[ 專訪 ]「不只是飯店，更是激發交流的微型聚點」與 ZT Studio 談檳城 Hotel Mokozoyo：如何融合當代表述與社群文化，演繹在地肌理與精神

我們總在旅行前花費不少心思挑選住處，尋找那些能體現城市性格與樣貌的旅店，藉此讓自己更貼近目的地的本質。特別是在一些文化輪廓鮮明的城市，飯店就宛如城市的縮影——作為地方如何被閱讀與感知的第一層接觸，內部每個微小細節，包含設計哲學、美學品味與待客之道，都在為旅人預告，並揭示出一地獨有的氣息與脈動。

而當這般直覺又私密的人文接點，落在充滿歷史記憶與文化積澱的檳城喬治市，設計本身便成為地方敘事的轉譯。

We often put great care into choosing where to stay, seeking hotels that reflect the spirit and texture of a city, and offer a deeper connection to its essence. In culturally rich destinations, a hotel becomes a microcosm of place. It offers the first touchpoint through which visitors begin to read and sense their surroundings. From design philosophy and aesthetic choices to gestures of hospitality, every detail reveals something of the city's unique rhythm.
In George Town, Penang, where history and culture are deeply layered, design takes on the role of storyteller. The hotel becomes not just a place to stay but a vessel for translating the narrative of place into lived experience.

    
        " Hotel Mokozoyo is conceived as a marriage of raw industrial character and the timeless charm of Penang’s heritage.  "
    

用當代形式轉化，重新詮釋檳城精神

Hotel Mokozoyo 坐落於喬治市的聯合國教科文組織（UNESCO) 世界遺產緩衝區，一塊充滿故事與文化層疊的土地上，飯店邀請當地設計團隊 ZT Studio 操刀策劃。回想起初次踏勘基地的情景，ZT Studio 分享：「那時周遭仍是一片空地。由於它特殊的地理位置和淵源背景，我們意識到，無論設計什麼，都必須根植於這裡的歷史脈絡。」

空間概念的發展，從客戶的童年記憶逐步延伸。ZT Studio 在設計初期深入了解他的成長背景—— 在喬治市長大、家族經營五金與建材生意的生長經驗，成為 Hotel Mokozoyo 最初的靈感線索，也帶領設計團隊塑造一處融合原始工業語彙與街區紋理的場域。

然而 ZT Studio 並未選擇復刻傳統樣貌，他們嘗試跳脫形式窠臼，尊重傳統之餘，用更現代、開放的口吻來詮釋。「我們認為直接複製會顯得不夠真實，因此選擇以抽象的材質運用作為表現，既構築當代空間，也重新詮釋檳城的歷史文化精神。」相較於表層的文化裝飾，他們更關注讓大眾能直覺感知的歷史肌理，避免設計淪為刻意的符號堆砌。

Hotel Mokozoyo is located within the UNESCO Heritage Buffer Zone in George Town, Penang — a site layered with history and cultural memory. To bring the project to life, the hotel turned to local design studio ZT Studio. Recalling their first encounter with the site, the designers shared, “When we first visited the site, it was an empty piece of land. Because of its unique location, we began by researching the history of the area. It became clear that whatever we designed had to be rooted in its heritage context.”
The design story began with the client’s childhood — growing up in George Town, where his family supplied hardware and building materials. That personal history became a key thread, shaping a spatial identity that blends industrial rawness with the texture of the neighborhood.
Rather than replicating traditional forms, ZT Studio took a contemporary and open approach.
Avoiding decorative nostalgia, the team focused on tactile materials and intuitive details. Through texture, contrast, and atmosphere, the design evokes Penang’s heritage in a way that feels both grounded and relevant.

    
        " Heritage is rich with details, but we felt direct replication would be inauthentic. Instead, we reinterpreted the spirit of Penang in abstract and material ways.  "
    

建築結構採用鍍鋅鋼、清水模與赤陶磚勾勒出粗獷的基底，搭配木材與古董家具的溫潤質地作為調和，同時設計團隊從在地建築的色彩配置汲取特點，鋪陳在地獨有的親和力與辨識性。「我們沿著走廊一路設置竹簾，呼應傳統店屋的立面印象，也兼具實際的遮陽功能。室內的黃赭色布料，則來自對老建築石灰洗牆面的觀察；訂製的耐候鋼花槽則會隨時間自然鏽化，留下歲月痕跡。」

另外，客房門上紅綠兩種主色，汲取舊建築常見的紅陶磚、綠釉通風磚與帶有花卉圖案的瓷磚。房間內部，運用木頭元素和棕色皮革等暖性色調，與周遭的冷調材質形構和諧的對比，在樸實與細緻之間取得平衡。

隨著時間流逝，質感愈加沈澱，建築與空間內部，將會顯現出更加動人的韻味。

Galvanized steel, fair-faced concrete, and terracotta tiles form the structural foundation of Hotel Mokozoyo, giving the space a raw and grounded presence. ZT Studio softened this material language with timber, antique furniture, and textiles. Drawing from Penang’s architectural heritage, they introduced color palettes that enhance the hotel’s sense of familiarity and local identity. “Bamboo blinds line the corridors, recalling traditional shophouse façades while serving as effective sun-shading devices. Upholstery in yellow ochre references the traditional limewash finishes of heritage walls, while custom Corten steel planter boxes age naturally over time, echoing the passage of time.”
The red and green tones on guest room doors were inspired by familiar local elements such as terracotta tiles, green glazed vents, and floral ceramic tiles. Inside, wood and brown leather bring warmth to the cooler palette of concrete and cement finishes. This interplay of materials creates a sense of balance between rustic texture and refined detail, allowing the building to evolve in character as time passes.

    
        " We deliberately avoided overly literal motifs, nostalgic replicas, or designs locked into a single historical style. We aimed for a general heritage sensibility that is accessible to both locals and travelers.   "
    

激發不同群體交流的 Community Hub

ZT Studio 形容 Hotel Mokozoyo 為一座介於旅店、文化平台與半公共節點之間的混合型場域。「對我們而言，Hotel Mokozoyo 不只是旅店，而是讓當地人也願意進來使用的社區聚點（Community Hub)。」這樣的想法同樣來自客戶的童年經驗。

從小在本地長大，他常和玩伴在家祠（clan houses / Kongsi）間穿梭、跑來跑去，鄰里間互動熱絡而頻繁；而在國外旅行的經驗中，他亦曾感受過以社群為導向的飯店模式，這使他強烈意識到，檳城也需要一處促進人與人連結的場所。「因為這裡還沒有任何一間旅店，提供社群為核心導向的空間體驗。」

ZT Studio describes Hotel Mokozoyo as a hybrid space that blends the functions of a hotel, a cultural platform, and a semi-public node. “To us, a community hub is a place where locals feel a sense of belonging, whether they are there to eat, drink, shop, enjoy music, or simply hang out.”
This idea was rooted in the client’s own upbringing. Having grown up in Penang, he often spent time running between clan houses, where daily interactions between neighbors were active and spontaneous. During his travels abroad, he experienced community-driven hotel concepts that offered more than just accommodation. Those experiences shaped his belief that Penang needed a space like this. “He felt strongly that Penang needed a place like this, since there were no hotels here that offered the same kind of community-oriented experience.”

要想打造真正與在地產生連結的聚點，第一步便是理解當地生活樣態與缺口。當時團隊自我提問：「當地人平常在休閒時間會做些什麼？我們缺乏哪些空間？」

沿著這樣的構想， ZT Studio 將 Hotel Mokozoyo 規劃為開放與私密交錯的多重層次結構。 一、二樓打開作為活動場域，結合了展演場地、咖啡廳、古物選品店與黑膠音樂酒吧，讓市集、市民活動與社交聚會能自然發生。樓上則保有旅店的私密機能，為賓客提供安靜放鬆的住宿體驗。力求在鼓勵在地參與與維持住宿品質之間，取得有效的平衡。

「社區聚點應是一處讓居民感到歸屬感，每個人可以輕鬆處於其中，同時也能遇見新朋友的地方。」ZT Studio 描繪著他們的想像，「希望大家自在進出，可能只是來用餐，卻偶然發現樓下有間古物店，最後又走進 Kool Kongsi 酒吧。」這樣的情景，呈現了設計團隊對空間能量的期待。不僅替周邊社區注入連結與創造力，更讓旅客以社區一份子的身分，真實感受檳城的在地風味。

To create a space that genuinely connects with the local community, ZT Studio began by asking a simple but essential question: “What do locals do in their free time, and what types of spaces are missing?”
With this in mind, Hotel Mokozoyo was conceived as a layered structure that blends openness and privacy. The ground and first floors are designed as public zones, accommodating exhibitions, a café, a vintage shop, and a vinyl listening bar. These spaces are intended to host weekend markets, social events, and casual gatherings. The upper floors, by contrast, are reserved for hotel guests, offering quiet rooms and a more private experience. This balance allows the hotel to support community engagement while maintaining the comfort of a well-functioning hospitality space.
They imagined a setting where someone might stop in for a meal, stumble upon a vintage shop downstairs, and later end up in the Kool Kongsi bar. For the designers, this kind of casual movement reflects the kind of energy they hoped the space would carry. It invites both locals and travelers to engage with Penang in a more immediate, personal way.

    
        " A community hub is also a space where people can meet new faces—locals and travelers alike. Most importantly, it serves the surrounding neighborhood as a gathering point for connection, collaboration, and new ideas to take shape.
 "

結合音樂文化與社群能量的 Kool Kongsi 酒吧

談到互動最頻繁的地方，設計師分享道，這些交流通常發生在 Kool Kongsi 裡。Kool Kongsi 是檳城第一家黑膠音樂酒吧，一開始 ZT Studio 聯合客戶與景觀設計夥伴 Sputnik Forest，深入拜訪當地的黑膠收藏家與 DJ，發現他們渴望有一個分享藏品、播放音樂、甚至只是坐下來好好聆聽的空間。取自傳統宗祠「邱公司（Khoo Kongsi）」意象的名稱，呼應馬來語中「Kool」對「酷」的諧音。自此，Kool Kongsi 便應運而生。

他們常看到當地人和鄰桌的旅客聊天，話題從討論 DJ 正在播放的曲目，延伸至口袋裡的美食地圖、甚至是觀光指南上不會出現的當地景點，「因音樂和對話而產生的交流時刻，正是我們期盼這個空間能促成的連結。」

When it comes to the most active point of interaction, the designers point to Kool Kongsi. As the first vinyl listening bar in Penang, Kool Kongsi emerged from early conversations between ZT Studio, the client, and their landscape partner Sputnik Forest. Together, they spoke with local vinyl collectors and DJs who expressed a desire for a space to share records, play music, and simply listen. The name draws from the traditional clan house “Khoo Kongsi,” with a playful nod to the Malay pronunciation of “Kool.”
They often observed locals striking up conversations with travelers at neighboring tables. What began as a chat about the music playing would often lead to food recommendations or tips on lesser-known spots around the city. “These moments of exchange, sparked by music and conversation, are exactly the kinds of connections we hoped the space would enable.”
Beyond the bar, the first floor was also designed as a flexible community platform. ZT Studio kept the central floorplate open, introducing a raised platform and trees in the double-height atrium. This area functions as informal seating and can also transform into a stage for small markets or live performances.

除了酒吧，Kool Kongsi 所在的一樓空間也被規劃為彈性使用的社群基地。ZT Studio 保留大面積開放地坪，中央挑空區設置平台與樹木，既可作為階梯座席，也能提供小型市集與現場演出的即興舞台。

被動式設計、植栽綠化和老件再利用

整體規劃從建築尺度著手，尋求能降低環境負擔的結構策略。走廊兩端設置挑高的中空區域，引導自然通風與降溫，減少對空調與機械系統的依賴。景觀設計夥伴 Sputnik Forest 亦在基地周邊與中庭導入熱帶植栽，打造層次豐富的綠帶系統。這些植栽不僅提供遮蔭與氣溫調節，也延伸空間的觸覺與呼吸感，使旅人在不同區域皆能感知微氣候的變化，讓自然成為整體體驗的一部分。

室內傢俱延續同樣理念。從公共區域到客房，團隊有系統地挑選並配置老件與古董家具，讓過去的材料重新被看見與使用，也具體展現設計與時間共存的可能，體現 ZT Studio 對於環境意識與空間韌性的長期承諾。

The design of Hotel Mokozoyo began with the architecture itself, guided by strategies to reduce environmental strain. At both ends of the corridors, double-height voids promote natural airflow and passive cooling, reducing the need for mechanical ventilation. Landscape partner Sputnik Forest introduced layers of tropical planting around the building and within the courtyard, creating shade and softening the temperature. As guests move through the space, they encounter subtle shifts in air, light, and humidity — reminders that nature is always present, and always part of the experience.
That same mindset carries into the interiors. Throughout the public spaces and guest rooms, the team repurposed vintage and antique furniture, extending the life of materials already in existence. Rather than viewing time as something to erase, ZT Studio embraces its presence — designing spaces that age with grace, and remain resilient in the face of change.

    
        " We hope Hotel Mokozoyo can spark more collaborations across music, art, retail, and lifestyle, becoming more than just a hotel. "
    

讓跨界對話持續迴繞的創想載體

「我們希望這裡能激發更多音樂、藝術、零售與生活方式之間的跨界合作，成為不只是飯店的存在，更是屬於每一個人的創意交流催化劑。從檳城開始，延伸到馬來西亞其他地方，並與更廣闊的世界建立連結。」 ZT Studio 分享。

Hotel Mokozoyo 從設計之初，便試圖撐開一種新的空間可能：歡迎各式各樣的人們進來，讓聲音、物件與文化的碰撞在此相遇、停留，激發出未曾設想的火花。它或許以住宿為起點，卻始終朝著更開放的方向推進。不設邊界，也不急於定義，而是隨著使用者與城市的互動一同成形。

我們想像，Mokozoyo 是一場持續進行的提案：關於地方、關於集體、也關於設計如何啟動新的串接與對話，在世界各地激起屬於它的回聲。

From the start, Hotel Mokozoyo set out to become something more than a hotel. It welcomes people from all walks of life and creates space for sounds, objects, and cultures to meet, pause, and spark unexpected exchange. It may have started with hospitality, but its identity keeps expanding. It is shaped by the people who use it and the city it belongs to.
Mokozoyo remains an ongoing proposal. It speaks to place, to community, and to the idea that design can open new ways of connecting. Each encounter leaves behind an echo that travels well beyond Penang.