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Issue 64 - The 'Future' Issue

Issue 64

The 'Future' Issue

Habitus #64 Welcome to the HABITUS ‘Future’ and ‘Habitus House of the Year’ Issue. We are thrilled to have interior designer of excellence, Brahman Perera, as Guest Editor and to celebrate his Sri Lankan heritage through an interview with Palinda Kannangara and his extraordinary Ek Onkar project – divine! Thinking about the future, we look at the technology shaping our approach to sustainability and the ways traditional materials are enjoying a new-found place in the spotlight. Profiles on Yvonne Todd, Amy Lawrance, and Kallie Blauhorn are rounded out with projects from Studio ZAWA, SJB, Spirit Level, STUDIOLIVE, Park + Associates and a Lake House made in just 40 days by the wonderful Wutopia Lab, plus the short list for the Habitus House of the Year!

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Jose House Is More Of An Intervention Than A Renovation
HomesThida Sachathep

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

Thida Sachathep

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Fabian TanFabian Tan Architectsfamily homeJose HouseMalaysiaResidential ArchitectureResidential designThida Sachathep


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Issue 64 - The 'Future' Issue

Issue 64

The 'Future' Issue

Habitus #64 Welcome to the HABITUS ‘Future’ and ‘Habitus House of the Year’ Issue. We are thrilled to have interior designer of excellence, Brahman Perera, as Guest Editor and to celebrate his Sri Lankan heritage through an interview with Palinda Kannangara and his extraordinary Ek Onkar project – divine! Thinking about the future, we look at the technology shaping our approach to sustainability and the ways traditional materials are enjoying a new-found place in the spotlight. Profiles on Yvonne Todd, Amy Lawrance, and Kallie Blauhorn are rounded out with projects from Studio ZAWA, SJB, Spirit Level, STUDIOLIVE, Park + Associates and a Lake House made in just 40 days by the wonderful Wutopia Lab, plus the short list for the Habitus House of the Year!

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