By Anne Das
Warehouses are some of the biggest users of energy and water. In Ipoh, one company has shown that it does not have to stay that way. The Wah Seng Warehouse and Office is now Malaysia’s first GreenRE Platinum-rated facility under the “existing warehouse” category. It is an example of how businesses can reduce their footprint while continuing to operate effectively.
What was once a neglected structure has been given a new purpose. The warehouse has been redeveloped to meet the highest GreenRE standards, setting a benchmark for how older industrial buildings can be redesigned to fit environmental needs.
Wah Seng (1986) Sdn Bhd, a family-run food distribution company, undertook the project with design led by Kuee Architecture. The task was straightforward. Turn an aging building into a facility that saves energy, improves working conditions and reduces environmental impact.
The redevelopment introduced several green features. A carbon dioxide-based cold room system now cuts energy use by up to 45 percent. Solar panels generate 15 percent of the building’s electricity. Rainwater harvesting reduces reliance on mains supply, and electric vehicle charging stations prepare for the future. Office areas also use five-star energy-rated air conditioning.
Staff spaces were not forgotten. Preserved mangosteen trees provide shade for outdoor breakout areas, giving employees a place to rest. Inside, natural lighting, timber textures and softer finishes replace the cold industrial look. Even fire staircases were brightened with colour, making the workplace more welcoming.
From the street, the change is clear. Wah Seng’s corporate green now wraps around the façade, complemented by vertical lines and staggered glass. Insulated walls and efficient glazing reduce heat transfer, proving that good design can also save energy.
Inside, a neutral cream base with green accents ties the interiors back to the company’s heritage while providing a clean, modern workspace. The result is a facility that is both practical and future ready.
Similar projects are emerging across Southeast Asia, with certified green warehouses in Thailand and Singapore. Ipoh now joins that regional shift with a national first, showing that Malaysia too can move toward sustainable industrial redevelopment.
As cities expand and resources tighten, examples like this show what can be done. By proving that older buildings can be upgraded with cleaner technologies, the Wah Seng Warehouse provides a model others can follow and gives Ipoh reason to be proud of its role in Malaysia’s green journey.
