Home tour: A luxurious Kuala Lumpur penthouse with sky-high views and a dashing arcade

The first step was to delineate the respective uses of the apartment’s three floors. The central floor was the main entry point, so having the living room there made sense. It then followed naturally that the upper floor would be for the bedrooms, and the lower floor for entertainment and sports.

Genius Loci took full advantage of the available dimensions by making the living room a grand focal point. This double-volume zone boasts unimpeded sightlines from one end to the other, airy ceiling space, and ample windows that look out onto the city. Dominating the space is a dramatic staircase that extends forward with bold diagonal lines. Kim shares that when visitors first encounter the living room, “they sometimes feel overwhelmed because they forget that this dynamic space is an apartment and not a bungalow”.

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In crafting the individual spaces within this residence, Genius Loci had to balance luxury and comfort while maintaining a clear point of view. It was essential that the project did not veer away from being a private residence, which must cater to the varied needs and tastes of the core family group. Kim mentions a sense of responsibility since he “had known the owners and their family for some time”.

Each area is thus carefully differentiated. There is, of course, a monumental living room with metallic glints and long, confident lines. But then this contrasts with the private spaces; the master and guest bedrooms exude a sense of restrained calm with their natural tones, while the child’s bedroom brings a playful touch with its circular cut-out windows.

Yet another range of moods is to be found on the lower floor. There is the sleek mystery of the dark colours in the bar area, the laidback vibe of the exposed brick in the arcade room, and the unconventionality of the curvy, angled sofa in the entertainment room.

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Lighting plays an important role in defining the mood of each space. The bedrooms may have unobtrusive recessed lights, but the lighting elsewhere is often quite spectacular. Note, for instance, the handcrafted crystal chandeliers specially commissioned from artists in Shanghai. In the living room, the ruffled curves of the lighting fixture add a hint of drama, while in the entertainment room, the ceiling lights take the form of a dynamic current of flowing bubbles.

Genius Loci focused on subtle details to ensure an elegant finish to the residence. Kim was adamant that one pitfall in particular should be avoided: “In large spaces, people often forget that details contribute to the neatness of how materials interact.” Thus, meticulous attention was paid to the corners and joints, and even to the curvature at the top of the bannisters. Kim shares that the design team was proud that they managed to hide the air-conditioning grilles almost entirely from view.

A lot of nuance was required in terms of the selection of the materials themselves. The living room, for instance, had to be treated thoughtfully since the clients had requested that the design team hold back on using rugs and carpeting here. The solution was to opt for Serpeggiante marble for the flooring. Laid out in an expansive checked arrangement, this fine-grained stone with its parallel veins introduces a sense of balance and order. Other materials in this space include timber veneers, chosen for their warm, woody glow, and mirrors, which help to give the space more depth.

As for the furniture, statement pieces were sourced from Italy, while most of the loose items were custom-made by local manufacturers. Dotted here and there throughout the whole penthouse are also quirky pieces that bring each room alive: one might pick out the gorilla stool, or the life-sized replica of Iron Man. These memorable items thoroughly embrace the spirit of joyful creativity that informs this whole project. After all, as Kim declares: “Great design should make you smile!”

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