In collaboration with MTIB
An aspiring industry leader in innovative products and perfectly executed design concepts, the minds behind Ruang Idea expertly play with spaces to consistently deliver unique and functional interiors.
The story of Ruang Idea begins in 2001 with a family-run advertisement agency called Armnet Integrated Sdn Bhd. Brothers Muhammad Wafiq bin Khairul Anuar and Amirun Rafiq bin Khairul Anuar who shared an interest in interior design decided to publish an interior design magazine they named Ruang. However, this interest eventually compelled them to directly involve themselves in the industry instead. Drawing on Wafiq’s background in bio-composite technology and Amirun’s wood technology knowledge, the brothers worked together to establish Ruang Idea.
Malaysia’s first interior architectural design firm dedicated exclusively to residential and commercial design, the company slowly but surely built its portfolio through the ‘design and build’ concept. With each and every project, it delivered on its goal of ‘creating comfortable spaces’ which is the inspiration behind its name. Its many successes eventually led to its expansion and subsequent incorporation into Ruang Idea Kreatif Sdn Bhd in 2015.
True to its name, space planning and by extension structural knowledge play a significant role in the company’s approach to creating an exceptional design. Their focus as interior architects and interior designers is on the importance of understanding related aspects of the built environment for the purpose of delivering an end result that exceeds the customer’s expectations. When it comes to their corporate clients, they strive to develop solutions that can help increase sales and productivity. Past and current examples of such cases include Bina Darulaman Berhad (BDB) showrooms, the SIRIM Berhad corporate office in Malacca and the upcoming Hyundai, Jaguar and Porsche showrooms at the Sime Darby Motors Autocomplex in Selangor.
One of the brothers’ unofficial goals is to highlight the difficulties of being young entrepreneurs using their own rough start as a point of reference. Complications in getting loans and other similar troubles made their efforts to set up their first factory in Subang a challenge. However, things improved when a friend introduced them to the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) whereupon they registered as vendors. Government schemes, grants and the Youth Training Programme enabled them to establish a good profile which they then leveraged to build up a strong diversified portfolio. They have also worked closely with the MTIB initiative TANGGAM Design Centre by providing the centre with consultations and advice on marketing and production.
Muhammad Wafiq bin Khairul Anuar (right) and Amirun Rafiq bin Khairul Anuar, Executive Directors of Ruang Idea Kreatif Sdn Bhd
Used to working quietly behind the scenes on behalf of their clients, Ruang Idea has plans in the near future to capitalise on their experience designing their own showrooms to give their office a long overdue makeover. They are also aspiring to establish a new interior design firm which will have separate departments for design and production with Amirun managing the consultancy and technical aspects of the business and Wafiq handling production and sales. This is part of their stated vision to consistently deliver eco-friendly world-class finishes in all their interior design concepts.
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