Cover The large shutters are a defining architectural feature
The large shutters are a defining architectural feature
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This family residence by S/LAB 10 in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, opens up to the great outdoors
The final result of this project is a far cry from its starting point. The S/LAB 10 team was initially brought on board to work on a two-storey corner link house. However, it quickly became apparent to everyone involved that the plot of land and existing structure imposed too many limitations on the imagination.
Hao Wang, co-founder of S/LAB 10, notes: “The space wasn’t enough to cater to the lifestyle they were looking for”. The clients—a couple with their two teenage children—wanted to set their sights on something bigger. And so the hunt was on for a piece of land that would accommodate the family’s dreams.
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Park and recreation
Above The lush parkland feels like a seamless part of this home
The lush parkland feels like a seamless part of this home
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Eventually, the perfect location offered itself up: Leisure Farm, Johor. This development is a gated community in Iskandar Puteri and boasts pristine forest reserves.
As for the property, there was plenty of space to work with, extending as it does over 150 square metres. It was completely untouched land, so the design team was able to build the whole concept from the ground up.
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The pool reflects the lush surroundings
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Even beyond the confines of the property, there was an added sense of openness since the site backed onto an idyllic stretch of parkland with a lake and tree groves. Wang shares the excitement he felt: “The moment we visited the site, we knew we were going to incorporate the parkland as part of the house.”
From this germ of an idea, an overarching concept emerged. The design would take full advantage of the natural setting to celebrate the joys of a “backyard lifestyle”. In other words, Wang explains, “we decided to make the ‘back’ (rear side of the site) become the ‘front’ (activities and opening for views)”.
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Above Large wooden shutters are anchored at different degrees of opening
Above Wood was a deliberate choice
Large wooden shutters are anchored at different degrees of opening
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Naturally enough, the “backyard lifestyle” concept would take inspiration from the layout of a typical Australian house. This direction was informed by the designers’ own background and experience.
Wang shares: “We have lived in Australia for over 10 years and appreciate the freedom and privacy of the backyard lifestyle.” Coupled with the backyard is a courtyard that also contributes to the architectural concept.
Wang expands on the idea: “Both yards share two very similar elements: ‘privacy’ and ‘openness’. These are two words that seem contradictory to each other but we believe can be achieved with creative design.”
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Comfort zone
Above Built in shelving follows the dramatically shaped roofline
Built in shelving follows the dramatically shaped roofline
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One advantage of developing the indoor-outdoor dynamic is that this concept operates both on an aesthetic as well as on a practical level. The rotating louvred shutters facing onto the backyard are a case in point. This double row of wooden panels feels almost monumental in the way that it stretches from one end to the other of the rear façade.
The amplified scale has a real visual impact. At the same time, the shutters were crafted in such a way that they offer a high level of control in terms of responding to the sun’s glare. Wang explains: “we designed these shutters to anchor at different degrees of opening, adding more fun with variations of the façade and allowing the users to adjust them.”
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Above The central courtyard was designed to promote natural sunlight and ventilation
The central courtyard was designed to promote natural sunlight and ventilation
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Another way in which the house responds to its tropical setting is in its extensive use of cross-ventilation as a green feature. The direction of the overall airflow was a major consideration here. As the wind passes over the swimming pool, it cools naturally before entering the central courtyard.
Warm air then rises from the courtyard and filters out through the slatted covering above. This covering is itself a distinctive visual element: its circular shape contrasts playfully with the more foursquare outline of the rest of the building.
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Whimsical furniture adds playfulness to the home
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Materials were chosen so that they would match the clients’ preferred approach of comfortable minimalism. An emphasis was placed on sourcing durable materials with a neutral colour palette.
For the common areas, the designers opted for custom-made terrazzo because of its “timeless style”. And for the sleeping areas, they went for oak timber floors “to create warmth and calmness”.
Design for life
Above Seamless indoor and outdoor living
Seamless indoor and outdoor living
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A real sense of personality pulls the whole design together. Besides the geometry of the courtyard covering and the reversal of ‘back’ and ‘front’, there is also a playfulness to be found in the trapezoidal window overlooking the common area, the vertiginous diagonal of the bookcase in the study, and the ribbon-like white bannisters and railings.
The quirky approach is carried over into the common area through the choice of furniture from local brand Big Brain, which is represented here by pieces that play on unexpected shapes and bright colours.
Above Warm air filters through the slatted covering above the courtyard
Warm air filters through the slatted covering above the courtyard
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Of course, the most important contribution to the personality of the residence is made by the inhabitants themselves. The layout of the interior has thus been put together so that interactions are nurtured but not forced.
Wang points out that “the family area is large and open enough to offer different spaces for family members to spend time together with a degree of privacy”. For instance, the dining area has an uninterrupted view of the common area across the courtyard, but each of these three zones is still distinct from the others. The result is a quality of relaxed togetherness.
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Above Trapezoid windows were added
Trapezoid windows were added
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The clients are now completely at home. Wang describes a visit to this idyllic space: “The kids are taking swimming lessons in the long pool and meeting with their home tutor in the family area. We sit down at the courtyard lounge area for tea, feeling the breeze sweeping from the park to the pool and all the way inside the courtyard area.”
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