Nature Preserved

CY Chan Architect’s award-winning Twinkle Villa in Tanarimba, Janda Baik, is as impressive in its design as it is in its green agenda.

- Jennifer Choo

WHO

Currently being rented out on Airbnb, fits 9 people comfortably

HOME

Detached villa in the middle of virgin forest  

SIZE

8,500 sqf

In 2016, Persatuan Arkitek Malaysia’s decision to not recognise any project submitted for their annual awards with a gold medal sent an unequivocal message to the profession. The reason the jury gave was that they “looked not only at the design of the buildings, but also how they contributed to the state of Malaysian architecture, in terms of how architecture responds to the surrounding environment and Malaysian climate” and nothing came up to the mark.

This year, the stalemate was broken by Cy Chan Architect with a private residence called Twinkle Villa in Tanarimba, Janda Baik. The villa was also awarded Building of the Year, Malaysia’s highest architectural honour established in 2014 and, including this year, has only been awarded twice. The jury was effusive in its praise, applauding it for “conversing eloquently with the idyllic forest and responding climatically to the setting”. The Awards Jury went on to say: “Hard on the external appearance, it transforms and opens up dramatically towards the woodlands while unravelling the charming and delightful ambience of a retreat within.”