Cover View from the garden
View from the garden
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DrTan LM Architect’s renovation of a 1970s bungalow in Damansara Heights took home a Silver PAM Award 2023
A building with good bones is always worth salvaging. Rather than tearing a structure down, a well-planned renovation can revitalise and breathe new life into it.
Located in Damansara Heights, DrTan LM Architect was entrusted to take House No 16 from dated to contemporary for a young couple and their pets, a transformation which took home the Silver for the Single Residential category at the Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM) Awards 2023
The couple had acquired this old 1970s bungalow, which had been vacant for some time, and the brief was to refurbish and add new living spaces to accommodate their needs.
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The facade blends subtly with the surrounding greenery
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The existing two-storey bungalow had a small and simple rectangle plan. While it was constructed in a combination of RC slab flooring, it also had certain upper floor areas with timber joists and floorboards.
“This gave me opportunity to conceptualise a clean, modern intervention into the old structure whilst still achieving an industrial vibe,” explains Dr Tan, founder of DrTan LM Architect.
Above Foyer lattice detail
Above The foyer
Foyer lattice detail
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Along the longer length of the property boundary, the house has a 6-metre-high retaining wall, which provides good privacy and the opportunity to create a lively, colourful garden that integrates into the interior living spaces.
As such, a series of extensive garden views were opened into the existing walls to extend the lines of sight and bring the outdoor areas in.
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Koi pond within the pocket park
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To create a sense of arrival while providing space to park cars and a larger living area, the front section of the house was extended out with a new steel, raw brick and glass section.
Read more: Home Tour: An old Manila home is transformed into a spacious sanctuary to start life anew
Garden patio
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Now, the front yard is zoned into car parking and a private front lawn using a horizontal raw brick wall.
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Dining and garden
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Interiors were kept simple to focus on looking out to the surrounding lush landscaping and abundance of natural light.
The upstairs was redesigned to accommodate the new master bedroom, study, entertainment spaces and future room for children.
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Garden patio at dusk
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The overall exercise has resulted in a simple modern intervention that integrates all aspects of the site, gardens, retaining walls and the recycling of the existing building structure.
All in all, it is a textbook example of good tropical and green architecture.
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Credits
Photography: Lin Ho
Topics
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.
