Interior of Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak (DUNS)

BuiltMalaysiaSarawak
Written By Borneo Architecture Journal

The Café’s design is inspired by Sarawak’s iconic natural landscapes – the world-famous limestone caves and river basins

IDCA was tasked by Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak (DUNS), through Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) as its implementing agency, to renovate a number of spaces within the DUN. These included a new café, media centre and gallery spaces at the Level 2 concourse, and a cafeteria at Level 1 for staff use.

Entrance to the Canteen, which can now accommodate up to 200 users in a day during an assembly meeting

The Media Centre is inspired by Sarawak’s rich mix of traditional visual arts culture

The challenge was to create memorable interiors befitting the monumental architecture of the DUN, while being welcoming and useful to a wide variety of users including the general public, visiting school groups, as well as office-holders and staff of the DUN.

Pre-construction view of the café space, documenting existing conditions prior to renovation

Wooden terrain cascading down from the ceilings in the Cafe resemble ‘stalactites’ in Sarawak’s limestone caves

IDCA's response draws on images of the epic natural landscapes of Sarawak, as well as the rich visual and material culture of its peoples. The L2 Café and Media Centre is inspired by the cave systems of Niah and Mulu, which are significant as both natural wonders as well as, in the case of Niah, a cradle of primordial human culture.

Documentation of the existing office prior to the adaptive reuse conversion into the Media Centre

The Media Centre is a reflection of the peoples and cultures of Sarawak, as well as its iconic natural landscapes

The design reflects the undulating walls and ceilings of these iconic caves, as well as the all-encompassing forest canopy that surrounds and intrudes into them. Patterned fabrics by Tanoti are also integrated into the walls of the Media Room, and the timber slats are inspired directly by dayak basketry.

A formal record of the building's interior canteen area preconstruction

The Canteen’s interior is conceived as a forest glade, providing a relaxing and calm environment

The L1 staff cafeteria is conceived as an oasis away from crowded DUN sessions. The once-dark space was opened up to the underused adjacent courtyard garden, providing natural light and ventilation as a much-needed foil against the hermetically-sealed air-conditioned interior. The interior draws inspiration from an abstracted forest glade — rounded timber panels, boulder-like fixed furniture, and a sculpted canopy ceiling create a calming, organic atmosphere that guides users toward the courtyard “forest” beyond.

Text by the architect

 

PROJECT GALLERY

 

  • Architect : IDC Architects
    Client : Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak ( DUNS )
    Area : 1627 m²
    Project Location : Kuching | Sarawak
    Year : 2025

  • M&E Engineer : Perunding CH Engineering
    Contractor : Tele Kenyalang Engineering Sdn Bhd
    Design Team : Ar. Alan Kor Loong Lau | Ar. Tina Lau Kor Ting | Lily Low | Ming Wung | Ivan Kong
    Photography : Bong Chon Fan

  • Wall | Wall Finishes
    • Wall Covering : Tanoti Sdn Bhd
    Ceiling | Ceiling Systems : DML Products ( Borneo ) Sdn Bhd
    Lighting Design | Fittings : Justlight Sdn Bhd

 
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