Cover The angular plot’s largest section has been transformed into a landscaped entertainment space that seamlessly connects with the interior through transparent walls
The angular plot’s largest section has been transformed into a landscaped entertainment space that seamlessly connects with the interior through transparent walls
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LNL has crafted a glass-and-concrete family home in Petaling Jaya that redefines indoor-outdoor living with floating architecture
In the bustling suburb of Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya, a striking contemporary residence, seems to defy gravity. Aptly named the Float-Box House, this three-story dwelling appears to hover above its landscaped grounds, challenging conventional architectural norms while exemplifying thoughtful, modern design.
“Upon our site visit, we were welcomed by an angular plot of modest size,” recalls Mun Kit Looi, director of LNL, who designed the home. “This constraint inspired us to design a home with blurred edges, striking a balance between living and outdoor spaces.”
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The Float-Box House in Kota Damansara appears to levitate above its landscaped grounds, with its transparent ground floor creating an illusion of weightlessness
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The 750 sq m property houses a family of four, including two children and an elderly parent, along with their three beloved dogs.
The residence represents a continued collaboration between the architect and the homeowner, a furniture retailer who has previously commissioned LNL for other projects, including a bungalow in Damansara.
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Striking volumes distinguish the Float-Box House
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The home’s most striking feature is its structural composition – a seemingly weightless ground floor topped by a more substantial upper volume. “
The design concept begins with a fundamental massing approach—a box—elevating the ground floor to achieve blurred edges,” Looi explains. “This elevation creates a floating appearance, enhancing the structure’s visual lightness and strengthening its connection to the surrounding landscape.”
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The building’s skeletal structure defines its form without extraneous elements
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To achieve this ethereal effect, the ground floor employs expansive glass panels with minimal framing, creating an almost invisible boundary between interior and exterior spaces.
In contrast, the upper portion of the home is deliberately designed to appear more substantial, utilising a concrete skeleton that provides both visual weight and structural integrity.
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Above Custom-designed furniture by the homeowner, who is also a furniture retailer, complements the home’s clean architectural lines and open-plan layout
Above Elegant furniture with simple lines were chosen to suit the architecture
Custom-designed furniture by the homeowner, who is also a furniture retailer, complements the home’s clean architectural lines and open-plan layout
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The architectural strategy particularly shines in its response to the client’s lifestyle. “Our vision for seamless interaction on the ground floor complements the client’s brief for his love of hosting events and watching his dogs roam from indoors,” says Looi.
The largest angular section of the plot has been transformed into a landscaped space that serves both as an entertainment area and a playground for the family’s dogs.
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Timber slats offer some screening and visual interest
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Inside, the five-bedroom home features an open-plan layout that maximises visual connectivity.
The furniture, much of it designed by the homeowner himself, complements the architecture's clean lines and modern aesthetic. Natural light floods the ground floor, creating an atmosphere that blurs the distinction between indoor and outdoor living.
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Custom-designed furniture by the homeowner, who is also a furniture retailer, complements the home’s clean architectural lines and open-plan layout
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The project wasn’t without its challenges. “Achieving this distinctive design required meticulous attention to detail,” Looi notes, “as any flaws in construction could compromise both the aesthetic and structural integrity of the entire structure.”
The team also faced the complex task of concealing mechanical and electrical services to maintain the home’s sleek appearance.
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Greenery is ever present in this home
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For Looi, the project’s success lies in its fundamental form.
“The skeletal structure itself defines the form of the building, devoid of extraneous elements. This approach not only highlights the purity of the design but also enhances the architectural narrative,” he reflects.
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Above Floor to ceiling glass windows
Above A bird-eye view of the surroundings
Floor to ceiling glass windows
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The homeowner, who has a long-standing relationship with LNL, is thoroughly pleased with the result.
The ground floor's transparency, combined with the upper volume's bold presence, creates a living space that perfectly balances openness with privacy, modernity with comfort, and architectural ambition with practical living.
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Photography: Pixelaw Photography
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Jennifer Choo is Regional Managing Editor of Tatler Homes, covering architecture, interior design, and art across Asia. Based in Malaysia, she oversees regional content on luxury residential design and contemporary art collections. Legally trained but choosing to pursue her passion for design, she previously led notable design publications and worked as an interior stylist and art consultant for property developers, design firms, and private clients.
