A3 Projects Architects

Serendah Hill Retreat

Serendah Hill Retreat
© Lawrence Choo
Serendah Hill Retreat
© Lawrence Choo

SERENDAH HILL RETREAT

A3 Projects

ARCHITECTS
A3 Projects

CIVIL
DR Y G Tan Jurutera Perunding Sdn Bhd

MANUFACTURERS
Hansgrohe, Breezway, Hafele, Jotun, Legrand, G-Star CAD, ISEO

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
DR Y G Tan Jurutera Perunding Sdn Bhd

CIVIL & STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
DR Y G Tan Jurutera Perunding Sdn Bhd

MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
IR Ho Yih Tzong

CONTRACTOR
CTF Build Sdn Bhd, Genesis Mission Sdn Bhd

DESIGN TEAM
Choon Sin Ho, Kenny Chong, Siew Yong Lim, Zi Xin Yip

COLLABORATORS
SinHo Architect

PHOTOGRAPHS
Lawrence Choo

AREA
350 m²

YEAR
2020

LOCATION
Serendah, Malaysia

CATEGORY
Houses

Text description provided by architect.

Beyond a physical home, Serendah Hill Retreat is a deeply personal homage to the clients, who are the Architect’s parents, and to the surrounding lush tropical landscape that has been the bedrock of their Buddhist spiritual life.

Serendah Hill Retreat
© Lawrence Choo
Serendah Hill Retreat
© Lawrence Choo

Adopting the Japanese principles of “shakkei” (borrowed landscape), the house was conceived from the beginning as an extension of the landscape, part of which has been meticulously curated and nurtured by the clients by hand from seeds, for more than a decade, even before the house was designed – Pre-existing soft architecture that the house needs to respect.

In the spirit of sustainable way of life, passive design principles are integrated to increase comfort without the need for air conditioning.

Serendah Hill Retreat
© Lawrence Choo
Serendah Hill Retreat
© Lawrence Choo
Serendah Hill Retreat
© Lawrence Choo

While views are primarily orientated towards East-South-West due to the water tower on the north, deep shading is provided by means of natural vegetation, balconies and deep overhangs.

The ceremonial double-height space that greets from the main entrance, top-lit with grand skylight, encourages cross ventilation.

Carefully detailed ventilation louvres and mosquito netting are also used extensively throughout, while sandwiched insulated in-situ concrete roof system limits heat gain.

Serendah Hill Retreat
© Lawrence Choo
Serendah Hill Retreat
© Lawrence Choo
Serendah Hill Retreat
© Lawrence Choo

Committed to living through their retirement humbly, in support of local businesses and laborers, the house was conceived with a humble budget, utilizing local, familiar materials that hark back to their memories of home in the yesteryear.

Alongside a nostalgic palette of facing brick, terracotta, terrazzo and solid metal rails, broken Ipoh marble pieces were specially reconstructed as flooring, in close collaboration with local contractors.

Concrete soffits are honestly left bare without ceiling, with services systematically coordinated and concealed. Even furniture were mostly refurbished from their old homes, breathing new life to the parents’ cherished memories.

Serendah Hill Retreat
© Lawrence Choo
Serendah Hill Retreat
© Lawrence Choo
Serendah Hill Retreat
© Lawrence Choo

Recognizing the dignity of living independently through the golden years, the spatial layout was designed with ease of mobility in mind, enabling the elderly couple to move around between their living, dining, kitchen and bedroom without having to climb up and down the stairs.

The living, dining and bedroom areas are extended with generous outdoor terraces which enable the couple to enjoy the landscape without having to go down to the garden.

Serendah Hill Retreat
© Lawrence Choo
Serendah Hill Retreat
© Lawrence Choo

Entrances and circulation are thoughtfully arranged to provide security and peace of mind.

As a symbol of familial ties, the Dining area is the communal heart of the house, while the Living Area became a personal retreat space for the couple.

Serendah Hill Retreat
© Lawrence Choo
Serendah Hill Retreat
© Lawrence Choo

While the rooftop is their morning meditation space, the corner outside the Living Room facing the garden is their favorite spot to spend hours in the day, basking in the expansive views, melodic sounds of the landscape, and soothing winds.


Serendah Hill Retreat
© Lawrence Choo
Serendah Hill Retreat
© Lawrence Choo
Serendah Hill Retreat
© Lawrence Choo
Serendah Hill Retreat
© Lawrence Choo


Serendah Hill Retreat
Elevations
Serendah Hill Retreat
Sections


Serendah Hill Retreat
Site plan
Serendah Hill Retreat
Lower Ground Floor Plan
Serendah Hill Retreat
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