Cover The cladded facade gives the home an air of privacy
The cladded facade gives the home an air of privacy
1 / 1
Inspired by the Japanese concept of Kazokuburu, EDI Architects created a serene family home imbued with sincerity, simplicity, and silence
In a residential enclave in Kuala Lumpur, EDI Architects (Essential Design Integrated) has created a bespoke home that is an ode to familial unity. The Japanese concept of Kazokuburu shaped the ideation and crafting of this home, an approach that revolves around the family and how the rituals of bathing bond family members together.
“The design wraps itself around the culture and aesthetics of a Japanese ‘onsen’, adopting a minimalist approach to design and a neutral and soft palette of natural materials,” explains Chan Mun Inn, architect and co-founder of EDI Architects. “Built on a small and tight site, the design plays with fluid tectonics that flows from the external clad façade into the internal living spaces.”
Read more: Superstar designer Kelly Wearstler on curiosity and innovation in her maximalist work
The design takes on the sincerity of Japanese architecture with material expressed in natural hues and textures
1 / 2
From its modest footprint of 5,740 sq ft, the site is nestled amidst a landscape of mature bungalows; as such, the architectural narrative unfolds with an inward gaze, a deliberate embrace of intimacy and familial connection amidst a bustling urban backdrop.
At its core lies a meticulously orchestrated interplay of form and function—a gridded plan enveloping a triple-volume void that serves as both nexus and lungs of the home.
See also: Home tour: A family home that embodies Filipino craftsmanship and natural beauty
The interiors showcase a soft neutral palette with natural materials and light
1 / 3
This vast heart fosters visual and auditory communion across floors while facilitating natural ventilation, elegantly underlining the symbiotic relationship between design and sustainability.
Voids and volume play include a transparent glass bridge that allows for connectivity between rooms, stairways and corridors.
See also: Home tour: A dreamy holiday home on the idyllic Greek island of Antiparos
Volumetric play within the 3 storey home ensures that family members remain in constant visual and audial contact
1 / 4
Within this sanctuary of simplicity, corners are chamfered, edges softened as if to blur the boundaries between inside and out.
The façade flows seamlessly, an unbroken continuum that wraps around the dwelling, inviting light and air to dance within. Such fluidity extends inward, where fillet walls and rounded corners evoke a sense of boundless spaciousness within a compact footprint.
Don’t miss: Home tour: A holistic penthouse in Norway inspired by the Japanese wabi-sabi philosophy
Fillet walls and rounded off corners flow from corridors to rooms and open spaces
1 / 3
This serenity extends to the natural materials’ expression in natural hues and textures.
Natural ventilation and daylighting enhance the layout's simplicity, while light, soft hues provide a sense of tranquillity and spaciousness in a compact and tight site.
Read more: Explore three distinctive heritage properties in Penang, Selangor and Melaka, Malaysia
A Japanese-style family onsen is incorporated into the first floor of the house and is used as a family activity regularly
1 / 4
Yet, beyond its architectural finesse lies the soul of Kazokuburu—the family onsen, a sacred space where the household gathers to cleanse both body and spirit.
Incorporated into the first floor of the house, the space is regularly used by the whole family. Here, familial bonds are forged amidst the soothing embrace of warm waters, a ritual that transcends the mundane to become a cornerstone of daily life.
NOW READ
4 luxury hotels in Japan to visit for a modern ryokan experience
Milan Design Week 2024: 10 key pieces to elevate your home
15 best green homes in Malaysia
Credits
Photography: Wong Sze Ming
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.
