“Opportunistic gesture with sensitive detailing that differentiates it from other showrooms.”

– PAM Awards 2011 jury citation, Gold in Showroom

This project is located along Rock Road, one of the oldest trunk roads leading out of Kuching, named after a nearby rock formation. Our design was a reaction against the usual steel-framed showroom, which could seem a little fragile and impermanent. The site called for a building with size and mass that harmonized with the surrounding area.

The building’s form is derived from the local building setback requirements and the desire to elevate the ‘showcase’ for improved visibility. We employed a limited palette of local building materials to manage costs and explore concepts, such as the ‘shiplap’ external cement render and vent-block walls.

The result is a more sustainable building that not only utilizes local materials but also incorporates local craftsmanship and skills, thereby maximizing the effectiveness of our design.