/ Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia /
/ Story: Baralee P. / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Apinine Thassanopas /
Here is a 40+ year old townhouse in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia that has been renovated to provide a healthy environment ideally suited to consistent warm weather year-round. It’s the story of a tropical style house being updated to enhance comfort and enjoyment, ultimately resulting in an open plan layout where different areas flow into each other and connect with outdoor spaces nearby. Thanks to proper ventilation and the presence of natural illumination, the home feels more uplifting with greater overall satisfaction.
This is achieved by taking down dividing walls to create large, unified spaces in the interior. Plus, being an end-of-block unit makes it possible to install large openings in walls to bring in cool air and drive out heat. Where appropriate, old roofing materials are replaced by corrugated transparent sheets creating a skylight system equipped with blower fans to expel hot and humid air from the building. In the meantime, more plants are put in strategically to create natural façades in all directions. The vertical green spaces provide protection from sun’s heat making the home comfortable without relying on air conditioning.
This vibrant townhouse is in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia which is located just north of the equator. The region is known for being hot and humid year-round, not to mention heavy rainfall brought on by two monsoon seasons. Who would have thought? A simple but clever idea can make such a difference in creating a comfortable living environment. Thanks to meticulous planning, there is almost no need for air conditioning. The AC is turned on only twice a year, max.
Here the journey begins. A townhouse that’s over 30 years old in Peninsular Malaysia has been tastefully renovated as a German expat’s dream home providing ample space for his adorable pet dogs. OTCQ Architects undertook the remodeling project, successfully transforming it into a house with a peaceful yard. Precisely, it’s about redefining tropical design along more practical lines by integrating the home into its natural surroundings to maximize comfort and functionality.
Architecturally speaking, end-unit townhouses offer many benefits typically associated with detached homes. In this specific case, the team of architects at OTCQ think it wise to move the main entryway from under the triangular gable façade and position it on the wide side of the rectangular house plan.
By embracing the concept of adaptive reuse, they make certain that all essential structural components, including pillars, beams and the entire roofing system, remain intact. Where appropriate, non-load-bearing walls are removed to create a fluid, open-concept space that maximizes natural light, improves ventilation and fosters social interaction. Meanwhile, large windows provide an unobstructed view of the outdoors, blurring the boundaries between living spaces and the surroundings ultimately creating healthier, more pleasant living.
The new façade not only defines the home’s character through a wide horizontal presence but also allows for an open floor plan that makes indoor and outdoor rooms feel spacious, well lit, and well ventilated. As the architects intended, generous exterior wall openings, such as wide sliding doors and floor-to-ceiling windows, bring in natural light and fresh air to make the home feel cozy and inviting. Proper ventilation is highly effective in dissipating heat quickly, while strategically placed clear polycarbonate roof panels keep the interior dry by preventing condensation and moisture buildup. They work alongside the exhaust fans installed in the rooftop to create indoor thermal comfort.
The open-plan ground floor gives the townhouse a more spacious and airy atmosphere creating a visual flow where all areas feel connected from the living room to dining room and kitchen. A long dining table with a cast-in-place concrete countertop nearby is immediately visible upon entering. It acts as the heart of a home functioning as a vital space for bonding and sharing meals with friends and loved ones. There is a kitchen counter nearby for preparing and cooking food. As to be expected of well-designed tropical homes, brick flooring provides a warm, textured aesthetic creating a seamless indoor-outdoor living space.
The second floor feels like a mezzanine, rather than a completely enclosed, separate level. It has a sitting room with a productive home work area nearby. At the far end lies an open-concept bedroom with an open bathroom en suite offering an airy, expansive feel. An S-shaped privacy wall separates wet and dry areas, while the wash basin is slightly elevated to a comfort height. At the same time, brick flooring creates a vintage, rustic feel that goes hand in hand with the floor below.
With regard to interior decoration, the overall effect is impressive yet simple keeping only necessary furniture to reduce clutter. Natural, imperfect elements speak volumes for the homeowner’s passion for a raw feel in interior decoration. The same is true of the townhouse exterior that’s adorned with healthy trees and climbing vines offering aesthetic, environmental and practical benefits.
Together they serve as natural privacy screens while providing year-round noise reduction and protecting the townhouse from heavy rain, wind, harsh sun and extreme temperatures. In short, all of these factors combine to establish the character of tropical design that relies on passive cooling, proper ventilation and blurring indoor-outdoor boundaries to create healthier, more pleasant living.
Architects: OTCQ Architects
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