This residence was designed for a retired couple passionate about growing their own food. The house, filled with numerous plant boxes, blends seamlessly with its surroundings, resembling a garden or farm rather than a traditional home. This approach aims to redefine modern tropical housing.
Each floor features over 40 edible plants, creating a striking visual contrast with neighboring buildings. The concave front facade offers additional communal space that encourages interaction among neighbors. Surrounding an existing jasmine tree, the first planting box serves as urban furniture, fostering a connection between the couple and their community.
The interior radiates warmth and hospitality, reflecting the owners’ commitment to sustainable urban living and tropical agriculture. Upon entering, visitors experience natural light and gentle breezes flowing through the space. The first floor is visually open, with glass walls and windows connecting the front and back. The house layout separates the living room and central staircase, while a double-height kitchen and dining area at the rear features tall glass windows that open outward, facing a lush green wall.
The design draws inspiration from local tropical homes. The concrete formwork uses split bamboo crafted by the Temuan people, indigenous to Sembilan. This bamboo texture not only symbolizes the house’s organic and abstract form but also offers a sustainable solution that reduces maintenance issues caused by rain and urban pollution.
The plant box house reflects the owners’ lifestyle and serves as an evolving platform where they continually refine their irrigation and planting systems. The custom irrigation system interconnects the plant boxes, storing and recycling nutrients and rainwater. It also allows precise control of soil composition and water levels for each plant box.
This project not only provides the clients with unique opportunities and experiences but also offers the surrounding community a chance to better understand tropical agriculture. The architecture is designed to grow organically, evolving alongside the couple’s continuous improvements and developments.
Drawings
Floor Plan
Sectional View
Project Details
Architect: Formzero
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Category: Sustainable Development
Lead Architect: Lee Cherng Yih
Contractor: Jaya Bintang
Project Description: Caleb (BIM Architecture) Ong & (BIM Learning) Lee Cherng Yih
Drawing: Ameen Deen
Building Area: 340.0 m2
Year: 2017
Photographer: Ameen Deen
Suppliers: Johnson Suisse, Wong Lighting, Jotun, Structure System, Feruni
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