Designing a home from the ground up is a unique opportunity to build a home specifically to its residents' requirements. Here are five stunning examples.

1. A modern tropical bungalow built on a triangular site

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Lawrence Choo

This large but triangular-shaped piece of land in Shah Alam posed an architectural challenge as all 15,300 sq ft of it had slopes surrounding two out of three of its boundaries, and came with restricted access and orientation.

Choo Gim Wah Architect was commissioned to undertake the project, and after digesting the client's brief, he decided to place the building strategically at the rear end of the plot.

Tatler Asia

This placement was chosen for its efficiency, especially with a linear spatial layout. And whatever safety concerns were overcome with the appropriate architectural and engineering efforts.

Another advantage of the building placement was how it allowed for a generous amount of area for landscaping as the client loved greenery and could have plenty of space to curate his plants and trees.

Read more here.

Don't miss: 6 Tips for Creating the Ultimate Relaxing Bedroom

 

 

2. An eco-friendly home celebrating the family’s lifestyle

Tatler Asia
Above Photos: Rupajiwa

A faithful client of Seshan Design since Ramesh Seshan started as a one-man firm back in 2008 asked the firm to the requirements for privacy and security, and be large enough to fit a 20m lap pool. The chosen site was a long narrow lot measuring 10,375 sq ft and three metres higher than the entry road, making it ideal for a sub-basement car park.

Tatler Asia
Tatler Asia

For privacy, the pool was aligned to the south since the neighbour at that end had built away from the boundary, thus resulting in an inverted L-shaped building. The clients comprise a sociable family who are into yoga and rock climbing. To cater to this, the ground floor was designed to entertain large crowds with a large foyer leading to the gym cum pool deck or open double volume living room, which further opens to the dining and kitchen beyond.

Read more here.

Don't miss: 4 Inspiring Wellness and Self-Care Spaces in Kuala Lumpur

 

3. A home with lush green space on each floor

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Lin Ho

A home designed to fulfil the requirements of a family with three grown-up children, Design Collective Associates, was commissioned to create a house set on a relatively small piece of 785 sqm land.

The designers had to ensure enough personal spaces for each family member with their schedules and work time while having common living spaces that allowed the family to bond and come together.

 

Tatler Asia

A comfortable amount of open space and gardens were impossible to include given the land size and the basic needs of the five adult residents, which had room for all of their cars.

To overcome this, the solution was planting on slabs and rooftops to make up for the lack of garden areas.

Read more here.

Don't miss: 5 Fabulous Family-Friendly Homes In Asia

4. A modern colonial-style home for a young family

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: David Yeow

Domaine Architects designed the site for a small young family of four in a corner lot measuring approximately 9,600 sq ft. Inclined with a significant level difference of over 9m from the highest to the lowest end, the challenges of its unusual shape are mitigated by its lush surroundings.

Working with the sloping site, the house comprises three levels with a basement level which houses a car park and room for the owner’s collection of motorbikes. All communal areas like the living and dining rooms and the outdoor patio area are located on the ground floor, while private spaces like the bedroom are confined to the second floor.

'gallery right' 'gallery right'
'gallery right' 'gallery right'
Photo 1 of 2
Photo 2 of 2

In line with the client's request for a colonial-inspired home, the house is composed of fair face red clay and white-washed bricks, white-washed walls and timber ceilings, clear glass Naco louvres and concrete ventilation blocks.

Generously proportioned windows and strategically planned openings fill the interior spaces with an abundance of natural light with views out towards the corner courtyard and greenery. 

Read more here.

Don't miss: 5 Most Expensive Condominiums and Penthouses Sold in Kuala Lumpur

 

5. An architect's loft-like home with space for cats

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Creative Clicks and Lin Ho

Architect and co-founder of Design Collective Architects, Chan Mun Inn designed his own home on a piece of 9,000 sq ft land adjacent to a forest reserve with his cats in mind.

The house needed sufficient space for the couple to work at home and ample and secure indoor/outdoor space for the cats to roam freely.

 

'gallery right' 'gallery right'
'gallery right' 'gallery right'
Photo 1 of 2
Photo 2 of 2

The ground floor is isolated as a working area, while the living quarters are on the upper floor with two bedrooms and a large open terrace. The large open deck has a sliding gate which provides the cats with a large outdoor area within the house to roam freely and securely.

The sloping roof provides a double volume space and terminates at the large picture window in the bedroom that frames the views of the adjacent forest and hills.

Read more here.

NOW READ:

Home Tour: A Modern House in Singapore Designed by RT+Q Architects and Peter Tay Studio

Why Artwork and Decorative Objects Do Not Affect Feng Shui

Home Tour: A Terrace Home in Johor Celebrating Luxury and Nature

Topics