Architect Shin Chang revitalizes Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown through heritage design

Malaysian architect Shin Chang is restoring the cultural life of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown by repurposing historic buildings into community hubs.

Chang, who grew up in the neighborhood, observed its decline from the late 1980s to the early 2000s as businesses moved to suburbs like Cheras. He founded Mentahmatter Design in 2013 with Penny Ng to address the emptiness of the area, specifically aiming to preserve the architectural heritage of the district.

In 2016, Chang and Ng opened ChoCha Foodstore in a 1920s shophouse on Petaling Street. The project focused on keeping original features like mosaic floors and metal window grilles while serving local flavors. Although the business initially struggled due to a lack of experience and public doubt, it eventually attracted long queues of visitors. This success served as a proof of concept that old buildings could be adapted for contemporary use without losing their character.

By 2019, Chang and his partners transformed the former Rex Cinema into REXKL, a community hub for arts and culture. The project retained unpainted concrete pillars and exposed roof trusses while housing a maze-like BookXcess bookstore and several artisanal shops. Chang uses these spaces as platforms to foster human interaction rather than just architectural displays. He plans to explore co-living programs to eventually bring residents back to the area.