The Starhill
A Renovation Awakes the Role Malls Play in City Memory
LOCATION
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
SIZE
28,500 sqm
DATE COMPLETED
2022
PHOTOGRAPHER
David Yeow
For the practice’s first major project in Southeast Asia, Kokaistudios undertook an interior and exterior redesign and renovation of The Starhill shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur, right in the heart of KL’s famous shopping belt Bukit Bintang. By injecting welcomed daylight into the interior space and further diversifying its functional mix, the iconic mall has been rejuvenated and opened-up for a new chapter.
For the practice’s first major project in Southeast Asia, Kokaistudios undertook an interior and exterior redesign and renovation of The Starhill shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur, right in the heart of KL’s famous shopping belt Bukit Bintang. By injecting welcomed daylight into the interior space and further diversifying its functional mix, the iconic mall has been rejuvenated and opened-up for a new chapter.
The Starhill sits at the convergence of two main thoroughfares – Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Gading. In order to weave the mall more closely into its urban fabric, Kokaistudios applied distinct approaches to its north and west-facing sides, while preserving its striking visual identity. The lower part of the mall’s previously all-encompassing angular shell has been removed, making the mall’s luxury anchor tenants visible from the Jalan Bukit Bintang side. Meanwhile, street-facing F&B outlets on the western side lend themselves to the foot traffic on the narrow pathway of Jalan Gading.
The Starhill sits at the convergence of two main thoroughfares – Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Gading. In order to weave the mall more closely into its urban fabric, Kokaistudios applied distinct approaches to its north and west-facing sides, while preserving its striking visual identity. The lower part of the mall’s previously all-encompassing angular shell has been removed, making the mall’s luxury anchor tenants visible from the Jalan Bukit Bintang side. Meanwhile, street-facing F&B outlets on the western side lend themselves to the foot traffic on the narrow pathway of Jalan Gading.
At the mall’s primary entrance, an open space for pop-up shops is flanked by escalators transporting shoppers to the upper ground floor and delivering views into both spaces. To the right of the airy entrance foyer is an additional escalator connecting directly to a first floor open-concept space, currently home to the iconic lifestyle bookstore - Eslite Spectrum.
At the mall’s primary entrance, an open space for pop-up shops is flanked by escalators transporting shoppers to the upper ground floor and delivering views into both spaces. To the right of the airy entrance foyer is an additional escalator connecting directly to a first floor open-concept space, currently home to the iconic lifestyle bookstore - Eslite Spectrum.
The Starhill’s hotel footprint has been expanded to incorporate an additional three floors of mall space. In creating a diverse functional mix, the intervention transforms the light-filled atrium thanks to inward-facing hotel room windows.
The Starhill’s hotel footprint has been expanded to incorporate an additional three floors of mall space. In creating a diverse functional mix, the intervention transforms the light-filled atrium thanks to inward-facing hotel room windows.
An unexpected feature for hotel guests and shoppers alike, the smart window boxes evoke a city within a city, further blurring boundaries between inside and out. Windows overlook a bridge connecting the two sides of the atrium, allowing visitors to thoroughly read the space from top to bottom, and left to right.
An unexpected feature for hotel guests and shoppers alike, the smart window boxes evoke a city within a city, further blurring boundaries between inside and out. Windows overlook a bridge connecting the two sides of the atrium, allowing visitors to thoroughly read the space from top to bottom, and left to right.
Central to Kokaistudios’ vision for The Starhill was bringing natural light into this previously enclosed space. Directly inspired by the airy elegance of conservatories, a skylight has been re-opened up in the mall’s domed ceiling, bringing welcomed daylight into the space.
Central to Kokaistudios’ vision for The Starhill was bringing natural light into this previously enclosed space. Directly inspired by the airy elegance of conservatories, a skylight has been re-opened up in the mall’s domed ceiling, bringing welcomed daylight into the space.
Interior materials have been selected for their associations of comfort, and in particular, hospitality to connect with the integrated hotel. They include stone floors, natural wood effect coverings, rough plasters and refined brass details.
Interior materials have been selected for their associations of comfort, and in particular, hospitality to connect with the integrated hotel. They include stone floors, natural wood effect coverings, rough plasters and refined brass details.
For the practice’s first major project in Southeast Asia, Kokaistudios undertook an interior and exterior redesign and renovation of The Starhill shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur, right in the heart of KL’s famous shopping belt Bukit Bintang. By injecting welcomed daylight into the interior space and further diversifying its functional mix, the iconic mall has been rejuvenated and opened-up for a new chapter.
The Starhill sits at the convergence of two main thoroughfares – Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Gading. In order to weave the mall more closely into its urban fabric, Kokaistudios applied distinct approaches to its north and west-facing sides, while preserving its striking visual identity. The lower part of the mall’s previously all-encompassing angular shell has been removed, making the mall’s luxury anchor tenants visible from the Jalan Bukit Bintang side. Meanwhile, street-facing F&B outlets on the western side lend themselves to the foot traffic on the narrow pathway of Jalan Gading.
At the mall’s primary entrance, an open space for pop-up shops is flanked by escalators transporting shoppers to the upper ground floor and delivering views into both spaces. To the right of the airy entrance foyer is an additional escalator connecting directly to a first floor open-concept space, currently home to the iconic lifestyle bookstore - Eslite Spectrum.
The Starhill’s hotel footprint has been expanded to incorporate an additional three floors of mall space. In creating a diverse functional mix, the intervention transforms the light-filled atrium thanks to inward-facing hotel room windows.
An unexpected feature for hotel guests and shoppers alike, the smart window boxes evoke a city within a city, further blurring boundaries between inside and out. Windows overlook a bridge connecting the two sides of the atrium, allowing visitors to thoroughly read the space from top to bottom, and left to right.
Central to Kokaistudios’ vision for The Starhill was bringing natural light into this previously enclosed space. Directly inspired by the airy elegance of conservatories, a skylight has been re-opened up in the mall’s domed ceiling, bringing welcomed daylight into the space.
Interior materials have been selected for their associations of comfort, and in particular, hospitality to connect with the integrated hotel. They include stone floors, natural wood effect coverings, rough plasters and refined brass details.
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