Ramp House

BuiltMalaysiaPenang
Written By Borneo Architecture Journal

Ramp House is located in Tanjung Tokong on a long strip of level ground reclaimed from the sea

The site is a long strip of level ground reclaimed from the sea; it does not have much character. The client is from Penang; why he chose two architects in Kuching to design his house is unclear, but we agreed that we must NOT ‘maximise’ site coverage or the number of storeys (3) as his neighbours are prone to doing.

The client and we agreed to limit site coverage and the number of storeys, avoiding the neighbourhood trend of maximisation

The courtyard as the heart of the house

The floor plan is given elbow room for nature to insinuate itself into the house and create its own topography. As a result, the heart of the house is a courtyard from which many of the internal spaces look into. This is important as there are not many inspiring views externally.

The floor plan allows space for nature to flow into the house, shaping its own natural form

Placing the courtyard at the centre divides the house into front and rear sections

It also facilitates internal views and provides opportunities for improved natural ventilation and lighting

By positioning the courtyard at the centre of the house, it also naturally divides the building into front and rear blocks. Instead of connecting them with a corridor served by stairs, we proposed a series of ramps to link them. The rear block is raised by half a floor so that each 16 m ramp arrives at a landing, which is the dining room and kitchen, the living room, the family room, the master bedroom, and the children’s rooms as one ascends the ramps. The ramps extend the journey through the house, and at each landing, life unfolds.

Instead of a traditional stair corridor, we linked the front and rear blocks with a series of ramps

The rear block is raised by half a floor so that each 16 m ramp arrives at a landing

The ramps extend the journey through the house, and at each landing, life unfolds

The interiors offer a warm, inviting atmosphere, much like its occupants, enhanced by textures, finishes, and the sensory experiences of water and landscaping

The exterior, with cement render and paint, reveals just enough to maintain an air of mystery

If the courtyard is the soft centre of the house, providing improved natural lighting and ventilation, the exteriors slightly resemble the hard shell—plain rendered cement walls revealing enough to exude an air of mystery. The interiors compensate with a rich palette of materials and textures, warm and personable, like the owners of the house.

Text by the architect

 

PROJECT GALLERY

 

  • Architect : Design Network Architects
    Architect of Record : Arkitek Permata
    Client : Dato’ Sri Datuk Wira Tan Hui Jing and Datin Sri Joanna Lim
    Area : 763.25 m²
    Project Location : Tanjung Tokong | Penang
    Year : 2017

  • C&S Engineer : Gin Consultant
    M&E Engineer : Perunding Jurutera CSN
    Quantity Surveyor : Perunding Kos Bersatu
    Interior Designer : EOWON Designs + Architects
    Landscape Architect : Permata Green Sdn Bhd
    Contractor : Chuan Yang Construction Sdn Bhd
    Design Team : Wee Hii Min | Thang Suh Chee
    Photography : EOWON Designs + Architects | Wee Hii Min

  • —

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