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Issue 59 - The Life Outside Issue

Issue 59

The Life Outside Issue

Introducing the Life Outside issue of Habitus magazine. With life increasingly being absorbed into a digital space, there is never a more important moment to hold something tangible. In this context, the power of nature to have a physiological impact on our sense of wellbeing has never been more important. So how can we cultivate the benefits of the our natural environment in the most intimate of places – our homes? This was the question that helped to bring this issue of Habitus to life.

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Jose House Is More Of An Intervention Than A Renovation
HomesAmy Ng

Jose House Is More Of An Intervention Than A Renovation

Malaysia

Breaking away from the norm of residential design often found in Malaysia’s urban areas, Fabian Tan Architects balances beauty and function.


Located in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, Jose House by Fabian Tan Architects is the epitome of a home that exhibits features of nature and light with design that has been distilled to equilibrium between beauty and functionality.

Synonymous to other houses designed by architect Fabian Tan, Jose House is the result of an imaginative spatial configuration. “I like to create spaces that have a subtle beauty that is also mysterious. A space that when you walk into, it cannot be immediately described as special until you experience the space, a space that cannot be easily described in photos,” he says.

Jose House Fabian Tan Architects living room

What initially was a terrace house that had poor circulation and minimal exposure to natural light has now undergone an extensive intervention with tuneful complexities. Transforming the single-storey house with a strong focus on utilising its existing structure, allowed Fabian to add a supplementary half loft floor. As a result, half of the house now has an open plan and the other half, divided by a centre wall, has private rooms.

Unseen from the street, Jose House also comprises a roof viewing deck that is adorned with U-shaped concrete seats and a glass table that lets light diffuse into the house during the day.

Jose House Fabian Tan Architects kitchen dining

Inspired by the client’s fondness for nature, Jose House’s material palette reflects and complements architecture that frames the view, light and surrounding environment. Unadorned and kept humble, white walls, concrete rendering and wooden silhouettes remind Fabian of Japanese ideologies on detail and restraint.

Jose House sits flush within the neighbourhood, though differs starkly from a row of monotonous houses. The challenge that arises when residents aim to renovate in such densely populated area forces most to follow a specific design template. Fabian breaks away from this and converts the terrace house into a home dressed with quiet intricacy.

Fabian Tan Architects
fabian-tan.com

Jose House Fabian Tan Architects kitchen
Jose House Fabian Tan Architects bedroom Jose House Fabian Tan Architects stairs
Jose House Fabian Tan Architects house entryway
Jose House Fabian Tan Architects driveway

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About the Author

Amy Ng

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Fabian TanFabian Tan Architectsfamily homeJose HouseMalaysiaResidential ArchitectureResidential designThida Sachathep


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Issue 59 - The Life Outside Issue

Issue 59

The Life Outside Issue

Introducing the Life Outside issue of Habitus magazine. With life increasingly being absorbed into a digital space, there is never a more important moment to hold something tangible. In this context, the power of nature to have a physiological impact on our sense of wellbeing has never been more important. So how can we cultivate the benefits of the our natural environment in the most intimate of places – our homes? This was the question that helped to bring this issue of Habitus to life.

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