Cover An open-plan living and dining area with full-height windows, offering views of the surrounding greenery offered by The Ophera
An open-plan living and dining area with full-height windows, offering views of the surrounding greenery offered by The Ophera
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The Ophera at KLGCC Resort represents Sime Darby Property’s most exclusive residential offering and its show unit expresses how contemporary luxury can honour heritage while maximising views and spatial flexibility
The Ophera sits at the northern edge of KLGCC Resort, facing the golf course’s western holes. The development contains 150 units across three blocks in Bukit Kiara, placing residents within reach of Kuala Lumpur’s business districts while maintaining the resort’s established character. The low-density configuration allows for larger unit sizes and reduced corridor traffic, factors that influence both privacy and the overall residential experience.
The show unit, designed by RDM Design under Nic Proud in collaboration with Sime Darby Property, illustrates how the project addresses contemporary living patterns while acknowledging Malaysian cultural practices in its spatial arrangement. RDM Design’s portfolio includes notable projects such as Aira Residences, which received the PAM Award in 2023, and 8 Conlay KLCC.
Above The private lift lobby, anchored by a floating bench and abstract artwork, sets a quiet, contemplative tone with timber wall panels and soft lighting
The private lift lobby, anchored by a floating bench and abstract artwork, sets a quiet, contemplative tone with timber wall panels and soft lighting
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The approach begins with a private lift lobby that functions as a transitional gallery, where natural light filters through carefully positioned openings. This buffer zone serves as a decompression space between the corridor and home, prioritising psychological comfort over efficient square footage usage.
The living and dining areas occupy parallel zones, both angled toward the golf course beyond floor-to-ceiling windows. The double-frontage configuration maximises both morning and afternoon light while providing cross-ventilation. Materials here are deliberately restrained: honed marble floors, walls in muted tones, and integrated lighting that washes surfaces rather than announcing itself.
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Above Muted tones and tailored furnishings provide a sense of understated sophistication
Muted tones and tailored furnishings provide a sense of understated sophistication
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The furniture arrangement—low-profile seating in neutral fabrics, a dining table in dark timber—allows the landscape to dominate. Art pieces are placed with restraint: a single sculptural form on the dining console, abstract paintings that echo the greens visible outside.
Adjacent to the foyer, a flexible room opens to the interior and the balcony. The space currently functions as a reading nook but could accommodate prayer, work, or casual entertainment. This adaptability reflects changing patterns of home use, particularly relevant in a context where domestic spaces must serve multiple functions.
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Above An open-plan living and dining area with full-height windows, offering views of the surrounding greenery offered by The Ophera
An open-plan living and dining area with full-height windows, offering views of the surrounding greenery offered by The Ophera
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The kitchen occupies substantial square footage, with quartz countertops extending into a wet kitchen area equipped for serious cooking. A separate service entrance and lift provide discreet access for deliveries and household staff. The maid’s quarters, laundry, and drying yard are positioned to the rear, maintaining the hierarchy between public and service functions that characterise traditional Malaysian home planning.
West-facing bedrooms incorporate low-emissivity glass to mitigate afternoon heat—a practical consideration in Malaysia’s tropical climate. The master bathroom continues the material palette of stone and timber, while a powder room equipped with ablution facilities acknowledges the cultural practices of potential residents.
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Above The master bedroom features layered lighting and soft textures that enhance the sense of privacy and comfort.
Above A bathroom defined by clean lines and a restrained palette, featuring a glass-enclosed shower, vessel sink, and wall-mounted fixtures with natural stone surfaces
The master bedroom features layered lighting and soft textures that enhance the sense of privacy and comfort.
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The Ophera holds GreenRE Gold Provisional Certification, with 51% of interior spaces receiving natural light and over 80% of common areas naturally ventilated. These metrics reflect environmental consciousness and cost considerations in a climate where air conditioning is the largest household energy expense.
RDM Design’s approach here prioritises spatial clarity over decorative flourish. The result feels more edited than austere, with each element serving functional and aesthetic purposes. While the show unit represents an idealised version of occupancy—no family detritus, no personal belongings—the underlying spatial organisation suggests flexibility for real life.
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Credits
Photography: courtesy of Sime Darby
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.
