Located at a junction between two busy four-lane roads, and right beside an overhead MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) viaduct, the property at 22 Jalan Kembangan posed several challenges for the team at Timurdesigns, particularly how to address the noise level and privacy concerns. 

The front of the site, where the main gate is located, faces almost West. To keep out heat and glare from the low angle western sun, the two most visible facades could not have too many see-through openings. 

Source: Timurdesigns. Photo by Tim Nolan.

Thus, in trying to shield the interior spaces from the traffic noise and the western sun, the semi-detached house is "flipped" inwards by carving out large voids between the house and the party wall adjoining its neighbour.

Lead architect Chan Wai Kin told WILLIAMS MEDIA, "The design of this semi-detached house addresses topicality and other site constraints right from the conceptual planning, rather than adding superficial design features externally. By flipping the house plan inwards to create an "air well/courtyard” situation, all the internal spaces are immediately transformed and become more suited to the tropical climate."

Source: Timurdesigns. Photo by Tim Nolan.

Natural light is directed down these voids, some of which stretch over the entire four storeys of the house. All the bedrooms on the upper floors are buffered from the road noise by a common corridor and their windows open into the air-well for natural daylight (indirect) and ventilation.

This explains why the front and side elevations are expressed with small fenestrations (except for the first storey which opens out onto the patio and garden). The use of the natural burnt-brown facing bricks as the facade material further enhances the "closed" look, in direct contrast to the windows opening onto the air-well voids which are often full-height from floor to ceiling. This inner side of the house is fully protected from direct sun and traffic noise. 

Source: Timurdesigns. Photo by Tim Nolan.

There are also many spatial permutations set within the voids - ranging from the four-storey-high open air-well that ventilates the powder room to the interlocking high volume entrance foyer. The interlocking voids often permit lots of visual connections between different parts of the house, giving an illusion of more spaciousness than there really is. 

For more information about 22 Jalan Kembangan email Chan Wai Kin, lead architect at Timurdesigns, via the contact details listed below. 

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