Before sustainability and adaptive reuse became buzzwords in design, Gooi Kok Wah built Chengal House almost entirely from architectural materials salvaged around Malaysia.
Gooi, who used to be an accountant, took the leap into making a business of salvaging timber structures from disused railway quarters, sawmills and kampung houses, which led to renovating and restoring old buildings over a decade ago.
STEADY GROWTH
As his business grew, Gooi needed to build a multi-purpose space to serve as a storage showcase and workshop, as well as for weekend stays or possibly his retirement home in the future. Nibong Tebal was a natural choice as he had grown up on the very land Chengal House would be built on, which used to be an oil palm orchard.
"This location is right at the end of Penang state where the borders to Kedah and Perak are within a three-km radius," says Gooi. "Here, there's clean air and blue skies all the time, and we still get fireflies at night. There are permanent forest reserves at the back of this property and a Penang State Water Reservoir just behind the hill."
This story is from the April 2024 edition of Tatler Malaysia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 2024 edition of Tatler Malaysia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Tech Talk
Rami Madani of ISKL discusses how AI is impacting education
Boarding Abroad
Elizabeth Marini and Mira Rosa Marini share parentchild perspectives of life at TASIS, the American boarding school in Switzerland that shaped a confident young woman
Gateway to Greatness
Three students share how Garden International School helped them reach their desired Oxbridge institutions
Choose Your Own Ed-venture
There are many noble academic reasons for undertaking a doctorate, but does having a PhD provide any career advantages a master's degree doesn't?
The Human Advantage
Can fresh graduates thrive in an Al-driven world? The future workforce is expected to move away from mundane tasks towards positions that demand critical thinking and interpersonal skills. Here’s what you need to excel in this dynamic era of human-AI collaboration
Join the Green Revolution
Redefine your digital footprint with the Acer Chromebook Vero 514, a revolutionary device that sets the standard for sustainability and performance
Not Your Average Joe
The Chromebook unlocks a seamless computing journey that merges style with functionality
Learning Unlocked
Gamification in education represents a paradigm shift in teaching and learning. By leveraging game-like elements to enhance motivation and engagement, the learning experience is transformed into an interactive and immersive journey
The Power of
What does this mean for our children's education and how can they benefit from it?
AS ABOVE
Dont forget to look up when you stay at these five-star hotels