By Melisa Ng | Aug 10, 2010

Terasek Brickhouse: A rustic masterpiece in Bangsar

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A nice touch: The dipping pool is located just after the entrance

Anyone who is a fan of the minimalist back-to-nature concept of landscape architect Ng Sek San (of Sekeping Serendah fame) would experience a jolt of déjà vu when viewing the rustic simplicity of Terasek Brickhouse. Opened since June this year, its minimalist concept with the ‘unfinished’ touch is a refreshing change.

Terasek Brickhouse is situated amidst a row of link houses in Jalan Terasek in Bangsar. So, one may assume that the house as a run-of-the-mill link house with a unique façade. Surprisingly, it is a homestay that spans a humble size of 22’ X84’.

When asked about the unique concept of Terasek Brickhouse, the owner and proprietor says, “The concept is the same as Seapark Brickhouse. It is a homestay and we provide the same services. I bought both houses as an investment where I can rent out, and at the same time when my relatives or friends come over, they have somewhere to stay.”

The house took six months to complete and everything was done by the owner himself – from designing and supervising the renovation to decorating the whole place. “I enjoyed the whole process,” the owner muses. “I treat this as my retirement project to keep me occupied.”

Simple yet cosy
Upon entering the place, one will be immediately drawn to the unique art works on the wall of the living area. Done by local artist Ahmad Fuad, this set of 36 paintings adorns the walls of Terasek Brickhouse.

Consisting of five guestrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a living room with two seating areas, a lounge and dining area with kitchen and a powder room, Terasek Brickhouse is tastefully designed to be clutter-free and neat. The living area is open and spacious. Each room is well-ventilated and includes air-conditioning, a television, a bed, mosquito nets and WiFi Internet access. There’s even a private garden for every room! The bed frames are made from metal wires as it’s very airy and light enough for the cleaners to lift it up when cleaning the floor. “You can’t buy this metal bed frame anywhere; it’s specially made by one of my friends,” says the owner.

When asked about the design concept of Terasek Brickhouse, the owner says, “I go with my feelings. There’s no specific concept to it. It’s my personal preference. If I like it, I will just do it.

“For example you might ask why I use bricks as the main material of this house. My answer is very simple; I like it – it’s simple, minimum maintenance and cheap. Some might not be able to accept this unfinished look but I like it. You don’t even need to repaint the walls. If algae grows on it, it is also nice (laughs)! "

The owner is a horticulturist by profession and he enthusiastically explains that the trees inside the house are jungle trees called Merawan Bunga or Hopea Pubescens. “I chose this because it suits the criteria of the house as it is tall and shady. It does not need much sunlight to survive and is easy to maintain; only water once every three days.”

To the rooftop: The unique stairs leads to the rooftop, which boasts a magnificent view

The rooftop appeal
Terasek Brickhouse even boasts a rooftop garden. “At first, I did not anticipate that this house will have a good view. Only when I climbed up to check on the slabs for the rooftop that I realised that the view was so beautiful. This is definitely a plus point for us,” he shares. Such an arrangement enables guests to admire the panoramic view of the surroundings, while enjoying the evening breeze. There’s also a dipping pool just after the entrance where guests can relax and have a chat.

The appeal of minimalist-chic meets practicality is the core principle of the design, and ensures that Terasek Brickhouse retains the ‘homey’ ambiance, though it is a homestay premise. “It still looks like a house,” says the owner. “There’s a kitchen, a car park, living room, so at any time, I can switch it back to a house.”

Homestay with a difference
The room rates are RM180 (Sun to Thu) and RM200 (Fri and Sat) per room per day . The owner explains, “The price is affordable and the location is convenient. When my friends or relatives stay at Terasek Brickhouse, I can just pick them up from the front entrance without having to look for parking.”

Guests can enjoy a personal and cosy atmosphere in the upscale neighbourhood of Bangsar, which makes Terasek Brickhouse a homestay that is suitable for small families or tourists looking to spend their holidays in a laid-back, quiet neighbourhood. When asked if there were any more upcoming brickhouses in the horizon, the owner quips, “No plans yet! If I happen to spot a good buy at a good location, I’ll let you know.”