Tropical Box House / WHBC Architects

Tropical Box House / WHBC Architects - Table, Chair, Shelving, BeamTropical Box House / WHBC Architects - Chair, BeamTropical Box House / WHBC Architects - Facade, WindowsTropical Box House / WHBC Architects - Table, Chair, Windows, BeamTropical Box House / WHBC Architects - More Images+ 19

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Tropical Box House / WHBC Architects - Image 8 of 24
© Kent Soh

Text description provided by the architects. A concrete tropical box that embraces the lush jungle. The project was envisioned as an inward looking abode that safeguards its interior from the tropical sun and rain while at the same time, embraces the dense, natural floral enclave that the house sits within.

Tropical Box House / WHBC Architects - Table, Chair, Windows, Beam
© Kent Soh

Set in the tropics, we designed a concrete egg-crate structure that envelopes the house to keep the heat out, but draw daylight in to create comfortable spaces within. The perforated nature of this envelope allows the existing overgrowth to grow into the volume of the house, thus softening the boundary of inside and outside.

Tropical Box House / WHBC Architects - Image 18 of 24
Ground Floor Plan

The egg-crate structure is built of in-situ concrete as a sun-filtering device at the depth of 900mm. The structure naturally allows daylight to filter through but resists radiation. Concrete fins of 150mm thickness reinforce the structure by framing openings of various sizes at a controlled rhythm. This further facilitates the regulation of light intensity inside.

Tropical Box House / WHBC Architects - Table, Chair, Shelving, Beam
© Kent Soh

From the entry level, the existing site slopes downwards to the back. The design takes advantage of the sloping terrain to keep the dampness and humidity out within a tropical environment. The spaces are arranged to keep most parts of the house raised from the ground. This elevates the house to sit among the canopy of trees.

Tropical Box House / WHBC Architects - Windows, Facade, Courtyard
© Kent Soh

The main spaces- living, dining and the pool are positioned at the entry level; the bedrooms are placed on the upper floor; finally, a garage and service area sits on the lower ground. This ensured that dampness and pest is kept away, keeping the house airy and dry.

Tropical Box House / WHBC Architects - Chair, Beam
© Kent Soh

The main approach to the house is via a bridge flanked by multiple mature Albizia trees. From the entrance, a relatively narrow walkway, adjacent to a stairway and an internal courtyard, leads to the open living area.

Tropical Box House / WHBC Architects - Image 23 of 24
Elevation

Upon arrival, the suppressed journey opens outwards to a double volume deck reflected upon a pool. The pool and the adjoining garden are enclosed within the volume of this egg-crate structure. These spaces are completely surrounded by green foliage as they hover close to the tropical canopy.

Tropical Box House / WHBC Architects - Windows
© Kent Soh

Looking beyond the pool and the garden, one is greeted with a clear and extended panoramic view of the forest. On upper floors, windows are specially designed to capture views of big beautiful trees. A seemingly heavy concrete box, it touches the ground lightly, places itself among the trees and encourages the enduring landscape to grow within it.

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About this office
Cite: "Tropical Box House / WHBC Architects" 27 May 2015. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/635387/house-tropical-box-whbc-architects> ISSN 0719-8884

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