Merchant's Lane

Merchant's Lane

Merchant's Lane

Set in an almost 100-year old shophouse in Chinatown, the former brothel left behind rich and textured narratives from the past.

category

F&B

location

Petaling Street

completed

October 2015

The persona for the new restaurant cum cafe was built upon the existing characteristics of the space, enriched with modern, neo-oriental nuances ala Wong Kar Wai. Its typical Malaysian shophouse typology is narrow in entry(7m) but long in depth (30m).

Divided into three portions lengthwise; the foyer for the dining section, the courtyard for outdoor dining and a back lounge for more exclusivity. A slit on the roof casts dramatic daylight, revealing layers of paint and textures on its party walls. Pairing unassuming materials like used paper tubes as lights against bespoke stainless steel tables, to repurposing floor boards and old steps as furniture, the space celebrates heritage and a rejuvenation to the otherwise dilapidated part of Chinatown.

The persona for the new restaurant cum cafe was built upon the existing characteristics of the space, enriched with modern, neo-oriental nuances ala Wong Kar Wai. Its typical Malaysian shophouse typology is narrow in entry(7m) but long in depth (30m).

Divided into three portions lengthwise; the foyer for the dining section, the courtyard for outdoor dining and a back lounge for more exclusivity. A slit on the roof casts dramatic daylight, revealing layers of paint and textures on its party walls. Pairing unassuming materials like used paper tubes as lights against bespoke stainless steel tables, to repurposing floor boards and old steps as furniture, the space celebrates heritage and a rejuvenation to the otherwise dilapidated part of Chinatown.

The persona for the new restaurant cum cafe was built upon the existing characteristics of the space, enriched with modern, neo-oriental nuances ala Wong Kar Wai. Its typical Malaysian shophouse typology is narrow in entry(7m) but long in depth (30m).

Divided into three portions lengthwise; the foyer for the dining section, the courtyard for outdoor dining and a back lounge for more exclusivity. A slit on the roof casts dramatic daylight, revealing layers of paint and textures on its party walls. Pairing unassuming materials like used paper tubes as lights against bespoke stainless steel tables, to repurposing floor boards and old steps as furniture, the space celebrates heritage and a rejuvenation to the otherwise dilapidated part of Chinatown.

contact

studio visit

by appointment only

art printing works (APW)

29, jalan riong, bangsar,

59100 kuala lumpur, malaysia

© POW Ideas Copyright 2026. All Rights Reserved.

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menu

powideas.co

spatial, innovation

and design

contact

studio visit

by appointment only

art printing works (APW)

29, jalan riong, bangsar,

59100 kuala lumpur, malaysia

© POW Ideas Copyright 2026. All Rights Reserved.

pow ka liou sdn. bhd. 201701037926(1252097-H)

no idea too small

contact

studio visit

by appointment only

art printing works

29, jalan riong, bangsar,

59100 kuala lumpur, malaysia

powideas.co

spatial, innovation

and design

© powideas copyright 2026. all rights reserved.

no idea
too small