Rumah Kechik: Small in Name, Monumental in Meaning
Rumah Kechik, which translates to “small house,” traditionally refers to a modest outbuilding designed to support the functions of a main residence. True to its name, it functions as an extension of Baba House Melaka, adapting three 200-year-old shophouses categorized as a UNESCO Heritage building to house a hotel restaurant, a gym, and a function room.
After years of possibly housing various offices, the façade was carefully restored to its original state by Kaizen Architecture, allowing the three shophouses to read as a single, unified presence.
The availability of similar roof tiles from local vendors made it possible to preserve the continuity of the original fabric, including those along the five-foot walkway. Meanwhile, the original roof tiles were carefully kept for repurposing after being replaced.
While a few heavily damaged timber beams were replaced with new solid timber, a thoughtfully curated steel framework was reinforced to quietly support the new programmatic requirements.
During early site visits, the architect observed the absence of an internal courtyard typical of shophouse typology, inspiring the reintroduction of a double-height courtyard at the entrance, a dramatic and welcoming arrival, made possible with the support of the steel framework.
Upon entering the lobby, visitors are drawn to a striking feature wall in the lounge area. Rooted in the concept of a “house,” the wall is crafted from repurposed roof tiles set upon a custom steel-frame substructure.
The warm tones of the original clay roof tiles blend with the exposed brick walls, giving the space a unified feel.
The architect left the brickwork exposed to “let it breathe,” as the porous bricks sit on a high water table and actively absorbing moisture. Applying paint or tiles directly would cause deterioration. To reveal the unique character of each brick, the existing cement plaster layer had to be manually chipped away.
Most of the materials were sourced locally, reducing both carbon footprint and logistical impact. Among them, the terracotta breeze blocks give the space a tangible connection to the heritage of local shophouses.
Rather than applying the locally made Peranakan tiles uniformly across the floor, they are strategically deployed to define zones within the open plan, functioning as patterned carpets embedded into the flooring.
These tiled areas are framed with pebble wash borders, creating a subtle transition between spaces while enriching the floor with layered texture and material contrast.
Moving through the linearly arranged layout from the lobby to the lounge, one is guided toward the rear of the building, where the space opens up to an existing open courtyard.
The garden in the open courtyard enhances the veranda patio seating of the restaurant, providing family guests with a gentle connection to natural elements while offering children a playful space to explore.
The original well has been thoughtfully preserved and restored, becoming both a defining feature of the courtyard and a point of curiosity that invites young visitors to discover and engage with the space.
Above the veranda patio runs a veranda corridor that links all three shophouses through openings in the party walls. The openings are created with simple concrete lintels integrated into the existing brickwork.
The movable timber sun-shading screens line the corridor, offering shade while reimagining the traditional shutter windows in a contemporary form. These locally crafted screens bring a quiet reference to shophouse heritage, allowing dappled light and shifting shadows to animate the interior as guests move through the space.
As the sun sets, Rumah Kechik’s ambience gently shifts, revealing a new mood for guests. Kaizen Architecture emphasizes the role of lighting in shaping spatial experience, particularly in restaurants.
Warm lighting enhances the natural textures and hues of the space, while select custom and indirect lights remain on in the evening, softening the overall illumination to create an intimate, refined atmosphere. Each table is illuminated by locally woven feature lights, highlighting the food and adding a tactile, artisanal touch to the dining experience.
Layout Plan
| Location | Melaka |
| Area | 480 sqm |
| Year | 2024 |
| Design Studio | Kaizen Architecture |
| Photographer | Finbarr Fallon |
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