Keranji House
The Keranji House is a small bungalow sited at Lorong Keranji 6, along the bank of Sungai Tabuan, which meanders through this lively neighbourhood.
We were approached to design a house that captures the essence of the quarter-acre site with its green surroundings. This was a retreat for their family and extended family of rescued cats and dogs. They expressed preference for an honest and natural approach, with an appreciation for openness.
Driven by these wishes, and the house design became a physical manifestation of the owner’s dreams and desires. There are 4 large existing acacia trees - one tree in front, one in the middle and two at the back. Keeping them meant that they were pivotal to the house design.
On approach, a veil of laced bricks hovers over a reserved front; a mask from which one could privately peer out from. As one passes this threshold, defined by two intersecting walls or spines, the home immediately softens, opens, and the garden
Adopting a north-south orientation, the building was designed around the existing trees; one marking the entrance and the others forming the courtyard beyond where the house was sculptured around. Private spaces were then carefully organised into two double-storey pavilions, centrally linked, all over-looking the courtyard.
The Master Pavilion houses the formal living and dining on ground floor and the master-suite on first floor. It also serves as the future master wing, with the client intending to turn the lower living/dining into their bedroom during their golden years. The Guest Pavilion houses a study on ground floor and on first floor, two bedrooms for their children or guests.
These two pavilions are then connected through shared soft breathable links of shaded terraces, open walkways and galleries on all levels. This is where family members can meet, near the heart of the house; a central double-volume kitchen with a ‘floating’ staircase. All are welcomed here, including the natural elements … rain, wind or sun.
The Keranji House applies tropical design principles consistently in all areas of the design. Deep roof overhangs over the pavilions with generous terraces around living spaces provide effective sunshade. Louvres above the windows and behind the breathable front laced brick skin actively drives air movement throughout the whole house. The placement of the two lower entrances connecting the central double-volume spaces has additionally created a breezeway at the terraces, something which the owners have expressed delight over. The house is air-conditioning free except for the bedrooms.
The project was successfully completed within a relatively small budget; through usage of local materials while making the design program and materials work harder. Locally produced tiles, red bricks, concrete blocks, stones, etc. were expressed in their natural state as much as possible. No extravagance; materials simply used differently.
The Keranji house reflects the essence of tropical living; it shades, breathes, and welcomes the outside in through its permeable walls and screens. Permeable to the elements, permeable to the residents.
Text by the architect
PROJECT GALLERY
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Architect : SML Architects
Client : Undisclosed
Area : 317.52 m²
Project Location : Kuching | Sarawak
Year : 2018 -
C&S Engineer : Perunding J.L. Maju
Contractor : Precious Construction Sdn Bhd
Design Team : Arlene Chew | Lim Seow Liang
Photography : Arlene Chew -
Floor | Floor Finishes
• Tile : Kimgress | Niro Granite | Guocera | White Horse
Roofing Systems : UGI Unilok
Paint Systems : Weathershield Powerflexx by Dulux | PU Recoatable Finish and Odour-less Aircare by Nippon Paint
Sanitary Fittings | Systems : TOTO
Kitchen Fittings | Systems : Soon Hin Furniture and Woodworking | Yet Khion Enterprise
Lighting Design | Fittings : JustLight
Furniture : Soon Hin Furniture and Woodworking
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