鮮明色彩、幾何語彙與彈性多功能的空間配置,Dare Solution 翻玩一場關於文化傳承的實驗:lyf Georgetown Penang 飯店

 

Photo by 細節 xij 

 
 

酒吧作為社交場域,始終是人們放鬆、聚會與靠近彼此的所在。那裡上演著城市最為華麗而喧鬧的一面,也盛裝著悲傷與獨嘆。人們在這裡交換故事。離席之後,這些片段便隨風飄散,鑲進建築的記憶。

lyf Georgetown Penang 是國際旅宿品牌 lyf 首度落腳馬來西亞的據點。基地位於檳城喬治市,一棟前身為 90 年代熱鬧酒吧的老建築。強調創新與活力的 lyf 品牌,希望打造一座融合共享、社群互動與在地文化的飯店空間。從夜生活的舞台,到鼓勵共創與交流的旅宿提案,這棟建築經歷的不只是用途的轉變,更是時間、空間與社會互動模式的再組合。

 
 
  • Bars have long served as spaces for connection. They are places to unwind, to gather, and to draw closer. These are the settings where a city’s most flamboyant scenes unfold, but also where quiet sorrow and solitude take shape. Stories are exchanged, and once the night ends, they scatter like smoke and settle into the memory of the building.

    lyf Georgetown Penang is the brand’s first outpost in Malaysia. Located in George Town, Penang, the hotel occupies a former 1990s bar that once pulsed with nightlife. True to lyf’s identity, the space now champions innovation, shared living, and community interaction. More than a change in function, the building reflects a shift in how time, space, and social encounters are brought together. From a venue for nightlife to a place for co-creation and exchange, its transformation captures a new way of inhabiting a city.

 
 

Photo by Hey!Cheese

 
 

當地設計團隊 Dare Solution 在設計初期便著手思考,如何在保留歷史底蘊的同時,注入年輕、彈性與趣味性的語彙,讓品牌精神與城市脈絡重新嵌合,同時 lyf Georgetown Penang 在檳城的旅宿版圖,成為標誌性的存在,孕育屬於當代的共聚方式在此發生。

 
 
  • From the outset, local design studio Dare Solution set out to explore how youthful energy, flexibility, and a sense of play could be woven into a space that still honors its historical roots. The goal was to create a dialogue between lyf’s brand identity and the city’s cultural fabric, allowing the two to merge in a way that feels both fresh and grounded. In doing so, lyf Georgetown Penang has emerged as a defining presence in Penang’s hospitality landscape, offering a new model of communal living shaped by the spirit of contemporary connection.

 
 

Photo by 細節 xij 

 
 

Photo by 細節 xij 

 
 

歷史建築的保留與轉譯



這棟建築的歷史最早可追溯至英國殖民時期,作為車庫使用。當時的公共建築與商用設施,常融入 20 世紀初期盛行的 Art Deco 語彙,例如幾何構圖、對稱立面與裝飾性線條。這些元素除了展現工業化初期的建築技術,也映照該年代對「現代性」的想像與追求。

作為檳城老城區的一部分,建築本身保留了典型殖民時期常見的紅磚與 Art Deco 特點,象徵城市歷史紋理的一環。Dare Solution 解釋,「我們選擇保留具有年代感的建築細節與外牆立面,並在與建築師的合作下,於客房樓層引入現代設計的形式,融入紅磚元素,透過顏色、材質與家具配置來導入新的空間語言,使整體呈現出新舊共融的張力與對話。」

 
 
  • The building dates back to the British colonial era, when it originally functioned as a garage. Public and commercial structures from that time often embraced the Art Deco vocabulary that defined early 20th-century architecture. Geometric compositions, symmetrical façades, and ornamental lines not only showcased emerging industrial construction techniques, but also embodied a broader fascination with modernity and progress.

    Situated in the heart of George Town’s historic district, the building still carries the hallmarks of colonial architecture, including exposed red brickwork and refined Art Deco detailing. These features contribute to the layered architectural memory of the city. “We chose to preserve the original façade and timeworn features,” says Dare Solution. “Working closely with the architect, we introduced modern forms on the upper guestroom levels, incorporating red brick references throughout. Through careful use of color, material, and furniture, we aimed to establish a new spatial language that invites a conversation between past and present.

 
 

Photo by Hey!Cheese

Photo by Hey!Cheese

 
 

他們將這些被時間積澱下來的線索,視為串聯過去與現代的發展起點,也是設計內容的敘事根基。設計師進一步說明:「與其採用 Art Deco 那些線條鮮明、造型強烈與奢華色彩的設計風格,我們選擇將幾何形狀修飾得更加圓潤柔和,並搭配活潑鮮明的色彩,藉此營造一種輕鬆卻具有對比張力的視覺效果。」

從場域的歷史背景出發,Dare Solution 重新思考空間的開放、交流性與識別性,試圖讓這棟老建築變得更親近,轉為鼓勵探索、交流與生活感的社交節點,與旅人建立新的關係和體驗。

 
 
  • These architectural traces, shaped by time, were treated as a foundation for the design narrative—a starting point that bridges the past and the present. “Rather than adopting the bold lines, strong forms, and lavish palette typical of Art Deco,” the designer explains, “we chose to soften the geometry and pair it with vibrant, playful colors. This approach creates a relaxed atmosphere while introducing a subtle sense of visual tension through contrast.”

    Grounded in the site’s historical context, Dare Solution reimagined the space in terms of openness, interaction, and identity. Their aim was to make the building more approachable, transforming it into a social anchor that invites exploration, connection, and a lived-in sense of place. It is a space designed not only for staying, but for encountering new relationships and shared experiences.

 
 

Photo by 細節 xij 

 
 

強化社交互動的公共空間規劃



「要如何讓來自不同背景的旅人,不需刻意破冰就能自然互動」,是這次設計的首要命題。延續往昔「人與人相遇」的場景,Dare Solution 把社群共享的理念,轉化成空間行為的驅動力。

「lyf 強調共享與社群互動。在動線規劃與公共空間的安排上,我們將主要動線與社交空間串聯在一起。」室內空間進行大幅度的開展與再組構。設計團隊拆解原本封閉的格局,導入開放式配置與共享型機能場域,讓今日的 lyf Georgetown Penang 將公共空間當作核心,以更輕盈多變的方式,重新建構內部的佈局與交流想像,也更貼近當代旅宿對於彈性使用與多元互動的需求。

 
 
  • The central question driving the design was simple yet essential: How can travelers from different backgrounds connect naturally, without the need for deliberate icebreakers? Drawing from the building’s past as a space for social encounters, Dare Solution translated the spirit of community into a spatial strategy rooted in shared behavior.

    lyf places a strong emphasis on shared living and community interaction. In response, we linked the circulation routes directly with social spaces,” the designers explain. The original layout was reconfigured to support this intent. Enclosed rooms were opened up, and shared functional zones were introduced to foster more fluid movement and casual exchange. The result is a spatial framework that places communal areas at the heart of the hotel, supporting an environment shaped by openness, flexibility, and the evolving expectations of contemporary travelers.

 
 

Photo by 細節 xij 

 
 
從街道走進裡頭,旅人不再經過制式的接待櫃檯,而是穿越一片開放式的迎賓交流區。視線所及,是一張張可移動的模組家具、自由串連的共享桌面、以圓角與色塊交錯劃分的地坪。這些結構讓不同的行為自然交會 —— 有人坐下休息、有人專注於筆電螢幕,更多人則在共享廚房交換食材與旅行經驗。

 
 
  • Rather than encountering a conventional front desk, guests enter through an open welcome zone designed to encourage informal interaction. Within view are movable modular seats, communal tables that connect across the room, and flooring defined by curved edges and vibrant blocks of color. These elements set the tone for spontaneous encounters. Some guests pause to rest, others focus quietly on their laptops, while many gather in the shared kitchen to exchange ingredients and stories from their travels.

 
 

Photo by 細節 xij 

Photo by 細節 xij 

 
 

公共場域運用簡潔而活潑的命名系統貫穿整體:Bond 是共享廚房,Burn 是健身房,Dip 是戶外泳池,Connect 則是供工作與社交共用的空間。每一個名字形同一種邀請,邀請人們移動、逗留、參與。—連串具流動感的軸線與平面,透過色彩、家具模組與軟性隔間,如摺疊滑門與可移動家具的配置,讓空間自由轉換公共與私密界線。

過去那種以牆面切割功能的空間邏輯被打破,取而代之的是模糊而流動的界線。工作、社交、飲食與休息交織在同一空間,形塑一種屬於當代旅人,尤其是創作者、遠端工作者與長住型背包客,所渴望的混合生活場景。

這些區域的存在,使 lyf Georgetown 呼應檳城本身具備的多元文化與開放性格,它在城市中不再只是「提供住宿」的場所,而是一個活躍的社群聚集地,替未來的城市旅宿型態,提供新穎的參照模型。

 
 
  • The hotel’s public spaces are organized through a playful yet intuitive naming system that runs throughout the property. Bond is the shared kitchen, Burn the gym, Dip the outdoor pool, and Connect the flexible space for both work and social interaction. Each name functions as an open invitation, encouraging people to move, pause, and take part. A series of fluid spatial axes and floorplans, defined by color accents, modular furniture, and soft partitions such as folding screens and movable pieces, allows the space to shift easily between public and private uses.

    Instead of rigid walls dividing functions, the design embraces blurred boundaries and seamless transitions. Work, socializing, dining, and rest coexist within the same zones, shaping a hybrid lifestyle that speaks directly to contemporary travelers, especially creatives, digital nomads, and long-stay backpackers. These shared areas reflect the cultural diversity and openness of Penang itself. More than a place to stay, lyf Georgetown has become an active social hub and a fresh model for the future of urban hospitality.

 
 

Photo by 細節 xij 

 
 

Photo by 細節 xij 

 
 

Photo by 細節 xij 

 
 

引入在地文化元素與色彩



色彩是 lyf Georgetown 串連品牌語言與在地文化的重要手法。橙色是 lyf 品牌挑選的主色。延續這樣的思維,Dare Solution 透過鮮活的色彩與幾何視覺的置入,將品牌活潑的調性轉譯進空間,散放出一種輕鬆不設限的青春感,打破世人對歷史建築較為沈著的既定印象。

而在地元素的呈現上,設計師談及,「我們採用殖民時期常見的馬賽克圖案、紅磚牆面與戶外空間的融合手法,並從本地常見的 Art Deco 建築中汲取靈感,轉化為壁面裝飾、家具設計或空間指示語言的一部分。同時也設計了許多具有「打卡」視覺效果的角落(Instagrammable  Corners),確保在設計美感與文化尊重之間取得平衡。」

強烈的視覺張力與在地文化符號,直覺顯化為社群時代下的記憶點。不僅回應趨勢的需求,也串連 lyf 品牌一貫的遊戲與幽默感。

旅人在這裡,找到另一種與檳城文化風景建立連結的方式。

 
 
  • Color plays a key role in bridging lyf Georgetown’s brand identity with the local context. Orange, the brand’s signature hue, sets the tone. Building on this foundation, Dare Solution infused the interior with vibrant colors and geometric graphics to translate lyf’s playful spirit into spatial form. The result is a lighthearted, youthful energy that challenges conventional perceptions of heritage buildings as reserved or solemn.

    Speaking about the incorporation of local elements, the designers note, “We referenced mosaic patterns and red brick walls that were commonly seen during the colonial era, as well as strategies for blending indoor and outdoor space. Inspiration was also drawn from Penang’s Art Deco architecture, which informed our wall finishes, furniture details, and wayfinding language. At the same time, we created several Instagrammable corners to strike a balance between visual impact and cultural sensitivity.

    This strong visual identity, paired with local cultural symbols, creates instant moments of recognition in a social media age. It responds to current trends while reinforcing lyf’s playful and irreverent tone. In this space, travelers discover a new way to connect with the visual and cultural landscape of Penang.

 
 

Photo by 細節 xij 

 
 

Photo by 細節 xij 

 
 

從再利用到共享,表述與時間對話的理念



「永續設計是一個綜合性的概念,不僅關乎材料與工法,更關鍵的是空間能否隨時間持續被使用與珍惜。」實際上,透過建築再利用,而非拆除重建的方式,本身就是一種高度具備永續概念的體現。不僅減少拆除重建帶來的資源浪費,也保留了城市記憶與文化遺產。

 
 
  • Sustainable design is a holistic concept. It is not only about materials and construction methods, but also about whether a space can continue to be used, valued, and cared for over time.” In practice, the decision to repurpose an existing building rather than demolish and rebuild is already a strong expression of sustainability. It reduces resource consumption and construction waste, while preserving the city’s memory and cultural heritage.

 
 

Photo by 細節 xij 

Photo by 細節 xij 

 
 

對 Dare Solution 而言,他們除了強調與自然結合,達到節能減碳的效果之外,更重要的是空間與使用者之間,能否建立長期的連結,以及空間是否隨著使用需求調整與延伸,進而延長使用週期,實踐真正的永續。

建築中央的天井設計,源自檳城殖民時期老屋的傳統語彙。設計團隊延續這項特色,將其轉化為當代空間的通風與採光策略,每間客房都能自然引入日光,並在炎熱氣候中保持舒適與節能。材料使用上, Dare Solution 則盡量選擇耐用、可回收或能在地取得的建材,藉此降低建築的碳足跡。並且運用彈性和模組化的規劃,以達到提升空間的使用效率與周期。

另外,像 lyf 這樣主打社群共享與彈性使用的飯店模式,某種程度也是一種社會層面的永續實踐。它減少空間閒置、促進資源共享,並強化住客與當地社群之間的接觸,讓空間不只服務個體,創造出超越住宿功能的社會網絡。

 
 
  • For Dare Solution, sustainability is not only about materials or carbon reduction. It is also about whether a space can remain meaningful over time. By adapting to users’ evolving needs, a place becomes more likely to be used, cherished, and sustained.

    The central courtyard, inspired by Penang’s colonial-era shophouses, supports passive ventilation and daylighting throughout the hotel. Each room receives natural light and stays cool in the tropical climate. Durable, locally sourced, and recyclable materials were selected to reduce the building’s carbon footprint, while modular planning supports long-term flexibility.

    At the social level, lyf’s co-living model reinforces a broader idea of sustainability. It minimizes underused space, encourages shared resources, and fosters local connection. Here, hospitality becomes a way to live together—with the city, the space, and each other.

 
 

Photo by 細節 xij 

 
 

Photo by 細節 xij 

 
 

Photo by 細節 xij 

 
 


" Design that focuses on people and engages in a dialogue with the local culture "


 
 

一場關於文化傳承的實驗



「設計應該回應使用者的生活方式,同時尊重每個場域獨特的文化脈絡。」Dare Solution 包容且寬廣的設計觀點,完整體現在 lyf Georgetown Penang 的設計過程。他們始終將使用者置於核心考量,專注於場域中的流動與互動,並保持中性的態度,嘗試打開城市與人之間的溝通方式,來實現「歷史延續與創新並存」的設計理念。

如此,才能有效地促成更深層次的連結與共鳴,最終凝聚為城市中一段新的集體記憶。

而令人感動的是,這樣的記憶,正在這座城市中,繼續發生。

 
 
  • Dare Solution’s inclusive and open design philosophy is fully reflected in the making of lyf Georgetown Penang. Users remain at the center of every decision, with a focus on movement, interaction, and spatial neutrality. By creating space for dialogue between people and the city, the team pursues a vision where heritage and innovation can coexist.

    This approach allows for deeper connection and resonance, gradually forming a new layer of collective memory within the urban fabric.

    What moves us most is that this memory is still unfolding, here in the heart of the city.

 
 

Photo by 細節 xij 

 
 

Photo by 細節 xij 

 
 

Photo by 細節 xij 

 
 
lyf Georgetown Penang ADD:No.2A, Jln Penang, Seksyen 14, 10000 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
TEL:+60 4-373 9910
WEB:Book a Room

 
 

Photo credit/ 細節 xij Hey!Cheese
Interview、Text/ ChichiL

 

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