which showcases the objects used daily by
the coolies back in the days.
PROPOSED
STATE
Heritage Gallery and Photo booth
To maintain its current features with few
additions such as period costumes and
props for photobooth to make it more
interesting, interactive and tourists friendly
by giving them a walk through time
experience.
First floor plan

25. (Lim, 2018)

26. Current State
Proposed State
OBJECTIVE
To enable the visitors to experience the life of coolies and to enhance its current function as a heritage gallery by
upgrading its facilities.
(Lim, 2018) (Google image, 2018)

27. CAFE WITH OUTDOOR SEATING
The highlighted area on the first floor plan shows the location of the
proposed cafe extended to the back lane.
TIMELINE FUNCTION
PAST AND
CURRENT
STATE
Courtyard and Hang Out Space
The internal courtyard with open air-well is
used as storage and utilities space in the
past.It is currently a hang out spot for
Mr.Chan and his friends to have a cuppa and
talk about life as it is well ventilated and
natural light will stream in during the day.
PROPOSED
STATE
Cafe
To retain the original layout and
accommodate a broad range of customers
of different age groups. Extension of the cafe
to the back lane is to provide more seatings
and to encourage the visitors to appreciate
the beauty of the mural done by local
artistes and the view of the bustling street.
27

28. Current State
28
OBJECTIVE
● Most simplest and direct way to attract younger generation
● Original architectural layout is ideal for a cafe setting
● Bring extra revenue for the daily operation and maintenance of Harbour Kuli Culture Gallery.
(Lim, 2018)

29. The Daily Fix Cafe , Malacca
CHOCHA Food Store,
Kuala Lumpur
Husk Brewery, London
Proposed State
(Google image, 2018)

30. SHARING HUB / MULTIFUNCTIONAL SPACE
The highlighted area on section of a physical model shows the location of the
proposed sharing hub.
TIMELINE FUNCTION
PAST AND CURRENT
STATE
Storage
The mezzanine floor was used solely for storage purposes since the early days
due to the height constraint.However, this space is in bad condition due to
weathering and lack of water proofing features in its current architecture.
PROPOSED STATE Sharing hub.
Sharing hub and a multifunctional space to house social events or private events
due to its versatility.

31. Current State Proposed State
OBJECTIVE
There are too many stories of coolies left untold, the main purpose of the sharing hub is to create a
laid back and relaxing atmosphere for the coolies' descendents to share their ancestors' stories
The prime purpose of the hub is to gather people and encourage interactions.
(Google image, 2018)
(Lim, 2018)

32. CONCLUSION
“HARBOUR KULI CULTURE EXPERIENCE”