The architectural design is organised around the concept of a village, where three sub-units of extended family bedroom suites are hinged around communal areas on each floor. This configuration promotes interaction and fosters a sense of community within the household.

“Spatially, the house is divided into private, communal, and ephemeral spaces. It includes a communal living and dining area, a gallery for transient use, a social kitchen, a semi-private chef’s kitchen, and private bedroom suites,” states Tang.

Don't miss: 5 magnificent multi-generational family homes in Malaysia

Circulation spaces, like the entrance courtyard, double-storey gallery, atrium, and attic, serve multiple functions, such as climate control, air exchange, visual screening, and vertical planting.

The building envelope is a marvel of design, utilising a steel frame lattice extension to wrap around the existing concrete frame, enhancing rigidity and robustness while distributing loads efficiently.

Read more: Home Tour: A stylish London house inspired by Danish hygge and Japanese wabi-sabi

This innovative approach blurs the boundaries between the house, garden, and street, encouraging communal interaction and surveillance.

Materials selection is based on sustainability, prioritising low embedded energy, rawness, and simplicity.  Traditional artisanal construction methods and vernacular materials, such as clay channels for planters, cane for fences and screens, and reused timber, infuse the house with character and history.

See also: Home tour: A family home that embodies Filipino craftsmanship and natural beauty 

Biophilic principles are central to the design, using greenery as an environmental cushion to moderate temperature, provide shading, manage rainwater, and promote biodiversity.

Don't miss: 11 tactics for a swift and lucrative luxury home sale

In the tropical climate, protection from direct sunlight and cross-ventilation are essential for cooling. As such, the building’s permeable facade incorporates natural ventilation, lighting, shading, and greenery.

“Planter boxes strategically placed near operable windows enhance airflow, diffuse natural light, and reduce solar heat gain. These features are especially vital in monsoon regions like Kuala Lumpur,” explains Tang.

Read more: 5 idyllic modern tropical bungalows in Malaysia

The design’s emphasis on greenery as an integral part of the building envelope contributes to the ‘green plot ratio” of the plot size, reducing the urban heat island effect and creating a more comfortable living environment.

See also: Home tour: A minimalist inter-terrace house in Singapore that brings the garden into its spaces

A testament to holistic and sustainable architecture, Permeability Housed  embodies the principles of lightness, permeability, and biophilia, creating a harmonious and eco-conscious living space in the heart of Greater Kuala Lumpur.

Its recognition by PAM is well-deserved as it is an inspiring example of how architecture can seamlessly integrate with nature to create a more sustainable and comfortable living environment.

NOW READ

Meet Space Copenhagen: Danish designers crafting iconic restaurant spaces and furniture

5 tips on starting your own vintage Eames collection

10 tranquil modern resort-style homes around Malaysia