Cover The dining area in this bungalow connects visually to both the kitchen and living spaces, with large windows providing lush green garden views
The dining area in this bungalow connects visually to both the kitchen and living spaces, with large windows providing lush green garden views
1 / 1
Pins Design Studio’s eco-conscious, sustainable bungalow in Selangor combines neutral tones, sustainable materials, and bespoke furniture to create a family home that prioritises environmental responsibility
Pins Design Studio received a brief that many Malaysian designers recognise: clients who wanted environmental responsibility without sacrificing comfort. The resulting sustainable bungalow in Sungai Buloh, Selangor, takes a straightforward approach to what could have been a complicated brief.
The ground floor operates as connected spaces—living, dining, and kitchen areas that flow together without partition walls. Carmen Ng, lead designer at Pins Studio, built this continuity through a restricted colour palette. “We employed neutral tones such as white, grey, and black to create a clean and bright atmosphere,” she explains. The treatment creates what she describes as a visual connection that links the open spaces “into a cohesive whole.”
Read more: Embracing warm minimalism: Beyond austerity in interior design
The open-plan ground floor with neutral tones of white, grey, and black create a cohesive whole
1 / 2
The living area features a single black wall that Ng says creates “depth whilst fusing a grounded sense of harmony to the overall space.” These solid black surfaces provide the room’s anchor point, establishing visual weight in what could otherwise feel unmoored.
Beyond this darker backdrop, the dining and kitchen areas look onto the garden, where Selangor’s dense vegetation provides what Ng calls “lush green views of the exterior garden.”
See also: Biophilic luxury: 7 stunning nature-integrated resorts
The living area's solid black feature wall creates depth and visual harmony, contrasting with the lighter dining and kitchen areas
1 / 2
Material choices favour durability over drama. Cream marble surfaces are applied where needed and finished to various textures, depending on their intended use. Ng describes this as creating “a lighter and more minimalist touch to create a vibrant atmosphere”, the vibrancy coming from light reflecting between surfaces rather than bold patterns or colours. These polished surfaces work alongside the sleek marble to “instil” what she calls a minimalist sensibility throughout the ground floor.
Don’t miss: Unbridled luxury: Inside a six-figure ultra-luxe horsebox conversion
The flowing connection between living and dining areas demonstrates the project's emphasis on functionality harmonising with beauty
1 / 3
“Taking inspiration from the client’s requirements for a more eco-conscious living space, this residence embodies a sublime design ethos that blends simplicity and sustainability whilst ensuring a luxurious outcome,” Ng explains. Her intention, she says, “extends beyond mere aesthetics” to “enhance the quality of life for the occupants by creating living spaces that harmonise functionality with beauty.”
Read more: Malaysia and Singapore’s Art Deco legacy: Buildings that tell stories
This view captures the complete open-plan ground floor
1 / 3
Environmental considerations shaped every decision from the start. This sustainable bungalow integrates what Ng describes as “eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient appliances, and sustainable design practices” to address the clients’ environmental concerns. These weren’t additions to the design, but rather fundamental to its development.
Above The kitchen island features sleek marble surfaces and minimalist cabinetry, with built-in storage that maximises functionality.
Above The wet kitchen showcases the cream marble surfaces with integrated gas cooking and sleek upper cabinetry
The kitchen island features sleek marble surfaces and minimalist cabinetry, with built-in storage that maximises functionality.
1 / 2
Furniture selection followed practical logic. "We opted for a predominantly minimalist furniture collection,” Ng notes. “Each high-quality piece is thoughtfully selected to offer comfort whilst meeting the functional needs of the residents.” Items were chosen for long-term use rather than immediate visual impact, supporting the sustainable bungalow’s broader commitment to thoughtful consumption.
Don’t miss: David Rockwell on 40 years of global restaurant design: From Nobu to W Hotels and beyond
The compact wet kitchen layout maximises the available space with curved cabinetry and marble surfaces
1 / 2
Upstairs, the layout allows for more specific programming. The master bedroom continues the ground floor’s material approach whilst incorporating what Ng calls “sustainable materials for its soft furnishing.” The space “maintains the eco-stylish effect with a neutral-toned colour scheme” that extends the ground floor’s palette into more private areas.
Read more: Home tour: a historical mansion in Buckinghamshire, England infused with global flair
The upstairs living area features elegant wood flooring and modular grey seating, positioned to capture natural light from the expansive windows
1 / 3
A secondary living area on the first floor shows the project’s attention to bespoke solutions. Ng describes this space as showcasing “elegant wood flooring and a meticulously crafted TV cabinet that seamlessly extends into a bench.” This custom joinery enhances the space with what she calls “bespoke functionality and refined design”—built-in furniture that maximises the available space whilst providing storage and seating.
The master bedroom, viewed from another angle, showcases the neutral bedding and built-in headboard storage
1 / 4
The clients wanted personalisation throughout their home. This was achieved through “bespoke furniture, custom cabinetry, and personalised décor” that Ng says ensures “the home is a true reflection of their lifestyle.” The customisation extends beyond decoration to practical elements—storage solutions and lighting that respond to how the family actually lives. “Customisation is a key factor,” Ng notes, because the homeowners wanted “unique elements that reflect their personalities, preferences, and family dynamics.”
Don’t miss: 7 designer dining chairs that you’ll recognise from restaurants and dining rooms
Floor-to-ceiling windows embrace the greenery outside with wooden louvres providing privacy
1 / 3
The completed sustainable bungalow adopts a unique approach to suburban Malaysian living, striking a balance between environmental awareness and domestic comfort. Rather than making grand gestures, it applies consistent logic to material choices, spatial planning, and environmental systems.
Read more: 7 distinctive mid-century modern hotels in Asia for design lovers
A guest bedroom features warm wood cabinetry and floating shelves
1 / 4
What Ng calls a “sanctuary of simplicity” works through accumulated detail rather than singular moments, creating spaces that function well for daily use whilst maintaining environmental credentials that matter to the owners.
NOW READ
9 greenest skyscrapers in Asia
Shaun Killa: the architect reshaping Dubai’s beachfront story
Home tour: Eclectic Kuala Lumpur apartment blends design pieces with bold materials
Credits
Photography: TWJPTO
Topics
Best of Tatler Asia video highlights
Featured videos from around Tatler Asia: Get exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the interviews we do, the events we attend, the shoots we produce, and the incredibly important people who are part of our community
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.
