We were presented with another opportunity to redesign an existing terrace house property belonging to a well known pâtissier and interior designer couple in Kuala Lumpur. The property, a charmless two-storey, recently renovated terrace house located in a hilly, 80s terrace housing development was badly planned out, cheaply finished, dark and damp due to poor construction.
We began with gutting out the entire house from within, leaving only a few essential columns and beams onto which the new layout and design to suit the lifestyle of the two lively couple excited to embark on a collaborative design journey with the studio.
The main design strategy was to elevate the public domain of the house, i.e. the kitchen, living and dining area to the first floor. The roof rafters were intentionally left exposed and segments of the roof covering were made transparent to allow for better ventilation and more natural light to filter through the new lofty space. A partially glazed roof facade capitalizes views of the mature tree canopies belonging to the park situated just opposite the house.
The existing split level in the original house terrain rendered the ground and lower ground levels to feel dimmer and cosier, perfect to tuck two garden bedroom suites and a guest room within the compact space, all three rooms with ensuite facilities. Two courtyards were introduced for light to penetrate through to the lower ground courtyard garden that run parallel along the bedrooms that allows for a bit of respite and comfort from their hectic daily schedules.
The house’s bare and natural finish serves to receive and reveal in time, imprints and traces through wear and a build-up of natural growth and character with each passing year.
