Jiu Garden

Lab Two Design

Short description

"Jiù Garden", located in Auto City, Penang, is a transformation of a once-vacant lot into a unique outdoor dining and leisure space that reflects a strong sense of history and environmental consciousness. The name “Jiù” (旧), meaning “old” in Chinese, symbolizes the core design philosophy—breathing new life into discarded materials.

Entrance Design
Facing a parking lot, the entrance was designed to overcome visual obstructions with a tall archway made from discarded scaffolding. It’s adorned with repurposed signage letters, scrap metal, and old machinery parts, offering a distinct industrial charm. The word “Jiu 旧” is creatively spelled using recycled plastic bottles, illuminated with smart color-changing LED lights, making it a vibrant landmark both day and night.

Dining Area
The dining space includes four uniquely designed stalls and seating areas surrounded by greenery, improving air quality and enhancing the open-air atmosphere. Brightly colored tables and chairs made from recycled materials foster a cheerful and welcoming environment. Decorative elements such as reclaimed wood art, metal sculptures, and repurposed furniture add layers of visual and cultural depth, blending functionality with artistic expression.

Stall Designs
Each stall is crafted with its own character, using mostly salvaged materials:

Dong Bei Tiao: Built on discarded wheel rims with walls of reused grating and corrugated sheets. The window counter is made from rusty zinc, and lighting fixtures are made from soda cans and repurposed lamp shades. The sign is assembled from Coca-Cola cans for a playful industrial look.

Yugumi Yogurt: Features rusted corrugated iron walls painted with bright stripes. A nostalgic retractable gate protects the ordering window, while the counter is zinc-topped. The door handle is crafted from an old shovel handle, and the signage is formed from discarded iron sheets.

Ah Bing Gor: Constructed using grating and zinc sheets with irregular painted textures. The stall includes louvered ventilation windows and a sign made from oil drums and garbage lids, with coat hangers used to form the lettering, showcasing a handcrafted artistic flair.

2 Botol: Built with oil drums and grating panels, accented with small discarded wheels. The roof is made of aged corrugated sheets, with ventilation provided by folding and “kampung glass” louver windows. Its door is made from an old signboard, and lighting features vintage Edison bulbs. The sign incorporates barrel parts and internal lighting, reinforcing its retro-industrial aesthetic.

Photo Spot
A major visual attraction is the 6-meter-high photo zone created using discarded scaffolding, iron pipes, signage, and grating panels sourced from the Auto City warehouse. The installation spells out "Art in D'Park" with reused iron pipes, lit by colorful LED fixtures, offering visitors a unique and share-worthy experience.

Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility
"Jiù Garden" is more than a dining destination—it’s a model of sustainable design. Nearly all construction materials are upcycled from waste, turning discarded items into useful and aesthetic components. This not only reduces environmental impact but also raises public awareness about reuse and recycling. By shifting all activity outdoors, the project also addresses health concerns related to enclosed spaces and ventilation. Utilizing natural breezes instead of air conditioning reduces electricity consumption and supports a low-carbon lifestyle.

Through creativity, resourcefulness, and environmental responsibility, "Jiù Garden" offers an engaging, refreshing space that celebrates old materials and new ideas in a vibrant, open-air setting.