Intrinsically Green at No.47

Intrinsically Green at No.47

Designed by the team at DrTanLM, House No. 47 is a delicate display of biophilic design; capitalizing on the elements defining its overall setting.

There is a certain consistency in the spaces designed by the team at DrTanLM Architect; a consistency that binds everything together in a way that is aesthetically pleasing. It is no wonder that the emphasis on the design process takes centre stage at the architect firm, led by its affable principal, Ar. Dr Tan Loke Mun.

With years of experience under his belt, Ar. Dr Tan and his team crafts a design narrative, carefully weaving in the ideas, functions, concepts and people that steers each project from its conception to completion. The focus on the key intrinsic qualities; whether it is the use of materials or colors, brings out the distinct elements of a space, creating a highly authentic design experience for every project.

With each project, research and design analysis is central in helping the team to craft a design idea, with special focus put into exploring new advances and techniques such as green technology. Ar. Dr Tan maintains that his management philosophy is hands-on, supervising all the firm’s projects closely and streamlining the design process.

With so many years of experience, Ar. Dr Tan has several accolades under his belt. He is a past president of the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM), past chairman of the LAM-PAM Green Building and Sustainability committee, past member of the GBI Accreditation Panel (GBIAP) and member of the Board of Architects Malaysia (LAM). He is also the founder of the DrTanLM Architect firm; whose signature designs remain mostly biophilic; contemporary designs that incorporate green with raw aesthetics.

It is with their design philosophy that the team at DrTanLM Architect took on the House No. 47 project. Located in a respectable leafy suburb of Kuala Lumpur, the house sits on 9,000 sq ft of land. The three-storey bungalow comes with seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms, with a total built-up area of 10,000 sq ft.

The team was given a brief to design a modern home that exudes tropical elements for a two-generation family who treasured togetherness, privacy, security and ease of maintenance.

Overall, the external look of the home remains sharp and sleek. A rock wall stands out, shielding the house from the street view, while a large angular concrete roof canopy greets visitors from the driveway. True to their philosophy, the team at DrTanLM Architects employs a full array of green features, including large insulated roof, rainwater harvesting, solar hot water, double glazing and low-e glass, recycled materials, low VOC paints and finishes and vertical louvre sun screens.

Inside the house, the dark timber finishes and the ornate louvres define a warm ambiance of home, providing a rational hierarchy between the spaces. The marble flooring creates a base for the family hall, its palette acting as a base that provides a subtle contrast for the space while not disturbing the overall calm.

The space features an extended volume and an open plan that draws views from the spaces above. Glass accents adorn the space, with the furniture blending into the setting effortlessly due to their simple and minimalistic personalities displaying an overall modern yet cozy living arrangement.

The ground floor is designed with a “C” shaped floor plan, incorporating a covered but well-ventilated central courtyard with sliding glass walls that enabled the residents to use the private courtyard space throughout the day and night, and in any weather condition. The thickly insulated roof provides necessary shelter from the sun, while the sliding walls allow for supplementary cross-ventilation resulting in a very pleasant central node in the house.

The central courtyard plays into the overall design well, with the circulation, stairways and living spaces looking into the courtyard to provide the residents with a visual connectivity. The circular skylight on the roof allows for streams of sunlight to bathe the courtyard, which also serves as a playground for the young children and a place for the grandparents to hang out.

House No. 47 is where the attention to detail is much greater while staying true to the overall feel
of the house.

About DrTanLM Architect

DrTanLM Architect is a multi-award winning solution provider and facilitator in design, planning and architecture. The firm is also a pioneer of the Modern Tropical movement (ModTrop) emphasising community, culture and innovative designs for a sustainable earth.

They are involved with an extensive portfolio of projects ranging from private residential projects to commercial ones, such as Verandah House in Bukit Damansara, Tunku Abdul Rahman University College in Kuala Lumpur, PJKita in Kelana Jaya, Almas Puteri Harbour in Johor, The Metis Iskandar in Johor, District 7 in Ho Chi Minh City, The Wood Box and M Marini in KL and Setia City Mall in Shah Alam, to name a few.

Ar. Dr Tan Loke Mun
Principal of DRTAN LM Architect