Daily Express Subscriber
Sign in to your account.

PETALING JAYA: Scroll through social media today and artificial intelligence is used everywhere, sparking concerns about widespread misinformation.

But what if this same technology could be harnessed to foster preservation rather than confusion?

Logistics manager Mark Yong, 51, spends his free time digitally restoring Malaysia’s damaged, demolished and forgotten heritage buildings using AI.

“Growing up across the 1980s, I have enjoyed history since I was a child,” he told FMT Lifestyle, recalling countless afternoons spent wandering the streets of Chinatown, marvelling at pre-war shophouses.

After graduation, he worked in Penang for six years, every weekend turning into an architectural pilgrimage.

“Years later, when I made regular trips back to Penang, I saw how many of these old shophouses had been restored, and repurposed, giving them a new lease of life. However, this is not the case for all the old buildings in Malaysia,” he said.

One pivotal moment remains vivid for Yong: the demolition of Bok House on Jalan Ampang.

“It made me realise that if such a beautiful piece of architecture could be destroyed in the name of ‘development’, how many more of our country’s historical buildings are in similar danger?”

For Yong, these buildings are more than concrete structures. “Such historical buildings remind us of who we are, and how far we have ventured to be where we are today.”

Interestingly, Yong’s journey with AI didn’t start with heritage buildings. Wondering about the long, empty gap between the Taman Jaya and Universiti LRT stations, he used AI to generate what a “Gasing LRT Station” might look like on the vacant land nearby.

“I loved the results,” he said. Encouraged, he began modelling other ideas: water taxis along the Klang River and a new purpose for the fire-damaged EPF building along the Federal Highway.

The shift to heritage buildings followed naturally. His first attempt was the former Bukit Bintang Girls’ School, where Pavilion Mall now stands. Using an old photograph, he re-imagined its main wing as a boutique arcade.

Then he tackled the old Penang Free School and St Xavier’s Institution, both partially destroyed during the Second World War. He has completed at least fifty restorations, he shared.

Notable creations include the Shih Chung Branch School in George Town, the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Pagar Trias, Istana Sepachendera in Alor Setar and the Old Courthouse in Taiping. He also restores forgotten shophouses and obscure bungalows.

“The buildings I seek out need not necessarily be famous,” Yong emphasised. “As long as they have a fairly long history, and are generally aesthetically appealing.”

Most of his reference images are sourced online through public domains (otherwise credited). From there, the digital restoration begins using tools like Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot.

“Generally, I first remove all rubbish and obstacles,” he explained. “Then I clean the walls, repaint them, and repair the broken doors and windows.”

Depending on the structure, he might add garden lawns, footpaths and adjust the ambience. Multiple attempts, and carefully sequenced prompts are often needed to land the right result.

Importantly, Yong is adamant about transparency. “I always include the original images when I post. I emphasise that the images are AI renditions and re-imaginings. I am very much against AI being used as a tool to misinform, to mislead and worst of all, to deceive.”

Yong, who mostly posts his creations on Facebook groups, said online reactions have been encouraging.

“For the most part, people like my AI creations,” he said. “Some encourage me to do more.” One follower even used Yong’s work to create further enhancements.

“For the original buildings that no longer exist, seeing the AI rendition leaves me sad that we can only have a visual of what could have been,” Yong said.

But he added that digital restoration also gives him a shimmer of hope for the pieces of history that can still be saved.

“What I hope to achieve is a heightened awareness of our country’s historical architecture, and with it, an urgency to preserve, protect and restore these structures to their former glory,” Yong stressed.

“Above all, through my AI renditions, I hope to show people what is possible.”