Sarawak Gastronomy Centre – A food court, landmark and public water park

The Sarawak Gastronomy Centre which is currently under construction at the old MBKS Public Swimming pool is being designed not just as a food court, but as a landmark of Kuching’s creative identity and a functional hub for its UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy designation.

While excitement has proven to be focused on the re-construction of the swimming pool and its change to be a public water park, which is part of the renovation works, those related to tourism are equally excited about what the Sarawak Gastronomy Centre.

Sarawak Gastronomy Centre Design and features

The centre’s design is focused on multi-functionality, community engagement, and environmental responsibility. The existing swimming area as previously noted, would be turned into a recreational space for families with the main building transformed into the Sarawak Gastronomy Centre.

Among key components of the building are listed below.

• Exhibition and Event Space
• Open Kitchens for Pop-up Dining
• A Culinary Lab for Collaboration and Experimentation
• Seminar Rooms for workshops and capacity-building programs

The design of the building will also reflect Kuching’s commitment to sustainability, aiming for Green Building Index (GBI) certification GBI certification involves assessing a building’s performance across various categories, including energy efficiency, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and sustainable site planning and management.

Early concepts also included the idea of Roof Gardens which will be designed for community urban farming and educational programs.

The design will also involve turning site constraints into solutions, such as creating a spiral walkway with specific gradients to ensure accessibility for wheelchairs and to provide viewing opportunities.

Photos of the proposed centre can be seen below.

Completion date

The timeline for the centre’s completion is by August 2026. The date coincides with Kuching’s bid to host a major international meeting related to food thereafter.

The centre is set to become the physical manifestation of Kuching’s culinary aspirations, serving as a dynamic platform for both local traditional food and international creative expression, a key requirement of its UNESCO designation.

Source of information & photos: DayakDaily: 1, 2, 3, Kuching Creative City, Cities of Gastronomy