Terraced category
Honorary mention

Location } Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur
Architect } Ar. Azuan Zakariah of Azuan Architect

On a quiet street in Taman Tun Dr Ismail stands a single-storey intermediate terraced house that harmoniously blends in with its neighbours. Even its automatic folding gate is unassuming, fabricated as it is with aged and unvarnished timber strips. The only visible distinction that differentiates this home from others, is the treatment of its porch.

It transpires that owners Suhaily and Azuan Zakariah were keen to conform to the common façade of the other houses on their street. However, the home’s essentially unchanged look and standard roof profile belie the existence of a loft which contributes extra living space for the family.

Having lived in Cheras previously, the family moved in just six months ago. “Commuting from Cheras to my office in Sri Hartamas was proving too troublesome, so we decided to relocate here. This house is conveniently located near a school [walking distance] and is also in the vicinity of several shopping outlets — a necessity when you have four young children,” says Azuan with a grin. “Besides, the high roof incline of the original design meant that I could create an extra level. That the layout included an internal courtyard was a plus.”

The common challenges of poor natural lighting and ventilation in terraced homes meant that the principal of Azuan Architect had to draw up a plan which incorporated inventive solutions that would marry optimum light and air flow with a contemporary aesthetic. The result: A modest but articulate design that eschews spatial constriction in favour of a well-ventilated and open layout.

To begin with, Azuan dispensed with the plaster ceiling in the lounge and dining areas to generate added height. Similarly, the elevated ceiling in the porch reinforces the impression of vertical scale. The architect has also cleverly pulled together the external and internal spaces by introducing an understated wooden terrace that serves as a conduit between the porch and the lounge area. At one end of the terrace, a simple bench borders a lime shrub while an intricate carving serves as a backdrop. Portraying a verse from the Quran, the wooden carving combined with the other elements, represents the owner’s unique depiction of the symbiotic relationship between God, nature and man. The terrace is also shielded by a translucent covering that allows diffused natural light to filter through into the home’s entrance.

In fact, such is the design that sunlight saturates the entire house through a skylight, strategically positioned windows and the exposed internal courtyard. Besides interrupting the built-up space of the ground floor, the internal courtyard successfully imports ample light and fresh air into the home.

The renovation, which took six months to complete, has increased the built-up area of the home to 3,000 sq ft. The house comprises three bedrooms, four unattached bathrooms and a utility room which can be converted into a maid’s quarters should the need arise. The new upper level which houses one of the bedrooms and an outdoor laundry area is also very bright, thanks to lateral windows that court an excellent flow of light.

The architect has integrated a good mix of different design components to great effect in this house. From white epoxy, concrete and steel finishes to the use of unvarnished wood, the home is a stylish rendition of practical chic. “I deliberately left the wood in its natural state, as to me, unvarnished wood conveys a different type of appeal,” explains Azuan as he draws our attention to the many types of wood specifically chosen for their differing hardiness and grain such as balau, teak, chengal, meranti and semangkok.

“I am still experimenting and adding finishing touches,” confides Azuan. “My next task is to cultivate a hydroponic garden in the box balcony abutting the master bedroom.” Whether fostering the growth of edible greenery or layering the home with additional veneers of functional elegance, there is no doubt that in implementing his goals for the house, the architect-owner will certainly demonstrate that good things can and do still come in small packages.

This article appeared in haven, Issue #44, August + September 2010, the deco and garden publication of The Edge Malaysia