By Willy Wilson | Sep 1, 2009
Balinese Passion
A soothing Balinese concept, consistent material usage and excellent space planning are keys to creating a superb living space. With a sheer intention to live in a house that suits the tropical climate of our land, the homeowner built a serene 4-bedroom bungalow that takes root in Balinese aesthetics.
In 2003, he purchased an 8,000 sq ft of land in Bukit Damansara. It was only in 2005 that he began constructing his dream house. By 2008, the construction of the 6,000 sq ft bungalow was finally completed.
Having lived in an apartment for several years, the homeowner admits that it has always been his dream to live in a house with a garden and a spacious living room. Prior to living in his current residence, the family resided in a landed property located in Taman Tun. It was this place in which he drew inspiration to design his dream house.
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A soothing mix of quality woods, ethnic decorations and woody pieces gives this house a muted scheme. Adding interest are the unique Balinese arts in every corner of the house.
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“The previous owner of the property adopted a Balinese style, which provided a soothing atmosphere to the house. My wife and I really liked that place, but also we knew that we wanted to build our very own house one day,” says the homeowner.
It is understandable, then, that the homeowner adopted the Balinese style when it came to building his very own dream house; distinguishable by its big garden and unique wooden elements.
He also states that his wife is a Balinese furniture enthusiast. Together with her brother, they operate one of the most famous ethnic furniture shops in Kuala Lumpur, Purser’s Choice.
Resort-like Feel
The house is a series of three pavilions linked together by stairs. The first pavilion, located on the first floor, is a large area which consists of the living room, kitchen, swimming pool and a spacious terrace. Venturing upstairs to the second pavilion is where we find the couple's bedroom, their daughter’s bedroom and a guestroom. The final pavilion located on the top floor is of a smaller size, consisting of a gym room and a small flight of stairs leading to yet another guestroom.
The impressive vertical space, spanning across the three pavilions, was intentionally built to create an airy feeling. With wooden ceilings, fans and high windows, the breeze flows in from above the house to keep it cool. Horizontal windows with steel shutters function as the bathroom’s roof and add a greater sense of space by bringing the outside in.
Despite the stunning structure and excellent concept, what is most extraordinary about this house is a striking balance between the rawness of the materials used and the contemporary feel of its arrangement.
Wood, in various shapes and types, appear to be a dominant element in this house, starting with its Teak wood flooring all the way to its Nyatoh wood ceiling panels.
Around the house, generous displays of unique Balinese art works and antiques are everywhere. Take, for example, the wooden bench placed in the garden, which was created from a raw tree trunk.
“It was a tree trunk turned into a bench with dragon’s face carvings on each edge, which I bought in from Indonesia,” says the homeowner's wife.
Of her fancy for everything Balinese, she says, “They remind me of a beautiful holiday in a nice resort. It could be in Bali, or even Maldives,” she adds, “The bottom line is that it soothes its inhabitants.”
Made-to-Order
Although his profession has nothing to do with architecture, the homeowner's decisive role in making his dream house a reality is a force to be reckoned with.
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Kitchen, dining room, living room are undivided, and connected to the porch by the pool, resulting in a spacious feel for the first floor.
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“I am an accountant,” he says,” To tell you the truth; I have no idea as to how to undertake the task of building a house.”
However, the homeowner is not one to back away from a challenge. Realising his shortcoming in architectural knowledge, he spent time familiarising himself with construction, materials and designs by flipping through magazines and talking to people who are knowledgeable in this field.
“My wife and I knew all along that we would want to build a dream house that suits a tropical climate one day, and when presented with that opportunity, we made sure we knew all there is to know about it,” he says.
For this, the homeowner has landscape consultant Scot Lee of SL Landscape to thank. Scot Lee helped him to realise his idea into something feasible in terms of design, concept and materialisation.
“The result would not have been as rewarding if I didn’t know what I wanted. I can tell you that. The single most important deciding factor is your interest. With interest, you’ll cultivate passion,” he adds.
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