Semua House Refurbishment

The refurbishment of Semua House gives new life to an existing shopping mall within the busy commercial neighbourhood of Jalan Masjid India, Kuala Lumpur. Covering four levels the project works closely with the original building structure while introducing a new spatial experience for the mall.

At the heart of the design is a large central atrium, created by carving through the existing floor plates. This new urban void opens up all four levels and becomes the main organising space of the refurbishment. Rather than treating each floor as a separate retail level, the atrium brings them together through visual connections, movement and activity.

The opening also changes how visitors experience the existing building. Views across and between floors make the interior easier to understand and navigate, while the edges of the atrium become active spaces for circulation, retail and gathering. The result is a more open and connected environment within what was previously a deep and enclosed building block.

Retaining the original structure was an important part of the design approach. Instead of rebuilding from the ground up, the project works within the limitations of the existing columns, floor plates and building fabric. New interventions are carefully inserted around these existing elements, allowing the character of the original building to remain visible while adapting it for a new generation of users.

The refurbishment also responds to the surrounding Jalan Masjid India context, known for its dense pedestrian activity, street commerce and strong local identity. Rather than separating the mall from this setting, the design draws on the energy of the neighbourhood and brings it into the building. Through a simple act of subtraction, the new atrium transforms Semua House from within and creating openness within the existing structure while maintaining its connection to the surrounding city.

Project Type: Retail / Shopping Mall Refurbishment

Status: Completed (December 2023)

Scope: Refurbishment / Adpative Reuse