Cover The highest floor features a sunken living room which was converted from a swimming pool
The highest floor features a sunken living room which was converted from a swimming pool
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Studio BBB's Kuala Lumpur penthouse for an expat couple was inspired by their Middle Eastern roots
Located within the enclave of Wangsa Maju, a bustling township in the northeast of Kuala Lumpur, this penthouse was in a development surrounded by tremendous lush greenery with majestic views of rolling hills that form the Titiwangsa mountain range.
The duplex penthouse was a bare unit with an airy and naturally lit double-height atrium in the centre, where the living and dining are located. At approximately 7,000 sq ft in total, the existing layout was designed to have most of the sleeping quarters on the lower floor, with the top floor holding spaces to entertain and two outdoor areas that capture the best views from the unit.
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Layered spaces within the interior
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The owners are a Middle Eastern couple who chose Malaysia as their second home and make visits two to three times annually. The allure of the unit lies in its breathtaking panoramic vistas, a feature that captivated not only the owners but also resonated strongly with the designers, Studio BBB, which the couple discovered through the developer’s recommendation.
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Above Lodes lights are a focal point
Above The impressive dining hall
Lodes lights are a focal point
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The overall design direction was informed by this need to inject a sense of individuality and create a narrative that echoes the client’s love and pride for their country.
“Our approach to the interior has been greatly influenced by the idea of amalgamating contemporary design elements with our interpretation of the landscape found in the client’s home country to create a home that is meaningful and timeless,” states Boon Man Phum, co-founder and design principal of Studio BBB.
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The living room
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“Mountain striations, sensual desert curves and rugged wadis (the Arabic term for river valley) were all strategically translated and expressed in architectural forms, materiality and colour scheme as a celebration of that rich and diverse landscape,” continues Ben Tay, co-founder and design principal of Studio BBB.
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Above The powder room
Above Stainless steel detailing
The powder room
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This inspiration is expressed from the first impression of the arrival at the lift lobby.
Cladded with panels sprayed in a bronze coating, which alludes to the desert as a vehicular medium, the same bronze coating is used again on two identical feature panels that line both sides of the staircase leading upstairs, subtly referencing the desert.
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Earthy colour palette
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Also visible upon entering the house, a series of visually striking Rain pendant lights from Lodes adorn the double-volume atrium. “The deliberate clustering and layering of these serve as an artistic expression that emphasises the fluidity and harmonious design of the space,” opines Tay
Meticulous detailing continues throughout the space and even in the powder room, where the form of a custom moulded stainless steel vanity recalls a drinking well. This feature creates a sleek, elevated bathroom, especially against the Blue Roma quartzite.
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The bed was positioned for the best view
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The master bedroom also incorporates a spectrum of materials referencing a particular photo of the undulating desert the designers were inspired by.
“We interpreted the white stucco buildings through veneer wall claddings to form a neutral and tranquil base upon which other materiality could be layered. The veins from the green onyx and minerality from the green textured paint, reminiscent of the beachy coast with tranquil green water, bring a soft contrast to the otherwise muted wall panels,” states Phum.
“In the bathroom, the green onyx countertop is again juxtaposed against highly tactile Dekton slabs, delivering another dramatic focal point. We were drawn to the inherent beauty of tactile and timeless materials, and essentially being able to express the underlying narrative when used together constantly,” adds Phum.
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The bathroom contrasts a green onyx countertop with Dekton slabs
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In the son’s bedroom, positioning the son’s study table, which doubles as a bedhead in an “island” configuration, ensures the bed is facing outwards, capturing the best possible view.
“It also represents an interesting relationship between earthiness and warmth. The rawness of the silver travertine is quietly balanced by the warmth and playfulness of the burl veneer,” muses Tay.
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Dark green accents
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Two thoughtfully positioned outdoor spaces were created on the highest level to maximise the unit’s panoramic views. The designers ingeniously transformed one of these areas, previously housing a swimming pool, into a sunken lounge tailored to the client's preferences.
“This space is now a favourite spot; it is difficult not to be captivated by being outdoors with an almost unending scenery of skyline and mountains,” says Phum.
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Above Wood detailing
Above Textural contrasts
Wood detailing
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Now the project is handed over, the designers report that the client loves the space as their new home, which is a testament to authenticity: “To them, every corner embodies their back story, a harmonious blend of familiarity and novelty,” says Phum.
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Credits
Photography: TWJPTO
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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.
