In one of the largest hospitality curation projects undertaken by Studio Behind 90, Ascott engaged our team to illustrate the complete visual identity and mural architecture for lyf Hotel Chinatown.
Tasked with designing the murals across all three of their specialized guest room categories, as well as the main public and dining arenas, our goal was to completely redefine how Malaysian culture is experienced in a modern space.
As a homegrown Malaysian studio that has interpreted local elements for years, we deliberately avoided clichéd visual tropes.
You will not find predictable national landmarks, basic hibiscus stamps, sea turtles, or standard durian motifs here. Instead, we excavated deep, narrative-driven elements of daily Malaysian life, remixing heritage with a high-energy, contemporary artistic abstractness.
Redefining Local Favorites
We developed three distinct thematic concepts across the different guest room formats, engineering a balanced visual language that feels fresh yet deeply nostalgic:
The Pasar Culture Theme
A direct homage to the nearby Chinatown pasar heritage. This concept focuses on the textures, colors, and overlapping geometries of old-school market environments.
The Borneo Train Culture Theme
Moving beyond the peninsula, this room art captures East Malaysia’s heritage railways. The artwork interweaves elements of regional palm trees, rich tropical wildlife, and a playful nod to local teh tarik (pull tea) traditions.
The Batik Betta Fish Theme
We dedicated an entire room series to the elegant Betta fish, an iconic pet that almost every Malaysian has raised at some point in their childhood. To prevent the design from looking too literal, we utilized an intricate, fluid batik style. This approach delivers a beautiful artistic abstractness that wraps around the walls, elevating the room into a modern gallery space.
Ground Floor and CafE
The ground floor public spaces bridge the transition from Chinatown’s historic streets into the hotel’s energetic interior:
Ground Floor Cafe Area
he artwork features a classic pink and yellow Malaysian mini bus pulling up alongside Chinatown old shophouses, set against a backdrop of signature multi-colored market umbrellas.
Reception Desk
To anchor the arrival experience, lyf requested hand-painted executions for key statement areas. Directly behind the reception desk, we hand-painted a massive, welcoming “SAY HI” typographic mural to greet travelers with authentic Malaysian warmth.
Top Floor Food and Public Space
Because the top floor functions as the core social, food, and entertainment heartbeat of the hotel, the imagery here shifts toward high-tempo local street culture and performance:
Indoor Food and Entertainment Zone
The indoor printed murals celebrate traditional artisanal musicians playing local instruments, surrounded by skaters, chefs, and active street food stall owners. It captures the frantic, joyful energy of a night out in Kuala Lumpur.
Top Bar Balcony Area
Stepping onto the outside wall of the bar balcony, we transitioned back to raw, hand-painted art. This exterior mural brings local food culture to life with stylized depictions of steaming bowls, musicians, and urban scooters against a dark, contrasting backdrop.
The Outcome
The final installation transforms lyf Hotel Chinatown into a living, breathing exhibition of contemporary Malaysian identity. The entire space feels vibrant, full of passion, and intensely welcoming, mirroring exactly how real Malaysians treat guests from around the world.