The house is located on a sloping site in a guarded and gated property. It is designed for a couple who are nature lovers, travellers, and keen photographers of nature and wildlife. The husband, who used to be a Captain pilot and diving instructor, is an underwater photographer and a pioneer in the Malaysian diving scene. The brief is relatively simple; a living area that would cater to both and their adult son and a spacious area to exhibit their photography. They wanted a natural house, in the sense that is naturally ventilated, has natural sunlight, and relates well to the context of a green reserve, which is situated approximately 20 meters above road level at its back.
The design strategy is to create a main living platform that is on the same level as the green reserve at its back. The gallery is located on a level below, to limit the living activity to the house’s highest level. The front of the building is a housing staircase, and the liftis set back 12 meters from the road and is purposefully kept to a minimum depth to reduce cut-and-fill significantly, thus lessening the earthwork and the need for an extensive retaining wall.
The material palette is limited to concrete with a bare finish, and the floors are mainly polished concrete and some in-situ terrazzo. The local hardwood timber, yellow Balau, which clads the floor, wall, and ceiling of the living and dining area, provides a certain warmth to the space.
There is certain experimentation in the architectural components. The large openings feature a 5-meter by 5-meter vertical mild steel foldable wall on the gallery floor, generous sliding doors on the living and dining floor, and retractable canvas canopy over the external timber deck fishing pond on the highest level, and external roller blinds which allow the occupants to adapt the house to the weather, which they are attuned to throughout the day.
Other salient features of this house are the natural fish pond (also used as a swimming pool) at the highest floor and the “Secret Garden”, which is the left-over void at the under croftof the building; it is transformed into a modern urban farm, which has been providing vegetables for their daily need. It is also a casual and informal gathering space for friends and family. With the fish harvested on the floor above, this urban farming area complements in a way the owners’ intention to have a sustainable and self-sufficient home.
In summary, like all architectural endeavours, this house is but an embodiment of the story of the owners of this house and their worldview. From that point of view, the right dynamics between the clients and the architect is crucial for a successful outcome. I enjoy the process of this house very much because the trust we have developed has allowed this house to evolve. Like the wise saying goes: “A good house can never be finished.”
