Cover A street perspective reveals how this hillside home steps up the terrain
A street perspective reveals how this hillside home steps up the terrain
1 / 1
This five-level hillside home by MK Looi Architect in Country Heights Damansara transforms challenging terrain into an architectural advantage, creating spaces that climb through the forest canopy
In Country Heights Damansara, one of Kuala Lumpur’s last remaining green enclaves, a 12,000-sq-ft hillside home occupies a steep slope across five levels. Designed by MK Looi Architect for a small family who work from home, the house treats its challenging topography as a design possibility rather than an obstacle.
“The sloping site was both a challenge and an opportunity,” says Looi Mun Kit, the firm’s director. “Standing at the highest point during our first site visit, we were struck by the unbroken horizon. That instant crystallised the design approach: to choreograph the journey upward through the house as a sequence of spatial revelations."
Read more: VanaVasa Eco-Resort: Luxury meets sustainability in Janda Baik, Malaysia
Above Street view of the hillside home showing the stacked concrete volumes with timber screening elements, perforated boundary walls, and the natural slope rising behind the property
Street view of the hillside home showing the stacked concrete volumes with timber screening elements, perforated boundary walls, and the natural slope rising behind the property
1 / 1
The hillside home starts at street level with a two-storey entry volume. From there, it climbs through three additional levels containing five bedrooms, dining areas, a kitchen, and family lounges. The lower spaces feel contained and sheltered, while upper levels open progressively to capture panoramic views across the surrounding greenery.
Folding glass doors completely open the interior to the pool deck, with the timber ceiling extending outward to create covered outdoor living areas
1 / 2
An internal courtyard anchors the design. “The courtyard typology is reinterpreted here not as an enclosed void but as an open spatial incision that invites full-height trees to grow through the house,” Looi explains. This vertical vent allows hot air to rise and escape naturally while drawing cooler air through the lower levels. It also filters daylight throughout the interior, reducing the need for artificial lighting.
The material palette strikes a balance between durability and comfort. Board-formed concrete meets the structural demands while creating texture where it interfaces with vegetation in courtyards and on the façade. Floor-to-ceiling glazing with an operable pane allows for cross-ventilation, framing stunning views of the landscape.
Don’t miss: How to furnish your home with Malaysian brands: a guide to local design
Above The curved marble staircase winds upward through floor-to-ceiling glazing that offers views down to the internal courtyard and surrounding forest
Above The sculptural marble staircase curves upward through the double-height foyer, with a large shell-inspired chandelier
The curved marble staircase winds upward through floor-to-ceiling glazing that offers views down to the internal courtyard and surrounding forest
1 / 2
Natural teak panels, crafted by Indonesian craftsmen, counter the hardness of the concrete. Applied to ceilings, walls, and custom furniture, the timber was chosen for its resistance to humidity and ageing properties. In double-height spaces, timber ceilings reduce perceived scale and absorb sound.
Environmental strategies significantly influenced the architecture, extending beyond material choices. The central courtyard enables what Looi calls “controlled transparency” - balancing natural light and airflow with privacy. The design preserved most of the original slope, minimising excavation and maintaining the site’s ecological systems.
Read more: 8 stunning contemporary homes in India that blend tradition, innovation, and sustainability
The main living area features timber ceilings with integrated lighting and shell-inspired chandeliers, opening directly to the pool terrace through floor-to-ceiling glazing.
1 / 3
Earth-toned travertine marble floors run throughout the main interiors, their mineral texture complementing the timber palette. The stone maintains visual continuity between spaces while handling the humid climate.
The hillside home’s focal point sits at mid-level: an infinity-edge pool suspended above the treetops. “This horizontal plane of water becomes both a sculptural statement and a serene retreat—a place where the built form seems to dissolve into the surrounding landscape,” Looi notes. The pool and its adjacent courtyard function as the home’s primary gathering space.
See also: Discover Soori Penang: how SCDA's Soo Chan reimagined his childhood home as a luxury heritage hotel
Above Timber ceiling planes define different zones within the open-plan living space, while travertine marble floors extend throughout the interior
Above A view from the internal courtyard shows the timber staircase ascending to upper levels, with the lift shaft visible alongside the sculptural concrete elements
Timber ceiling planes define different zones within the open-plan living space, while travertine marble floors extend throughout the interior
1 / 2
The ground-level internal courtyard viewed from the main living area
1 / 2
Architectural details direct attention outward. The master suite features a glass-box bathroom with a one-piece projection that offers unobstructed views. Around the central courtyard, concrete fins provide shade and privacy while creating shifting light patterns throughout the day.
The completed hillside home has transformed the way the family lives. They describe how natural light and ventilation vary throughout the day, and how the elevated position maintains a constant visual connection with the greenery. The indoor-outdoor transitions have altered daily routines, encouraging more time spent in shared spaces.
Don’t miss: Malaysia and Singapore’s Art Deco legacy: Buildings that tell stories
A multi-level interior view shows the sculptural marble staircase ascending through glazed volumes, with timber ceilings providing acoustic softening in double-height spaces
1 / 3
The clients note that the integrated landscape has shifted their evening habits. Rather than seeking entertainment elsewhere, they increasingly remain in how, where it has become their preferred retreat.
For the architects, this hillside home reinforced their interest in adaptive design: “Over time, buildings evolve with their occupants and context, and we see that as part of the architecture’s life rather than a flaw in its inception.”
NOW READ
David Rockwell on 40 years of global restaurant design: From Nobu to W Hotels and beyond
Home tour: Contemporary Ibiza finca blends traditional architecture with modern interior design
Credits
Photography: Tag Studio92
Topics
Best of Tatler Asia video highlights
Featured videos from around Tatler Asia: Get exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the interviews we do, the events we attend, the shoots we produce, and the incredibly important people who are part of our community
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.
