/ Story: Ajchara Jeenkram, Wuthikorn Suthiapa / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Sitthisak Namkham /
For 40 years, this modest two-story home has stood in a residential neighborhood near Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Noise pollution has turned many people away, but the architect David Chan ofDesign Collective Architects (DCA) has grown so acquainted with living in the area that he decided to stay. A frequent flyer, he thinks it wise to live a stone’s throw away from it all.
No need to say renovation came as a challenge for Chan, who usually made a living designing larger houses. Strictly speaking he had a task that required great effort and was hard to accomplish: Create the good life in a space that was far from generous.
He started out with ventilation improvements. To bring in crisp, clean air, solid front doors were removed and replaced with steel wire mesh paneling. Meantime, blowholes were put into the exterior wall to facilitate heat dissipation and increase indoor thermal comfort.
Chan did a partial tear-down, turning the upper floor into a mezzanine. The result was a light and airy living space in an 80-square-meter townhouse with double high ceilings. Where appropriate, he added windows and other wall openings and painted everything white and soft shades of gray to make the interior appear larger than it was.
Design being so well thought out, who needs air conditioning?For security window bars, simply does it.
Despite it being a small townhouse, Chan added some much-needed patches of green to the design. He put a hole in the backyard floor and planted a leafy tree that was visible from the living room and bedroom.
The complete makeover went as planned. Chan and his family now live in a beautifully remodeled home in an expedient location in Selangor that best suit their specific needs. Incredible as it may seem, the tiny home is where life begins again, and love never ends.
/ Story: Ekkarach Laksanasamrith / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul /
With the creative use of design elements, this Minimalist house in Kuala Lumpur feels bright, airy and comfortable, albeit having only a small number of windows. The open concept urban home with a stylish flair was designed and built by Tony Heneberry of 2’s Company, formerly JTJ Design, under the concept of a great place to live in.
Growing trees add some freshness and makes the house more of a great place to live in.
As simple as that, here’s the story of a metamorphosis of purpose, in which a duo of unexciting shophouses transformed into an incredibly warm and roomy living space in the heart of town. After he had bought the two units attached to each other, Heneberry gave them a complete makeover, tearing down the dividing walls and combining them into one coherent whole with increased usable spaces inside.
Green foliage adds joy to cooking, making it feel like living out in nature.
The result is a 7-meter-wide façade looking much better than when Henebery found it. He removed the existing solid walls between them and assigned new functions to the interior spaces. The living room with dining area on the second floor is spacious, with a lot of open areas in accordance with the “open plan” concept.
Trees chosen for the center courtyard have medium-sized leaves to keep the house airy and not too dense.Using an “open plan” design means the interior is all connected, which avoids a cluttered look.The new set of stairs illuminated by a rooftop skylight is one of the spots everyone likes the most.
For practical reasons, the old staircases were torn down and replaced by new ones built in a better, more convenient location. The new sets of stairs crafted of steel sit in a hallway next to the center courtyard, leading the way to the second floor.
The courtyard is filled with trees, as a main relaxation area of the house, where a glimpse of outdoor experience is brought inside in harmony. The trees also create visual continuity by naturally drawing the eyes towards the interior.
The stair to the third floor is set in another location. It sits against the outer wall, to preserve the space inside, which is an area for work and rest.
[Above] The wooden roof truss painted all white makes the overhead space look taller and more spacious. / [Below] The new metal staircase is aesthetically pleasing, thanks to the absence of solid risers between the treads. For good ventilation, expanded metal grating is used instead.Natural light turns second-floor living and work spaces into a well-lighted place, plus high ceilings add an airy feel to it. The disadvantage that comes with having only a few windows is nicely compensated for by the creative use of design elements, rooftop skylights among them.
As for the ventilation system, hot air is able to float up through the hallway and then flows out through window louvers and vents on the rooftop.
Another plus is, this Minimalist urban home faces south. So, by putting planter boxes on window frames, a simple vertical garden is added to filter sunlight and enhance privacy for the people living inside. The bottom line. This newly renovated home is truly a breath of fresh air.
[Left] The hallway wall surface is covered with crushed concrete recycled from the old shophouses. / [Right] Lush green vertical gardening adds a refreshing change to the front façade rising above the carport.
/ Story: Panchat Changchan / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Rithirong Chanthongsuk /
The place called “Desa House” belongs to 49-year-old artist Leon Leong. Located in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, the artist house clearly stands out from the rest in a neighborhood characterized by ubiquitous townhomes.
Newly added is the sky garden that extends outward from the second-floor façade.
The most eye-catching feature is the lush sky garden that extends outward from the second floor. The structure also doubles as a carport roof. Green foliage adorns the front façade and functions as a privacy curtain.
The striking features remind us that we have reached our destination.
The sky garden platform, which doubles as a carport roof, is accessible from the second floor.
The bedroom and the studio are lit by natural light through a sliding glass that slides open to access the greenery. The same applies to the rear portion of the house, which opens to a backyard.
In the front and back, green foliage forms privacy curtains that effectively set the interior spaces apart from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Roof beams are clearly visible after ceilings are removed to make way for the new add-on.There is no need for electric lights as the interior is sufficiently illuminated by natural energy via the second-floor skylight and the main entrance. Lattice skylight crafted of concrete turns the second-floor living spaces into a well-lit place. /// Natural light illuminates the central court that the artist owner uses as his workstation.
The artist house’s aesthetic is achieved by putting in an add-on and other details to the existing structure.
Like other townhomes in the neighborhood, there is a central court that the occupants use for relaxation. But architect Wen Hsia of the WHBC Architects group has a better idea.
She transforms this centerpiece into something different. What used to be a seating area now becomes a lush landscape, where tall trees cast shadows on surrounding walls and much of the first floor.
It brings in the outdoor, and the atmosphere comes alive every time leaves blow in the wind. All day the light and sound show gives the artist homeowner the inspirations that he needs.
The interior spaces double as an art gallery, where Leon displays his beautiful works of art. The artist’s favorite spot is the bookshelves composed of concrete and wood frames.The perfect match for timeworn kitchen countertops and minimal raw wood furniture.
Leon needs plenty of light to create works of art, and he gets it all in the home studio.
To bring in natural light, the architect has tiled roofing replaced by lattice skylight, creating beautiful special effects. Concrete lattice casts striking shadow patterns everywhere.
It is cheaper, longer lasting, and easier to maintain than that made of wood. As night falls, the studio is aglow by electric light.
Interestingly the studio light alone is enough to illuminate the entire home.
The artist’s workstation is nestled underneath the stairway and behind the bookshelves. The living room shares space with the kitchen for added convenience. Tall trees provide a crisp, cool canopy to the backyard. Beach pebbles, concrete slabs, and a patch of manicured grass fill up the garden floor.
/ Story: Ekkarach Laksanasamrith / English version: Peter Montalbano /
/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul /
A lot of work and research was invested in this row house renovation project. The big question is: how to make the compact house look wider?
Home renovation: The project is accomplished without any concrete construction. The new second floor rests on cylindrical steel posts instead of big cement pillars.
Like most urban residential buildings in Vietnam, “3×9 House” was formerly a shophouse built a long time ago. Only recently it was restored to a good state of repair. Looking back over the years, the old place lacking fresh air and ventilation had only a few windows and lots of solid brick walls, which made the building look dim.
A bold move was needed to rejuvenate it. The result is a modern living space that looks and feels fresher, younger and more lively, plus it helps to lift up the mood of the residents.
The 3-by-9-meter house has become a point of interest by integrating natural features in the design.
As land prices in Vietnam continued to rise rapidly and steeply every year, buying a new house seemed like a formidable task. So the owner thought it wise to invest in renovating his existing home.
He reached out to A21 Studiofor their good reputations in the building industry, especially when it came to turning small, stuffy old houses into nice, uncluttered and environment-friendly homes.
Clay tiles are placed inversely on the entire interior walls to create a stripe pattern and unique touch.
Walk in the door, and the first thing that catches our eyes is a tree growing up through an opening in the footbridge set against the wall. It’s a sign of welcome warmly greeting visitors coming into the entryway. The overall effect is bright and airy, thanks in part to a rooftop skylight illuminating the interior living spaces and letting sunlight shine on the tree.
For indoor thermal comfort, openings in the walls let breezy wind enter through the front door and circulate inside the home. As a result of this, the entire interior feels fresh and full of life all the way to the rear section, the second floor and the room under translucent sliding panels on the rooftop.
Flanked by three-story row houses on both sides, “3×9 House” is exposed to direct sunlight only in the middle of the day. For the rest of the time, the home is full of nice cool shade, making it feel very comfortable, warm and cozy, so there’s no need for air-conditioning.
The steel framework supporting the roof is equipped with a sliding skylight. This effectively illuminates interior spaces and allows the tree to keep on thriving.For the health benefits of a well-lit home, the bedroom space connects to the footbridge with an opening for a tree to thrive under the rooftop skylight.Loft style ideas paired with earth-tone color make the simple bedroom feel open, airy and uncluttered, thanks in part to the absence of solid room dividers.A modern kitchen setup gets rid of smoke and smell fast, as a result of a range hood blower and openings in the rooftop.
For a bigger, more open vibe in the interior, solid room dividers are avoided, with the exception of the bathroom. The ground floor consists of a living room, dining area and kitchen; all connected.
The bedroom and leisure areas are upstairs. Since the homeowner lives alone, solid room dividers are of no use. In a nutshell, it’s about integrating natural features, openings in the walls and a good ventilation system in the overall design. That’s what makes it a good place to live.
A colorful mix of tiles are reminiscent of vernacular architecture.
/ Story: Warapsorn Akkhaneeyut / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Sitthisak Namkham /
Terraced houses are ubiquitous throughout Singapore, many of which are well preserved to showcase the country’s rich architectural heritage and history of British Colonial rule. Many of them have changed to better serve commercial and residential needs of the modern world. This handsome terraced house is no exception.
Part of the top floor becomes a small sky garden.
This terraced house belongs to Alan Barr and Phaswan Promphat, both of whom interior designers.
Alan has had experience living in big cities, such as New York, before the job sent him across the globe to settle in Singapore nine years ago. He didn’t arrive empty-handed, but with furniture and other prized possessions.
Over time Alan transformed the old townhouse into a trendy residential unit, incorporating a touch of New York in the prevailing climatic conditions of Singapore.
The spaces between Colonial-style arch windows are filled with bookshelves that stand tall from floor to ceiling.Part of the living room is remodeled into a workplace. The table is custom-made from discarded materials.
The home has a narrow front façade, but the narrow width is compensated by depth, a design feature typical of Sino-Portuguese architecture.
The front part has since been remade to accommodate lattice awnings from floor to ceilings. They serve as privacy curtains while shielding the interior from direct sunlight without limiting air circulation.
From the outside in, it looks like any two-story home. Step in, and you will find it is actually a three-story design.
The ground floor now serves as a carport and storage facility. A set of stairs takes us to the second floor, which is the living room and kitchen with a spacious dining area.
The home office is here, too. From the living room, there is another set of stairs leading to the bedroom on the third floor.
An armchair and a round coffee table adorn the relaxed living room in chocolate and cream tones.Antique-inspired décor items line the hallway leading to a relaxed living space in the rear of the building. A room with a corner sofa and a large coffee table has enough space to entertain a circle of friends. The backsplash is covered in ceramic tiles made to look like bricks.[left] The living room floor is covered in a patchwork of carpets crafted of donkey hide that is soft to the touch. [right] A niche under the staircase has enough room for a mini-bar.
Alan said, “This home used to be a design studio. The interior was just about right. It looked like a home, but it was not.
“At the time, it was an office and it had no kitchen. So when we got it, we had to put in one. I like the layout of this home very much. I divide it into two simple zones – general, and privacy.
“The top floor is served by two separate sets of stairs. The attic has since become an office. Space is divided to store decorative works on one side and use as a workstation on the other.”
Set in gray and black tones, the kitchen comes fully equipped with stainless steel fixtures. Dark colored backsplash adds a nostalgic vibe to the atmosphere. The stairway leads to the snug bedroom on one side of the upper floor.The staff’s office is located on the opposite side of the upper floor to ensure the residential area is not disturbed.
“The second-floor dining room serves multiple purposes, from eating and entertaining customers, to meetings and project presentations,” he continued.
“Personally, I don’t like an office hemmed in by glass walls supported by steel or other metal frames. Offices in much of Singapore are like that.
“I want a different kind of workplace, in which to impress the customers with different experiences. Most of them like it here, whether it is furniture or decorative items that we have on hand.”
The conference table and chairs are placed closer to the wall, lined with storage shelves.
As a whole, the interior spaces are neatly designed and well-appointed.
Décor items from various places are placed in perfect harmony with one another. As he puts it, good furnishings don’t always have to be expensive if you know how.
Alan has given this old terraced house a chic modern makeover with a hint of interest and personality.
The classic and retro style of the three-story, 750-square-meter rowhouse is an awesome makeover from what was once a printing facility owned by the family.
Mirrors are used on one side to make the interior seating space seem larger. A plush leather upholstered sofa in dark hues contrasts with an aerial white cutout ceramic stool in Oriental style. The floor is covered with alternating gray and black granite tiles in the herringbone pattern. A rich array of terrarium adds life to the ambiance.
Much of the structure of this classic and retro style house is kept intact, except some parts of the wall that are removed to make way for optimal space utilization. In the process, the main entryway is relocated for added convenience. As the owners, Worapong and Sukanya Suwatpim put it:
“We built this row house duplex ourselves. The design is based on slightly different dimensions compared to those standard-sized row buildings. Our rectangular-shaped plot happens to be much longer than it is wide. In remodeling the living spaces, the main entrance that used to be on the front is relocated to the long side. It is more convenient that way.”
The second-floor living spaces feature open studio design with all amenities for comfortable living. Glass siding on the exterior walls lets natural light pour into space during daytime.
The ground floor offers parking spaces for classic cars that make parts of his collections. There are areas for hobbies and creative workspace surrounded by unadorned concrete finishes and hand-hewn, bare brick walls. Metal detailing is painted black, paired with cool retro-style furniture. The well-conceived combination adorns the interior spaces that obviously speak to retro-Industrial style.
The second floor features ample seating spaces, dining area, kitchen and a bedroom, which comes in cool classic style, and yet not too sweet.
Plans are afoot to turn the third-floor spaces into a gallery of many antique clocks that the homeowners have collected over many years.
The dining space and adjoining pantry boast Classic appeal with a mix-and-match approach to interior decoration. Victorian wood chairs and a crystal chandelier contrast with the black and white tile floor in a diamond pattern, adding even more interest to the room.
The couple has preferences for different interior decorating in classic and retro styles. This is where the designer, Paisal Chongprasobtham, comes in to create a welcome contrast in the interior living spaces, ones that are aesthetically pleasing despite different natures, luminance and color.
Sharing his thoughts, Paisal said:
The real kitchen that gets used every day comes with beautiful tile in-laid kitchen cabinets. Antique tile patterns add a unique touch to the atmosphere.The bathroom is perfectly adequate for two users at the same time. Double vanities beneath the granite countertop provide plenty of storage for bathroom supplies. The entire backsplash is covered in glass-bedecked with a pair of exquisite, jewel-like French mirrors
“Worapong prefers the raw rustic look that is the way of men, while Sukanya wants her design simple, and yet appealing by its very nature. So I give the ground floor unsophisticated look by incorporating features that are attractive, and yet unrefined. The interior walls show steel and bare bricks after plaster covering has been removed.
“I try to make the two interior styles of the classic and retro style go hand in hand by using dark shades like black and gray as connecting agents. Meantime, wood furniture comes in natural tones with an emphasis on simplicity, and yet cool. The kitchen counter is adorned with classic woodcarving patterns, making the atmosphere highly agreeable. The bedroom is given to luxury, no doubt the most comfortable and relaxing in every sense of the word.”
Leather-upholstered headboard and footboard in soft hues serve as statement pieces inside the master bedroom. Adorned with antique brass nail heads, they contrast with the bluish gray tone of decorative beading on the wall.
Being a much-traveled person, Sukanya is the one who chooses all of the decorating items. The job as a flight attendant has taken her to Europe often. And she particularly likes going to the flea market, out outdoor events selling secondhand goods.
A walk-in closet offers overhead shelves for rarely used accessories. A full-size mirror at the far end adds depth to the well-styled personal space.
“Both of us want a home with the Western appeal, but not to the extent of Louis style. And it must not be too sweet. With this job, I get to see and stay in nice hotels. I collect décor items that I like and adapt them to best suit our home.
A glass front armory features private collections including Fornasetti graphic plates.A handcrafted dresser and rustic mirror find their perfect spots in the space between the bathroom and walk-in closet.
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![[Above] The wooden roof truss painted all white makes the overhead space look taller and more spacious. / [Below] The new metal staircase is aesthetically pleasing, thanks to the absence of solid risers between the treads. For good ventilation, expanded metal grating is used instead.](http://livingasean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/4.jpg)
