While historic buildings make Georgetown the colourful, postcard-perfect UNESCO World Heritage Site, a homogeneity blankets over newer developments outside of Penang’s inner city. It is in this landscape that G Hotel Kelawai aspires to be a more contemporary, outspoken expression of its time and place.
The building’s outward chiaroscuro—of darkened recesses and white striae—is both an image-making and environmental device. Overhangs, vertical shields and control of windows make a tripartite system that radically cuts heat gain, reducing the energy and cost of keeping the 208-room hotel cool in Penang’s relentless sun.