Kenzan Heights moniker was sentimentally derived from the sobriquet of its owners, given their full time engagement and passion for the project.
As it all started with a peculiar nature of site under a modern urban setting, the project was bounded to accustom to its context. The architectural challenge sits within a 15,300 square feet of triangular-shaped site with slopes surrounding two out of three of its boundary, comes with restricted access and orientation.
By accommodating the client’s requirement, the building is placed strategically at the rear end of the plot. While being efficient with a linear spatial layout, it came with its qualm as it sat adjacent to a critical slope with neighbouring property, combined effort of architectural and engineering inputs were implemented without any compromises of space and safety. The building placement also comes with an intention to designate a luxury amount of area for landscaping as to client’s personal curation and love for greens.
A one-side-less boundary for a site is less than advantageous for any plethora choices for access. However the restrictions, a primary access was still designed ably to acknowledge the far-back placement of the main building and its surrounded landscape. The concrete imprinted covered car porch and a custom-made timber and steel combination main door welcome occupants into a glass foyer which steadily frames the lushes of green and the pool as the first transitional journey into the living domain.
Alongside the building, a pool lies serenely within the vicinity of the entrance. The swimming pool was designed to sit calmly and unobtrusive to its surrounding but still acts as a discreet focal point to guests as they looked pass the landscape. Meticulous architectural detailing marries the pool surface seamlessly with all different party of materials around it under the same plane, an intended aesthetic and practical design solution to an edge-less infinity pool.
Having neighbours occupying on two sides of the plot, the project strives to gain view and beneficial orientation with strategic spatial arrangements. Public and utility spaces such as laundry, wet kitchen, guest room and a balau decked bbq area were designed on the ground floor for direct interaction with the pool and landscape. This intentionally puts familiar living spaces on a higher ground to obtain an overlooking perspective of the landscape and neighbourhood environment.
First floor where semi private spaces dwell, the living, dining and dry kitchen enjoys a double volume ceiling height and views with an open-plan layout that creates a more inclusive scene between its occupants. Inevitably, these spaces were located behind an east-facing facade, however, passive solutions for comfortable living are earlier accounted for during the initial design stage with minimizing building width, and aluminum louvres which also turned one of the project's architectural feat.
The topmost floor is where private rest and slumber entail. Bedrooms are adjoined through a corridor from a central staircase accessible by residents for the reason of exclusivity. Timber-tiled balcony framed with bespoke wire mesh and mild steel handrails line the south side of the exterior, further integrated with the off-form concrete roof structure, forming a raw yet tranquil nugget of space for mood rejuvenating activities. The roof's unique silhouette provides an identity throughout its neigbourhood typology.
Amidst the prominence of the project's strong silhouette, there are intricate collaborative features among modern materials that give personality and welcomes a homely sense to its observers and occupants. From the playfulness of its shadow castings to the vibrancy of its landscape design, they compliment well to breathe life to Kenzan Heights.
Team:
Westco Land Sdn. Bhd.(Contractor), Perunding R.Wong (Civil & Structural Engineer), TMC Engineering Consultants (M&E Engineer), PNCrafts Sdn. Bhd. (Landscape Architect)
Material Used:
1. Flooring: NCK Ceramic
2. Interior furniture: Grohe Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. , Acacia Evolution Wall Hung Toilet
Johnson Suisse, Gemelli Square Countertop 450
