Cover The home’s exterior showcases a striking blend of modern and tropical elements
The home’s exterior showcases a striking blend of modern and tropical elements
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MNSC Architects crafts a flexible, climate-responsive haven for three generations in Kuching, Sarawak
In Kuching, Sarawak, a striking residence on Jalan Urat Mata exemplifies modern tropical living. The house, designed by MNSC Architects, is a masterful blend of contemporary aesthetics and practical family living, spanning an impressive 11,150 sq ft.
Lau Ming Ngi, co-founder of MNSC Architects, who led the project alongside co-founder Thang Suh Chee, explains, “Our client requested a living space that could accommodate three generations and two pet corgis. We saw this as an opportunity to create a home that’s both expansive and intimate.”
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The home’s street-facing facade combines clean lines with creative screening elements, allowing glimpses of the interior while maintaining seclusion amidst lush greenery
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The house’s design is dominated by a sprawling horizontal layout crowned by a single oversized roof. “The varying wall heights create a striking silhouette,” Lau notes. “It’s a visual representation of the diverse family dynamics within.”
Upon entry, visitors are greeted by a central stairwell featuring a water element that offers a glimpse through the rear lawn. A stone feature wall adds textural contrast, creating what Lau describes as “a rich visual perspective that may awestruck visitors.”
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Above Geometric lattice details and overhanging eaves provide shade, while lush landscaping softens the clean lines
Above This sleek balcony marries form and function with its breeze block wall, providing both privacy and filtered natural light.
Geometric lattice details and overhanging eaves provide shade, while lush landscaping softens the clean lines
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Flexibility is a recurring theme throughout the home. The living room, equipped with glass folding doors, can transform from a private family space to an expansive entertainment area connecting to an outdoor patio and BBQ deck.
“These flexible layouts provide infinite opportunities to create unique experiences and memories with dear ones,” Lau explains.
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Above Natural light and ventilation are key factors in the design of this home
Natural light and ventilation are key factors in the design of this home
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The ground floor’s open plan eliminates traditional boundaries between family, dining, and kitchen areas, ensuring visual connectivity. Upstairs, a steel-grated walkway spans the exterior of the master bedroom, offering a unique vantage point.
“It works as a passageway and a balcony for the occupants to enjoy the external ambience without worrying about being seen or exposed to the harsh sun,” Lau says.
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Above The covered patio seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor living with slatted wood screens providing privacy and dappled light
Above The home’s exterior features sleek wood screens and a covered carport, blending modern design with lush landscaping for a harmonious tropical aesthetic
The covered patio seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor living with slatted wood screens providing privacy and dappled light
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Perhaps the most striking feature is the 2.5-meter-high rectangular vent block wall.
“With a dimension of 190 x 390 x 190/140, the blocks were arranged in which all blocks were mirrored to its adjacent blocks,” Lau details. “This creates an expressive yet pragmatic façade element.”
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Lush foliage frames the modern facade, creating a harmonious blend of nature and contemporary design
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The home’s design also prioritises climate responsiveness.
Operable interventions like folding doors and pivoted lattice screens allow for natural light and ventilation, enhancing thermal comfort in Kuching’s tropical climate.
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Above Greenery is clearly visible through the generous windows
Above Glass balustrades maintain an open feel, allowing natural light to flood the space
Greenery is clearly visible through the generous windows
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The first-floor entertainment room showcases the architects’ commitment to versatility.
“With sliding screens and glass doors, the space adapts to weather conditions and various functions,” Lau points out. “Whether it’s a movie night or a study session, sunny or rainy day, the room’s atmosphere can be tailored to maximise the experience.”
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The staircase ends in a serene reflecting pool
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“As ‘cool’ as the façade may seem,” Lau reflects, “House at Urat Mata is a house that embraces every possibility, a tropical home that compromises seclusion with inclusion, a family’s haven behind the wall.”
See also: Home Tour: A modern bungalow transformed into a wabi-sabi haven in Perlis, Malaysia
Above The home’s exterior showcases a striking blend of modern and tropical elements
Above The home’s exterior showcases a striking blend of modern and tropical elements
The home’s exterior showcases a striking blend of modern and tropical elements
1 / 2
The success of this thoughtful design was recently recognised at the PAM Awards 2024, where it secured a Silver award in the single residential category.
It is a shining example of how modern architecture can create spaces that are not just visually stunning but deeply livable and adaptable to the needs of a multi-generational family while respecting and responding to its tropical surroundings.
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Credits
Photography: Lau Ming Ngi
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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.
