Location
- Malaysia
City
- Kuching | Sarawak
Duration
- 2019 – 2023
Client
- Undisclosed
Surface
- Site area
- : 0.24 acre
- Building area
- : 381.11 m2
- Building height
- : 6.85 m | 2 storeys
Status
- Completed
Project Type
- Alteration and Addition
Themes
- Renovation | Detached House
Three Hills Bungalow is a renovation project in Kuching for a couple and their three grown-up children. The old and dilapidated house from the 1970s was purchased more than two decades ago with the intention that it would one day be their dream retirement home.
The brief called for a practical and low maintenance house with open space planning and connection with the outside. The client loved naturally ventilated spaces, sun-lit rooms, and gardens where they could enjoy life. They had been living in an intermediate terrace most of their lives and being able to experience the natural elements was important.
The original 2-storey house is sited at the front of the land and had a big empty backyard. As the building was in appalling condition, most of the existing walls and roof had to be demolished, recomposed, and rebuilt. Keeping the front house, a new single-storey entertainment wing was added at the rear, both old and new connected through a covered linkway and shared courtyard garden.
Internally, the spaces flow into one another. On ground level, one can visually connect with another in the shared areas while enjoying views of the central courtyard garden. Bedrooms are planned on first floor, most with balconies for added space and shading. A void was also added to connect the people between floors and to encourage airflow throughout the house.
The completed house takes on a bold demeanour in the streetscape of this established neighbourhood. While the new form still partly reminisces that of the old, the composition of new materials, textures and colours makes the building stand out from its surroundings.
Team Credits
Architect
- SML Architects
Engineer
- C & S : Perunding JL Maju
Contractor
- Yak Kong Construction
Design Team
- Arlene Chew
- Mark Eng
- Lim Seow Liang
Photography
- Mark Eng
- Wong Qin Kae
- Melvin Chan
- Sean Wee
- Jenny Chow
Publications
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