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Macalister Mansion,  | International Design Awards Winners
Macalister Mansion,  | International Design Awards Winners
Macalister Mansion,  | International Design Awards Winners
Macalister Mansion,  | International Design Awards Winners
Macalister Mansion,  | International Design Awards Winners
Macalister Mansion,  | International Design Awards Winners
Macalister Mansion,  | International Design Awards Winners
Macalister Mansion,  | International Design Awards Winners
Macalister Mansion,  | International Design Awards Winners
Macalister Mansion,  | International Design Awards Winners
Macalister Mansion,  | International Design Awards Winners

Macalister Mansion

Lead DesignersColin Seah
Prize(s)Honorable Mention
Project LinkView
Entry Description

Designed and branded as a lifestyle oriented 'residence', Macalister Mansion consisting of 5 F&B entities and 8 hotel rooms, has been conceived with a single holistic vision by Ministry of Design based in Singapore.

Housed in a 100-year-old historic mansion in Penang, Macalister Mansion is conceptualized as a quirky and sophisticated lifestyle destination where guests are treated to a series of experiences similar to an actual home’s hospitality. Each entity is enjoyed as part of the overall experience but branded as distinct rooms typically found in a mansion - Dining room, Den, Bagan Bar, Living room, Lawn and Eight rooms.

The name “Macalister Mansion” honours Penang's British Governor Colonel Norman Macalister and there are numerous references to this historic figure captured in specially- commissioned installation-art pieces throughout the grounds.

Set against the backdrop of a conserved mansion, the heritage spaces have been carefully adapted and key features infused with contemporary design, striking a good balance between the nostalgia of the past and a vision of relevance for the future. Major infrastructural work was required to restore a colonial mansion, e.g. retaining and reinforcing original columns, staircases, archways; removing plaster to reveal original brick walls and wall cornices; repairing and soundproofing original windows for contemporary hospitality use. As an extension of the grounds, Colin and his team also designed an event lawn where large-scaled parties can be hosted. Beside the lawn is a mosaic lap pool with a feature sunken ‘swim-up’ pool bar at one end. Guests of the hotel also enjoy additional gym and computer lounge & library.

Ministry of Design also designed the logos, collateral and menus for all F&Bs and rooms, art-directed the uniforms, and collaborated with the client to curate the artwork.

Macalister Mansion has been listed on Conde Nast’s and Travel & Leisure’s “Best New Hotels 2013” lists.

Bio

Question, Disturb and Redefine!
Through a series of architectural & interior architectural explorations, Ministry of Design is positioned as an integrated spatial-design practice that consciously blurs prevalent intellectual & literal boundaries between interior space & exterior form. Acknowledging the limitations of these distinctions on our design process, Ministry of Design's explorations are created amidst a democratic "studio-like" atmosphere and progress seamlessly between form, site, object and space.