Of Layers And Contrasts

The project is a new built, 4600sq ft built-up bungalow on a 7400sq ftland in SS3, one of the bigger residential suburbs of Petaling Jaya.

The clients were involved in the building industry and

The site didn’t pose any real problem as it was quite large and flat with no real major tree or vegetation to retain. There was an existing single storey bungalow on site which was demolished entirely. So basically, it was like a blank page with no site constraints. The main planning and orientation of the house was pretty much determined by the entrance and sun orientation: the pool and the public spaces of the house would face east, to get the morning sun. The other constraint/requirement was of course Feng Shui. Once a pretty workable layout was ready, the clients had to consult their Feng Shui consultant and the architects made a few tweaks to comply with the geomancy requirements.

We like to think we are very good at space planning and especially good at making small spaces look larger than they actually are. That’s one of the principles that the architects always try to adhere to—to have the minimum footprint as possible for the home while meeting all the space requirements. One of the tricks to make spaces look bigger is managing and maintaining the ‘line of sight’. We always try to enable the users to look from one space into the next and beyond. That’s why the double volume spaces and mezzanines are always encouraged. It enables all the levels of the house to interact visually with one another. Especially with homes with children; it’s always useful as you can always watch them wherever they are and shout at/for them. No excuse for them not hearing you.