Conservation of shophouses, the architectural heritage of the colonial past in Penang's UNESCO World Heritage Site, is subjected to strict conservation regulations and guidelines imposed and enforced by the local authority. The goal of the conservation effort is to add value to the dilapidated structures in order for them to remain relevant and economically viable while maintaining the historical essence of the site. Sadly, because of erroneous conservation treatments, many have failed to achieve the intended goals. This article explores the regulations and processes involved and the challenges faced by building owners in conserving the shophouses. The significance of the study stem from the crucial need to deal with the issues involved in the conservation of heritage buildings within the rapid economic growth and transformation of Penang's UNESCO World Heritage Site urban fabric. The study employs theoretical and analytical approaches as its methodology. This article discusses the initiatives of three building owners in conserving shophouses into boutique hotel, museum and office, each originally of different purposes. Each of them applied adaptive reuse conservation strategy, with similar intention of rehabilitating the buildings for a more viable and current usage while maintaining their historical value and character. This article will serve as a reference for the local authorities, architects, designers, conservators and the public when embarking on projects of a similar nature in the future.

Coworking is defined as people work and share the same facilities; creating social interaction to form a community. Through literature publication in Asia, most of the studies are focusing on market value and revenue; lack study on social interaction topic. This study aims to analyse spaces for user social interaction in coworking space in Common Ground Damansara Heights. To achieve the aim, it identifies types of social interaction in coworking space. Site observation and data are analysed to determine the availability of spaces for social interaction. This conclusion informs suggestion to designers and academics on consideration in coworking spaces for user to socialise.Keywords: Coworking; social interactioneISSN: 2398-4287 © 2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v5i13.2068

The establishment of the first National Palace in Malaya in 1957 reflects the transformation in the identity of palace architecture. Traditional palace architecture has developed from society’s traditional way of life, as well as the materials and techniques of local construction. However, in the 1950s, significant changes could be seen in the lifestyle, politics, economics and many other areas in Malaya due to modernisation. The changes in the political system and people’s values have influenced the traditional palace architecture during the 1950s. This research aims to highlight the palace’s architecture transformation as direct consequences of changes in the identity of the state and nation. The research employs interpretive historical methodology, with the first National Palace as the case study. The study concluded that the architecture of the first National Palace reflects an image based on the contemporary values of the local community, which meet the political aspiration of a modern democratic government at that time. These findings will contribute to the understanding of the changes in the traditional social contract between the rulers and the people, and the selection of modern architecture as an identity of the country’s current government.

This research investigates the effectiveness of photographs in enhancing, creating attachment and appreciation towards memories of historical events which took place in the former National Palace of Kuala Lumpur. The purpose of this research is to study the effectiveness of the use of photographs for the appreciation of the museum from the visitors' perspective.  The research findings provide recommendations to museum curators and administrators for better decision making on the utilization and display of photographs in the Royal Museum and other museums in general.Keywords: Royal Museum Kuala Lumpur; photographs; appreciation; effectiveness.eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.