Deep Water Design for the Tropics – Hijauan House in Kuala Lumpur
Here is a gorgeous house adapted to Malaysia’s sultry climate, set in a lush and beautiful tropical garden in Kuala Lumpur.
Although empty now, it is easy to imagine the good life lived in this cooling beauty.
The architecture comes from local Kuala Lumpur studio Twenty-Nine Design.
The architects make use of expanses of water for cooling, in the manner of sustainable design for the tropics in similar climates, like nearby Singapore.
Dark wooden screens are employed to baffle heat and light – creating cool and shadowed interiors that suggest the cool of a rainforest.
Through sensitive design, the architects were able to preserve two majestic 50 year old mango trees along the side boundary.
Much of the tropical vegetation of the site was able to be kept, including slow growing fern trees.
Sleek and cool white predominates inside.
The glossy surfaces add to the cooling effect.
The contrast between the glossy white and the dark woods throughout continues in the very tropical bathroom.
A fully open-able indoor – outdoor kitchen connecting indoors and outdoors suggests the potential for fragrant summer garden dining al fresco.
The design makes extensive use of the cooling effect of the deep water that surrounds much of the house.
Aside from cooling the air around the house, a long and leisurely dunk can be indulged in this still deep water off the terraces.
Sustainable design, and breathtakingly gorgeous too.
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