Inspired by Taiwan's Cultural Creativity, COEX Art Hub Rises in Penang
Malaysian architect Mei Chee Seong, inspired by Taiwan's community building and cultural creativity, transformed an abandoned iron factory in George Town, Penang, into the COEX art hub. The space combines a café, co-working space, independent bookstore, and diverse art events, serving as a community-building experimental field. COEX does not simply copy the Taiwanese model but adapts the inspiration to meet Malaysian social needs, exploring Malaysia's own path in cultural creativity.
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- 📰 Published: June 5, 2026 at 12:30
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On a Sunday afternoon at COEX in George Town, Penang, Malaysia, sunlight falls between old buildings and green spaces. Some people read on outdoor benches, others sit on the ground. A nearby creative market bustles with people, blending with this art hub inspired by Taiwan, adding a leisurely and creative atmosphere.
It is hard to imagine that COEX, now full of the scent of books and humanity, was once an abandoned iron factory. Today, it is one of Penang's most representative community-building sites. It combines coffee and light meals, a co-working space, an independent bookstore, and diverse art and cultural events, attracting young creators, designers, and local residents to interact.
The driving force behind this art hub and community experimental field is Mei Chee Seong, founder of aLM Architects in Malaysia.
●From Abandoned Factory to Art Hub: COEX Creates a Community Experimental Field
Mei told CNA that architects usually focus on hardware design, but after more than 20 years of architectural planning and design, he began to think whether architecture could create connections and experiences between people, not just physical spaces.
He pointed out that the birth of COEX is an attempt to move from architectural design to 'Experience Design,' hoping to combine the concepts of 'CO' (co-participation) and 'EX' (experience, exploration) to connect with the community through a platform and explore people's imagination of a better life and experience.
Mei said: 'COEX, as an experimental platform, provides nutrients and opportunities. It is like an open community experimental field and also the starting point of community building.'
●Inspired by Taiwan's Cultural Creativity, Exploring Local Practice in Penang
The inspiration for COEX comes from Taiwan's experience in community building and cultural and creative industry development.
Mei noted that many Malaysian Chinese have been exposed to Taiwanese culture while growing up. 'We all grew up drinking Taiwan's milk.' Over the years, Taiwan's accumulated achievements in cultural creativity, design, and community building have become objects of observation and learning for many Malaysian creative workers.
He admitted that he often wondered why Taiwan could nurture such rich cultural and creative energy, while Malaysia found it difficult to replicate the same model. However, in his view, cultural creativity is never a product of copy-paste; it must take root and sprout in the local soil.
Mei said: 'COEX is not about transplanting the Taiwanese model to Penang unchanged. Instead, it aims to transform the inspiration from Taiwan into a practice that meets the needs of Malaysian society.'
Therefore, from art exhibitions to weekend markets, from independent bookstores to co-working spaces, COEX is not just an architectural space but more like a continuously growing community laboratory. In Penang, a city full of history and multiculturalism, it is attempting to transform the inspiration from Taiwan into local practice, exploring Malaysia's own path in cultural creativity.
It is hard to imagine that COEX, now full of the scent of books and humanity, was once an abandoned iron factory. Today, it is one of Penang's most representative community-building sites. It combines coffee and light meals, a co-working space, an independent bookstore, and diverse art and cultural events, attracting young creators, designers, and local residents to interact.
The driving force behind this art hub and community experimental field is Mei Chee Seong, founder of aLM Architects in Malaysia.
●From Abandoned Factory to Art Hub: COEX Creates a Community Experimental Field
Mei told CNA that architects usually focus on hardware design, but after more than 20 years of architectural planning and design, he began to think whether architecture could create connections and experiences between people, not just physical spaces.
He pointed out that the birth of COEX is an attempt to move from architectural design to 'Experience Design,' hoping to combine the concepts of 'CO' (co-participation) and 'EX' (experience, exploration) to connect with the community through a platform and explore people's imagination of a better life and experience.
Mei said: 'COEX, as an experimental platform, provides nutrients and opportunities. It is like an open community experimental field and also the starting point of community building.'
●Inspired by Taiwan's Cultural Creativity, Exploring Local Practice in Penang
The inspiration for COEX comes from Taiwan's experience in community building and cultural and creative industry development.
Mei noted that many Malaysian Chinese have been exposed to Taiwanese culture while growing up. 'We all grew up drinking Taiwan's milk.' Over the years, Taiwan's accumulated achievements in cultural creativity, design, and community building have become objects of observation and learning for many Malaysian creative workers.
He admitted that he often wondered why Taiwan could nurture such rich cultural and creative energy, while Malaysia found it difficult to replicate the same model. However, in his view, cultural creativity is never a product of copy-paste; it must take root and sprout in the local soil.
Mei said: 'COEX is not about transplanting the Taiwanese model to Penang unchanged. Instead, it aims to transform the inspiration from Taiwan into a practice that meets the needs of Malaysian society.'
Therefore, from art exhibitions to weekend markets, from independent bookstores to co-working spaces, COEX is not just an architectural space but more like a continuously growing community laboratory. In Penang, a city full of history and multiculturalism, it is attempting to transform the inspiration from Taiwan into local practice, exploring Malaysia's own path in cultural creativity.
FAQ
Where is COEX located?
It is located in George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
What kind of events are held at COEX?
Various art events such as art exhibitions, weekend markets, and workshops are held.
Is there an entrance fee for COEX?
Not specified in the article, but it is likely that some areas are free to access while certain events may have a fee.