A modest Malaysian terrace reborn through light, texture, and restraint
Set within a quiet Malaysian suburb, this renovation reinterprets a typical 1980s terrace house into a contemporary home defined by simplicity, texture, and light. The design preserves the original structure while introducing new layers of spatial depth through modest materials and subtle geometry.
A palette of exposed red brick and black cement render forms the architectural language of the house — raw, economical, and expressive. The circular brick-framed window at the façade conceals the master bathroom, allowing diffused daylight to filter through while maintaining privacy. In front, a Frangipani tree (Plumeria rubra) softens the elevation, its sculptural form mediating between architecture and nature.
At the rear, a red brick wall with three arched niches defines a serene courtyard. A floating cement-rendered bench sits beneath a glass canopy, shaded by Bushida trees (Bucida molinetii) that cast dappled light across the space. The courtyard connects seamlessly to the open-plan interior, where cement render flooring continues from the original broken marble tiles and flows into the cast-in-place kitchen island.
Inside, black cabinetry and a stainless-steel backsplash contrast with the neutral palette, while a large circular arch frames the transition between the main hall and family living area — tying the home’s language of curves and material honesty together.