No 10
2017 PAM AWARDS
Silver
Single Residential
Contents
Contextual syntax
Site response
Design considerations
Gallery
Press
Contextual Syntax
The client is a Malaysian with a deep respect for Asian family values. In traditional courtyard architecture, the private and public spaces interact and connect via the courtyard. In this house, the courtyard was exploited in form and function in the organisation of spaces around it to reflect the client’s cultural background.
Site Response
The project site is a piece of sloping land surrounded by homes built in the 70s and 80s with a long passage to the public road as the only means of access. The views at the lower levels were challenging with back of neighbouring houses as a common perimeter backdrop. In response, the lower levels were consciously designed to be inward looking, with the spaces forming ‘city walls’ around the courtyard.
The inner facades became the views of the house. The walls and spaces were pushed out to the perimeter creating a totally private courtyard hidden from its neighbors.
The lower level contains the public zones while higher levels were reserved and designed as secure private living and sleeping zone with a unique private perch to see the PJ skyline from afar.
Passive Environmental Design Considerations
The matrix created by the use of 1 main and 3 secondary courtyards as with the introduction of a binding hollow spine allows for free air movement throughout the house. The spine acts as a backbone for the North and South facing rooms and creates a contiguous duct to allow air change via a single solar powered fan. The use of AAC bricks, insulated roofs, roof gardens and solar tinted windows further minimise passive heat gain.
