REKAYA

Design is a work of art by itself. For some designers, it is very subjective while for others it’s a bit influential. As a designer, I prefer a mix of both and as an international student in Malaysia, the cultural diversity and the harmonious blend of different races has really fascinated me. In Bangladesh where I come from, cultural identity is something very dear to our hearts. And that is the driving inspiration for me to conceive Rekaya; a visitor centre on reviving the cultural identity of Malaysia.

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Rekaya implies “designing richness”. Derived from 2 Malay words; ‘Reka’ means design and ‘Kaya’ is rich. Together they fulfill the objectives of this visitor centre; a physical manifestation of Malaysia’s rich and diverse culture. Located along Jalan Tun H. S Lee, a street that was once a booming business hub and home to the Chinese immigrants into Kuala Lumpur but sadly due to urbanization and negligence, the past is lost and that same street is now a street-market selling counterfeit items.

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Rekaya Visitor Centre aims to revive the cultural identity and rekindle the locals’ interest and appreciation while promoting Malaysia as a multi-cultural destination. The harmony of Malaysian Gastronomy, Arts, Sports, and History are brought together and set in a tropical Biophilic rain forest backdrop. Through adaptive reuse of traditional Chinese shophouses and sustainable design ideas, Rekaya provides visitors the opportunity to explore, experience and indulge into the fascinating “Taste of Truly Asia; Malaysia”