Cover Materials were selected to give the house an earthy tone with a contemporary sleek look
Materials were selected to give the house an earthy tone with a contemporary sleek look
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MJ Kanny Architect creates an open-concept family home centered around a lush courtyard oasis in Bandar Kinrara, Malaysia
In a quiet enclave within Bandar Kinrara, Puchong, MJ Kanny Architect has designed a contemporary bungalow from the ground up for a family that is a tribute to thoughtful design and tropical living.
Built on a roughly rectangular 8,769 sq ft site, the resulting 6,900 sq ft home artfully integrates indoor and outdoor spaces, creating a harmonious retreat for a family of three.
When approaching the house, a striking 12-foot-high pivot teak door welcomes you into a spacious living room with soaring 15-foot ceilings. The eye is immediately drawn through the central courtyard garden to the open-plan kitchen and dining area beyond.
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The balconies were enclosed in timber trellises made from composite wood
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“Our design approach was to create a central courtyard with a fish pond and organise all the spaces around it, emphasising the outdoor rather than indoor,” explains Melvyn Kanny, founder of MJ Kanny Architect.
This courtyard serves as the heart of the home, visible from nearly every room and connecting the various living spaces.
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The courtyard is a focal point and allows connection between the spaces
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The ground floor is a study in openness and functionality. A walkway alongside the fish pond leads to 14-foot-high collapsible-folding glass doors that open fully to the courtyard.
“This allows the courtyard to also be viewed when going up the staircase to the first floor,” notes Kanny. The kitchen and dining area, designed as one large space with an island facing the courtyard, create the illusion of cooking and dining amidst nature.
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Above The balconies were enclosed in timber trellises made from composite wood
Above The exterior façade required quite a bit of detailing to produce a modern looking home
The balconies were enclosed in timber trellises made from composite wood
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Ascending the central staircase, a linkway bridge on the first floor separates the master suite from three additional bedrooms. Each bedroom features a ‘lanai’ or covered balcony with timber screens.
“These act as both sun-shading devices and provide some privacy from the neighbouring houses,” Kanny points out. In a thoughtful nod to the owners’ Hindu faith, the screen's design motif subtly incorporates the sacred banana leaf.
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Above The exterior façade required quite a bit of detailing to produce a modern looking home
Above The elegantly finished central straicase
The exterior façade required quite a bit of detailing to produce a modern looking home
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The home’s exterior features a combination of carefully chosen materials: brick walls complemented by travertine-effect artificial stone cladding, composite wood timber trellises, and a lightweight steel-framed roof with insulated metal decking.
“We selected these materials to create an earthy tone while achieving a contemporary, sleek appearance,” Kanny explains.
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The living room looks out to the green expanse
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While not explicitly designed as a “green home”, the bungalow incorporates several eco-friendly features.
Its ability to open fully to the garden reduces the need for air conditioning, and a rainwater harvesting system irrigates the lush landscaping.
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The central courtyard features lush landscaping
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Kanny reflects on the project with pride, particularly the courtyard. “It not only became the focal point but also allowed connection between the spaces,” he says.
Nonetheless, he admits to one compromise: “Natural materials like real timber or stone are always our preference to give a house an authentic and natural feel. However, due to cost constraints and the client's request for ease of maintenance, we used reconstituted marble, porcelain tiles, and wood plastic composites instead.”
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Cooking and dining spaces look out to greenery
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As the family settles into this carefully crafted tropical oasis, the feedback from the owners has generally been positive, with the family expressing satisfaction with their new home. However, they've noted that the open concept design, particularly towards the garden, can invite mosquitoes and certain pests.
Kanny acknowledges this aspect of the design, remarking, “This is all part and parcel of tropical living. The openness connects us with nature, but it does come with some challenges that are typical of our climate.”
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Credits
Photography: Pixelaw Photography
Topics
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.
