Inside Peninsula House: The transformation of a Penang art deco landmark
Above The interplay between preserved architectural features and new interventions creates a restaurant space that respects the building's Art Deco heritage
Above The hallways of India House has seen an evolution from HSBC branch to US Information Service to Peninsula House
The design team responded creatively: 'We decided to create platforms to delineate spaces, as we had the volume to play with heights,' says Ken.
The solution resulted in three distinct levels of dining experiences with deliberate shifts in elevation that address both client requirements and spatial dynamics. These varying planes create different perspectives throughout Peninsula House, transforming what could have been an overwhelming space into areas of visual interest and controlled intimacy.
Don't miss: 7 iconic cantilever chairs that shaped modern furniture
Above Varying elevations create distinct dining experiences throughout the formerly sparse interior
Above Custom sliding doors honor architectural heritage while providing modern climate control
Preserving the building's architectural integrity while introducing contemporary elements required precision. 'The most important elements were the facade and the details of windows and doors,' Ken explains.
The team maintained the original metal framework but replaced the blue-tinted glass with a combination of textured and clear panels. Custom sliding doors were designed to allow balcony access while maintaining climate control – a practical solution that honours architectural heritage without sacrificing modern comfort.
Read more: Embracing warm minimalism: Beyond austerity in interior design
Photo 1 of 3 A key feature of Peninsula House was how the original metal framework was preserved with thoughtfully updated glass panels
Photo 2 of 3 The original Art Deco window framework has been carefully preserved while introducing warm wooden furnishings
Photo 3 of 3 This space exemplifies Wunderwall Design's approach of creating controlled intimacy within the formerly sparse interior through deliberate elevation changes and a warm, neutral palette of whitewashed timber and bone-white lime paint
The material palette reveals careful consideration: bone-white lime paint, whitewashed timber, patinated wood, stone, and metal create textural contrast. The furnishings combine custom-designed pieces with vintage discoveries.
'We wanted similar contrasts in the built works and the loose pieces, hence the mix of vintage and new,' Ken elaborates. One remarkable find was a jewellery desk repurposed as a bar, exemplifying their adaptive approach.
See also: VanaVasa Eco-Resort: Luxury meets sustainability in Janda Baik, Malaysia
Above Custom fixtures and carefully preserved architectural elements ensure that even utilitarian spaces contribute to the cohesive design narrative
Above A repurposed jewellery desk finds new life as Peninsula House's bar beneath the loft-like ceiling space
Craftsmanship was central to Peninsula House's success. Ken highlights their collaboration with local stainless steel artisans who created pendant lights and candle holders using innovative polishing techniques. 'It was something new to them as well, but they were very willing to explore,' he adds.
The entrance portal to Peninsula House, constructed from reclaimed Kaya timber, presented unique challenges. 'We had to navigate our design details, sizes and height with the limitations of working with solid timber,' Ken notes. 'The outcome is a majestic entrance portal.'
NOW READ
7 distinctive mid-century modern hotels in Asia for design lovers
Ultimate Malaysian Home Tours guide: 7 stunning homes in Penang
Bill Bensley: Eco-luxury hotels' design rebel
Credits
Best of Tatler Asia video highlights
Featured videos from around Tatler Asia: Get exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the interviews we do, the events we attend, the shoots we produce, and the incredibly important people who are part of our community
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tatler Asia
19-05-2025
- Tatler Asia
Inside Peninsula House: The transformation of a Penang art deco landmark
Above The interplay between preserved architectural features and new interventions creates a restaurant space that respects the building's Art Deco heritage Above The hallways of India House has seen an evolution from HSBC branch to US Information Service to Peninsula House The design team responded creatively: 'We decided to create platforms to delineate spaces, as we had the volume to play with heights,' says Ken. The solution resulted in three distinct levels of dining experiences with deliberate shifts in elevation that address both client requirements and spatial dynamics. These varying planes create different perspectives throughout Peninsula House, transforming what could have been an overwhelming space into areas of visual interest and controlled intimacy. Don't miss: 7 iconic cantilever chairs that shaped modern furniture Above Varying elevations create distinct dining experiences throughout the formerly sparse interior Above Custom sliding doors honor architectural heritage while providing modern climate control Preserving the building's architectural integrity while introducing contemporary elements required precision. 'The most important elements were the facade and the details of windows and doors,' Ken explains. The team maintained the original metal framework but replaced the blue-tinted glass with a combination of textured and clear panels. Custom sliding doors were designed to allow balcony access while maintaining climate control – a practical solution that honours architectural heritage without sacrificing modern comfort. Read more: Embracing warm minimalism: Beyond austerity in interior design Photo 1 of 3 A key feature of Peninsula House was how the original metal framework was preserved with thoughtfully updated glass panels Photo 2 of 3 The original Art Deco window framework has been carefully preserved while introducing warm wooden furnishings Photo 3 of 3 This space exemplifies Wunderwall Design's approach of creating controlled intimacy within the formerly sparse interior through deliberate elevation changes and a warm, neutral palette of whitewashed timber and bone-white lime paint The material palette reveals careful consideration: bone-white lime paint, whitewashed timber, patinated wood, stone, and metal create textural contrast. The furnishings combine custom-designed pieces with vintage discoveries. 'We wanted similar contrasts in the built works and the loose pieces, hence the mix of vintage and new,' Ken elaborates. One remarkable find was a jewellery desk repurposed as a bar, exemplifying their adaptive approach. See also: VanaVasa Eco-Resort: Luxury meets sustainability in Janda Baik, Malaysia Above Custom fixtures and carefully preserved architectural elements ensure that even utilitarian spaces contribute to the cohesive design narrative Above A repurposed jewellery desk finds new life as Peninsula House's bar beneath the loft-like ceiling space Craftsmanship was central to Peninsula House's success. Ken highlights their collaboration with local stainless steel artisans who created pendant lights and candle holders using innovative polishing techniques. 'It was something new to them as well, but they were very willing to explore,' he adds. The entrance portal to Peninsula House, constructed from reclaimed Kaya timber, presented unique challenges. 'We had to navigate our design details, sizes and height with the limitations of working with solid timber,' Ken notes. 'The outcome is a majestic entrance portal.' NOW READ 7 distinctive mid-century modern hotels in Asia for design lovers Ultimate Malaysian Home Tours guide: 7 stunning homes in Penang Bill Bensley: Eco-luxury hotels' design rebel Credits Best of Tatler Asia video highlights Featured videos from around Tatler Asia: Get exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the interviews we do, the events we attend, the shoots we produce, and the incredibly important people who are part of our community
Times
29-04-2025
- Times
HSBC sets aside $876m for bad loans from Trump's trade war
The Asia-focused banking giant HSBC has warned of a rise in possible bad loans as it braces for the fallout from President Trump's assault on the global trading order. The FTSE 100 bank said in its first-quarter results that it had set aside $876 million for expected credit losses, which included $150 million for the 'deterioration in the forward economic outlook' as it grapples with the impact of sweeping US tariffs. This helped to push its pre-tax profits for the period down to $9.5 billion from $12.65 billion a year earlier, when it had enjoyed a one-off gain from the sale of its Canadian business. While this was better than the $7.8 billion predicted by City analysts, HSBC cautioned that it could book a further
Times
29-04-2025
- Times
HSBC boss to face questions over exposure to China
The boss of HSBC is set to be questioned by the City next week on the fallout on the Asia-focused bank from President Trump's trade war with China when the FTSE 100 lender reports first-quarter results. Shares in the London-based bank, which counts Hong Kong as its biggest market, fell sharply in the wider market sell-off this month as global equities tumbled amid investor fears about the economic impact of the tit-for-tat tariffs imposed by Washington and Beijing. The growing friction between the world's two biggest economies poses a threat to HSBC because its business model revolves around acting as a bridge for trade and money flows between East and West and it has been tilting its operations further towards China, and Asia more broadly,
