Penang Night Shelter
Location: Penang
Year: 2023
Project Type: Institutional / Social Impact
Awards: •PAM Awards 2024 – Silver, Adaptive Reuse & SDG Categories
•The Edge Malaysia – PAM Green Excellence Award 2024
•The Edge Malaysia – PAM Green Excellence Award 2024
Project Overview
The Penang Night Shelter is a community-driven facility dedicated to providing temporary shelter for the homeless in George Town. Designed with sustainability and dignity in mind, the project balances privacy, comfort, and natural ventilation, creating a safe and welcoming environment. The architectural design reimagines an existing structure, converting it into a multi-functional space with minimal environmental impact.
Led by Johnny Ooi Architect, the design embraces passive design strategies and a modular layout that allows flexibility, natural airflow, and daylight penetration. It was commissioned by the Penang State Government, developed by Aspen Vision Development, and constructed under a CSR initiative.
The Penang Night Shelter is a community-driven facility dedicated to providing temporary shelter for the homeless in George Town. Designed with sustainability and dignity in mind, the project balances privacy, comfort, and natural ventilation, creating a safe and welcoming environment. The architectural design reimagines an existing structure, converting it into a multi-functional space with minimal environmental impact.
Led by Johnny Ooi Architect, the design embraces passive design strategies and a modular layout that allows flexibility, natural airflow, and daylight penetration. It was commissioned by the Penang State Government, developed by Aspen Vision Development, and constructed under a CSR initiative.
Use of PBM Ventilation Blocks
PBM’s VB 3914.100 blocks form a key architectural feature on the building façade, applied in a vertical orientation to promote air circulation while preserving visual privacy. Their rhythmic, textured layout contributes to the building’s tropical-modernist expression and sustainability goals.
Additionally, VB 402.125 blocks are creatively repurposed as part of custom-built outdoor benches located in the small garden in front of the shelter—showcasing PBM’s product adaptability beyond façade use.
PBM’s VB 3914.100 blocks form a key architectural feature on the building façade, applied in a vertical orientation to promote air circulation while preserving visual privacy. Their rhythmic, textured layout contributes to the building’s tropical-modernist expression and sustainability goals.
Additionally, VB 402.125 blocks are creatively repurposed as part of custom-built outdoor benches located in the small garden in front of the shelter—showcasing PBM’s product adaptability beyond façade use.
PBM products featured:
'A thoughtful adaptive reuse project that restores dignity and provides sustainable refuge through honest materials and climate-responsive design.'
