THE Night Shelter, also known as the Pusat Transit Gelandangan in Jalan C.Y. Choy, has received wide recognition locally and internationally since it began operations a few years ago.
Built on a 0.37-acre site at the intersection of Jalan C.Y. Choy and Jalan Magazine, the centre comprises a restored 1920s two-storey shophouse built in the Southern Chinese Eclectic style, along with a newly added three-storey extension at the rear. Together, both structures offer a total built-up area of 17,500 sq ft.
Over the years, the Night Shelter has received numerous awards, including:
• GRPB Champion Award 2021 – Participation
• MBPP Innovation & Creativity Competition 2021 – Participation
• National Scroll of Honour for Human Settlement Award 2022 – Consolation
• Penang State Government Innovation Award 2023 – Second Place
• PAM Awards 2024 – Silver (SDG Category)
• PAM Awards 2024 – Silver (Adaptive Reuse)
• MalaysiaGBC Leadership in Sustainability Award 2024 – Platinum
• LivCom Awards 2024 (International Awards for Liveable Communities) – Silver
• The Edge–PAM Green Excellence Award 2024
• MIPPEA Low Carbon Award 2024 – Gold
• Green Building Index – Platinum
• MALA Innovation Competition 3.0: Minister’s Cup KPKT 2024 – Second Place
• Malaysia Landscape Architecture Awards 2025 – Landscape Design Award (Honour)
• Malaysia Landscape Architecture Awards 2025 – Green Initiatives Award (Honour)
• National Energy Award 2024 – Green Building (Winner)
• ASEAN Energy Award 2024 – Green Building (Second Runner-Up)
Penang Island City Council (MBPP) building control department director Rizuwan Salleh said the idea of developing George Town’s first dedicated homeless transit shelter began in 2018 through MBPP and the Penang government.
“The main objective was to address their immediate needs including shelter, sanitation, hygiene and safety.
“Without these essentials, they are highly vulnerable to serious health risks,” he said in an interview with Buletin Mutiara in Komtar recently.
Also present was MBPP building control department architect Ooi Pen Yee.
Rizuwan added the Night Shelter’s most recent honour which is winning the National Energy Award in September and the ASEAN Energy Award in October this year officially marks it as MBPP’s most successful pilot project to date.
The construction began in 2020 with full state funding of RM4.4 million, and the building was completed in 2022. Operations commenced in August 2023, managed by the Penang Social Welfare Department (JKM).
The Night Shelter accommodates segregated male and female dormitories with 80 beds, as well as training rooms, learning spaces, a rooftop garden, kitchen, dining area and dedicated space for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to distribute food to residents and qualified individuals.
Each individual is allowed an initial two-week stay during which Penang JKM assists in job matching and finding long-term accommodation. The duration can be extended if those goals have not been achieved.
Residents also undergo various programmes such as skills workshops, motivational classes, health screenings and counselling.
Rizuwan said the Night Shelter is a special homeless shelter that embraces the triple net zero concept, the first of its kind in Penang.
“This means the consumption cost of the building in terms of energy, water and waste needs to be low.
“Thus, a mix of active systems and passive designs were integrated into the building to strive for a triple net zero building.
“Installations like energy-saving light-emitting diode (LED) lighting with motion sensors and a 40kWp solar photovoltaic panel system on the rooftop are some of the features that help to lower the cost of energy consumption,” he said.
Additionally, he said the use of ventilation blocks helps to create cross-ventilation in the building, thus reducing the need for air conditioning.
“Ample perimeter openings and an open courtyard help to naturally light up the building’s interior, thereby reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day.
“Striving for net zero water consumption, the building uses a rainwater harvesting system for toilet flushing and landscape irrigation, greywater recycling from showers and basins for irrigation purposes and water-saving fittings.
“Meanwhile, more than 75% of construction waste is recycled and reused. Organic waste is also turned into organic fertiliser for the plants in the compound,” he explained.
Rizuwan added that by blending heritage character with green innovation, the Night Shelter is designed ultimately for human dignity and rehabilitation.
“Our goal is to help them regain their footing and reintegrate into society.
“This is the first initiative of its kind and a replicable prototype for future similar facilities. We aim to work closely with Penang JKM to identify more potential sites, particularly outside the city centre,” Rizuwan said.
He concluded that the shelter’s multiple international achievements further strengthen MBPP’s direction and commitment towards integrating ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) principles in its administrative operations, one of the most effective approaches in addressing the escalating challenges of climate change.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Alissala Thian and courtesy of MBPP