A3 Projects Architects

MERU House

MERU House
© Lawrence Choo, Michael Khong

MERU HOUSE

A3 Projects

ARCHITECTS
A3 Projects

ARCHITECTS IN CHARGE
Kenny Khor Leat Chong, Ho Choon Sin

MANUFACTURERS
Swissma, Feruni, Rnc

INTERIOR DESIGN
Kenny Khor Leat Chong

AREA
450.0 m2

YEAR
2016

LOCATION
Ipoh, Malaysia

CATEGORY
Houses

It all started back in the UK around 2009, when architects Kenny and Sin were still working in London.

MERU House
© Lawrence Choo, Michael Khong
MERU House
© Lawrence Choo, Michael Khong

The brief was to design a family home. Both architects were trained in the school of Architecture at the University of Bath.

Throughout their career, they worked for Arup Associates and PRP Architects respectively.

Their works often have an emphasis in the volume and spatial expression, which is reflected in this barn-like Meru house.

MERU House
© Lawrence Choo, Michael Khong
MERU House
© Lawrence Choo, Michael Khong

Travelling back and forth wasn’t an ideal solution either.

When the project first started, it took great effort to get contractors to fabricate details as intended.

After living in the UK for 15 years, both reside in Malaysia, construction took place in 2013 and completed in turn of 2017.

MERU House
© Lawrence Choo, Michael Khong
MERU House
© Lawrence Choo, Michael Khong

The house has been designed using passive design and energy efficient approach.

Building orientation, prevailing wind directions and the tropical monsoon season patterns are all being considered.

MERU House
© Lawrence Choo, Michael Khong
MERU House

Wind catcher is used to cool the inside of the house, in combination with two strategically located courtyards, as an overall ventilation and heat movement strategy.

Hot air is drawn upward due to temperature gradient, assisted by prevailing wind flowing pass the catcher, creating stack effect through volumetric play.

MERU House
© Lawrence Choo, Michael Khong
MERU House
© Lawrence Choo, Michael Khong
MERU House
© Lawrence Choo, Michael Khong

Greater airflow is enhanced with cross ventilation louvers at various height levels.

Deep recessed verandas, balconies and vertical fins are part of the key elements of passive design.

Veranda is located around the perimeter of the house.

MERU House
© Lawrence Choo, Michael Khong
MERU House
© Lawrence Choo, Michael Khong
MERU House
© Lawrence Choo, Michael Khong

It forms a filtering element of the house from hot sun, as well as the tropical rainstorm.

Family gets to appreciate their garden and enjoy outdoor living where possible.

MERU House
© Lawrence Choo, Michael Khong
MERU House
© Lawrence Choo, Michael Khong

There is an on-site rainwater harvesting system whereby rainwater is collected and stored in an underground concrete tank, keeping the water cooled below ground.

Although it is uncommon in Malaysia, double brick cavity wall is used for all external walls.

MERU House
© Lawrence Choo, Michael Khong
MERU House
© Lawrence Choo, Michael Khong
MERU House
© Lawrence Choo, Michael Khong

The cavity wall helps to alleviate the excessive heat gain exposure as well as maintaining an indoor climate comfort.


MERU House
© Lawrence Choo, Michael Khong
MERU House
© Lawrence Choo, Michael Khong


MERU House
Section
MERU House
Section


MERU House
1st/ 2nd floor plan
MERU House
Ground floor plan

A3 Projects Architects
T +60 3 40650289
A3 Projects Architects
D7 East, Sentul, 51100 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia