A Simple Suburban House In Kuala Lumpur With A Striking Arched Extension

Located in Kuala Lumpur, in Malaysia, this beautiful concrete house is unlike any of its neighboring suburban homes. It stands tall and proud and it has a rather peculiar shape. At the same time, it doesn’t look totally out of place and that’s because it actually started out as just another suburban terrace house. It was Fabian Tan Architects who transformed it into the unique structure it is today. The project was completed in 2020 and consisted of the renovation and extension of the existing house. 

The extension adds a new series of living areas and brings the house closer to the garden
The extension adds a new series of living areas and brings the house closer to the garden
The arched section features oversized wooden doors which allow it to flow into the garden
The arched section features oversized wooden doors which allow it to flow into the garden

The idea behind the project was to transform and expand the house but with minimal intervention to the original structure. The resulting new design as a whole had to be very simple but also bold. The solution chosen by the architects was a very clever one. Their strategy was to design a concrete extension with a raw and exposed finish but to opt for a bold shape, hence the arched roof. This gives the house an interesting aesthetic and also makes the spaces look really cool from the inside. 

The extension also has large sliding doors which open it up to the exterior
The extension also has large sliding doors which open it up to the exterior
This section of the house features a rugged concrete finish on both the interior and the exterior
This section of the house features a rugged concrete finish on both the interior and the exterior
A series of concrete decks and terraces allow for a smooth transition between the living areas and the garden
A series of concrete decks and terraces allow for a smooth transition between the living areas and the garden

The extension adds a series of new living spaces allowing the original ground floor to be repurposed. Its huge double doors allow the new living area to be beautifully linked up with the garden and opens it towards the outdoors and nature in a way that the original house was unable to. Furthermore, the vaulted ceiling was cleverly used to create a series of layered spaces which overlook one another and take full advantage of the unique architecture and design of the house. 

The unfinished concrete walls of the extension contrast with the original house design
The unfinished concrete walls of the extension contrast with the original house design
The height of the vaulted ceiling was cleverly utilized to create a series of layered spaces
The height of the vaulted ceiling was cleverly utilized to create a series of layered spaces
The inverted arch window adds a bold twist to the simple design of the extension
The inverted arch window adds a bold twist to the simple design of the extension
The arched roof extends out into the garden and forms a beautiful entrance
The arched roof extends out into the garden and forms a beautiful entrance
Although the original house and the new extension have very different aesthetics, they complement one another beautifully
Although the original house and the new extension have very different aesthetics, they complement one another beautifully