Cover The CC House glows at dusk, with its signature cylindrical metal features illuminated against the purple-blue twilight sky
The CC House glows at dusk, with its signature cylindrical metal features illuminated against the purple-blue twilight sky
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Fabian Tan Architect transforms a Bangsar terrace house with pivoting ‘moon doors’, creating an ethereal play of light and shadow in urban living spaces
In Bangsar, a leafy suburb of Kuala Lumpur, Fabian Tan Architect has transformed a corner terrace house into an ethereal sanctuary. The CC House, it’s known, represents a bold reimagining of Malaysian residential architecture, where typical terrace house spaces merge with contemporary design elements to create what architect Fabian Tan calls “a living sculpture”.
“Architecture should surprise you,” says Fabian Tan, founder of Fabian Tan Architect. “In this home, we wanted to create moments of wonder through simple geometric forms.”
Read more: 14 terrace houses in Malaysia with amazing renovations
Above The distinctive curved metal facade above creates a dramatic architectural statement against the Kuala Lumpur skyline
Above Solar panels and landscaped gardens integrate sustainability with modern design
The distinctive curved metal facade above creates a dramatic architectural statement against the Kuala Lumpur skyline
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The 2,800 sq ft residence sits on a sloping corner lot, its clean white exterior walls curving gracefully around the street edge.
But it’s what lies above these walls that captures attention: a striking curved metal facade that serves as a prelude to the architectural poetry within.
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Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors open to a manicured garden, showcasing the house’s seamless indoor-outdoor flow
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The home’s pièce de résistance is undoubtedly its double-volume living room, which appears to float above the sloping garden. Crowning this space is what Tan refers to as his “moon doors”—two pivoting quarter-circle panels crafted from corrugated galvanised metal that form a perfect semicircle when closed.
“The moon doors are both functional and symbolic,” Tan explains. “They’re a portal to the sky, transforming how we experience interior space while maintaining privacy – a crucial consideration in urban Malaysian living.”
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Above Landscaping frames the contemporary white facade, creating a harmonious blend of natural and architectural elements
Above A sage green sofa and plush grey rug create a comfortable seating area that opens directly to the garden through full-height glass doors
Landscaping frames the contemporary white facade, creating a harmonious blend of natural and architectural elements
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The interior unfolds in a thoughtful sequence of split levels. From the entrance, where a guest suite is discretely tucked away, a few steps lead up to an open-plan dining and kitchen area. Here, sliding glass doors dissolve the boundary between inside and out, opening fully to a corner garden.
“We wanted to create a home that breathes,” says Tan. “The extended staircase, for instance, isn’t just for circulation – it’s a social space, a viewing platform, and a connector of levels, all in one.”
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The double-height living room showcases the curved metal wall detail, with a pendant light adding vertical emphasis to the space
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Attention to detail is evident in every corner of the home. A custom-made lever handle allows residents to adjust the moon doors with precision, controlling light and ventilation while creating ever-changing patterns of shadow across the interior spaces.
Tan notes that the mechanism was developed through multiple iterations to achieve the perfect balance of functionality and ease of use.
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The open-plan dining area seamlessly connects to the garden through floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors
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The renovation’s success lies in its restraint. While the original structure remains largely intact, strategic interventions have transformed the space into something entirely new.
“Good architecture doesn’t always mean starting from scratch,” Tan reflects. “Sometimes it’s about finding the poetry in what already exists and amplifying it.”
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The split-level interior showcases abstract artwork against white walls, while wooden steps and built-in storage maintain the home's minimal aesthetic
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The furnishings, curated by Ambient Living, complement the architectural elements with their understated elegance.
“The interior design had to respect the architecture while creating comfortable living spaces,” Tan notes. “Each piece was selected to enhance, rather than compete with, the dramatic play of light and shadow that defines the home.”
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A cosy reading nook offers panoramic views of the Kuala Lumpur skyline, featuring a sculptural black chair and plush sofa next to the staircase leading to the roof
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This interplay of light is perhaps most dramatic in the late afternoon, when the sun’s rays filter through the moon doors, casting intricate patterns across the living spaces.
“It’s like living within a sundial,” Tan muses. “The house marks time not just through these changing shadows, but through the way spaces transform as you move through them.”
See also: 7 stunning Brutalist homes redefining Southeast Asian architecture
The CC House glows at dusk, with its signature cylindrical metal features illuminated against the purple-blue twilight sky
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The result is a home that feels both grounded and ethereal, where everyday living spaces are elevated by architectural elements that seem to defy gravity.
In the heart of Kuala Lumpur, CC House embodies the possibility of finding wonder in the familiar.
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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.
