Longhouse Lodge at Mulu National Park
Longhouse Lodge, later renamed Rainforest Lodge, is one of several accommodation additions to the Mulu National Park Headquarters, part of an ongoing effort to improve visitor facilities at the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in a remote and environmentally sensitive area, the project was shaped by logistical, climatic, and regulatory challenges.
The brief called for 12 new lodge units in the form of a longhouse. Prior to this, the park already offered accommodation in the form of bungalows, a standard longhouse lodge, and hostel-style rooms. Since a longhouse lodge already existed, the design team was given the freedom to reinterpret the brief and approach the programme from a fresh perspective — aiming for a scheme that could still be loosely described as a longhouse, but with a different spatial and experiential strategy.
Mulu is broadly accessible only by air, now served by ATR 72 turboprop aircraft that replaced the older Twin Otters — a reminder of the site's remoteness and the logistical challenges it presents. Construction materials must still be transported by river, subject to seasonal water levels. The site is located in a flood-prone zone, frequently inundated by flash floods. As with other developments in the area, including the nearby Marriott Hotel, stilted construction was necessary. The buildable area was limited to a small existing clearing, with strict requirements to preserve all surrounding trees. The site is also completely off-grid.
To respond to these limitations, the building was divided into two blocks of six units. In a departure from the traditional longhouse layout, where the ruai (communal hall) forms the social heart, this scheme prioritises privacy. The shared boardwalk replaces the ruai as the primary circulation and social space. Each visitor approaches a private patio before entering their unit.
The units are arranged in mirrored pairs, each with an en suite wet area separating the bedrooms. This ensures privacy, with no overlooking between units. Though the form retains longhouse references, each unit is both visually and acoustically distinct from its neighbours.
Modular construction was essential due to site access and environmental constraints. The stilts and floor beams were constructed in reinforced concrete to withstand flooding, while the superstructure uses lightweight mild steel and C-purlin framing. Wet areas are built on cast concrete slabs, and floors are clad in 20 mm-thick cement board.
Maximising the use of local materials was a key strategy. Locally sourced river sand and stone were used for concrete, while cement board of varying thickness was applied for linings and floors. Bedroom partitions were cast in concrete using single-length plywood formwork (2.4 m high), topped with steel framing, cement board, and insulation. Clay brick was ruled out due to the difficulty of transport. Timber use was prohibited within the reserve, so proprietary timber-substitute cladding was used to match existing structures.
The team also collaborated with the contractor to develop modular stone feature walls using local river pebbles. These create textured entrance features and provide a rustic backdrop to the showers, replacing an earlier open-shower concept that was abandoned due to maintenance concerns. Completed on a modest budget of RM 1.6 million (excluding the boardwalk), the lodge enhances the Mulu visitor experience by offering a sensitive, low-impact intervention that reflects its surroundings while providing comfort and privacy.
Text by the architect
PROJECT GALLERY
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Architect : AR+C Design Group
Client : Borsamulu Park Management
Area : 434 m²
Project Location : Mulu National Park | Sarawak
Year : 2016 -
C&S Engineer : MAR & Associates
M&E Engineer : Perunding MALCA Sdn Bhd
Quantity Surveyor : PUBM Quantity Surveyors
Contractor : Mulu Frontiers Sdn Bhd
Design Team : Chan Kheng Leong | Jenny Hong | Wendy Ong | Lim Phei Shir -
Floor | Floor Finishes
• Tile : MMA
Roofing Systems : Lysaght
Paint Systems : Nippon Paint
Door | Hardware : Kaisu
Sanitary Fittings | Systems : Johnson Suisse
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