In Kuching, Sarawak, a striking residence on Jalan Urat Mata exemplifies modern tropical living. The house, designed by MNSC Architects, is a masterful blend of contemporary aesthetics and practical family living, spanning an impressive 11,150 sq ft.
Lau Ming Ngi, co-founder of MNSC Architects, who led the project alongside co-founder Thang Suh Chee, explains, “Our client requested a living space that could accommodate three generations and two pet corgis. We saw this as an opportunity to create a home that’s both expansive and intimate.”
n Kuching, Sarawak, a striking residence on Jalan Urat Mata exemplifies modern tropical living. The house, designed by MNSC Architects, is a masterful blend of contemporary aesthetics and practical family living, spanning an impressive 11,150 sq ft.
Lau Ming Ngi, co-founder of MNSC Architects, who led the project alongside co-founder Thang Suh Chee, explains, “Our client requested a living space that could accommodate three generations and two pet corgis. We saw this as an opportunity to create a home that’s both expansive and intimate.”
Flexibility is a recurring theme throughout the home. The living room, equipped with glass folding doors, can transform from a private family space to an expansive entertainment area connecting to an outdoor patio and BBQ deck.
“These flexible layouts provide infinite opportunities to create unique experiences and memories with dear ones,” Lau explains.
The ground floor’s open plan eliminates traditional boundaries between family, dining, and kitchen areas, ensuring visual connectivity. Upstairs, a steel-grated walkway spans the exterior of the master bedroom, offering a unique vantage point.
“It works as a passageway and a balcony for the occupants to enjoy the external ambience without worrying about being seen or exposed to the harsh sun,” Lau says.
Perhaps the most striking feature is the 2.5-meter-high rectangular vent block wall.
“With a dimension of 190 x 390 x 190/140, the blocks were arranged in which all blocks were mirrored to its adjacent blocks,” Lau details. “This creates an expressive yet pragmatic façade element.”
The home’s design also prioritises climate responsiveness.
Operable interventions like folding doors and pivoted lattice screens allow for natural light and ventilation, enhancing thermal comfort in Kuching’s tropical climate.
The first-floor entertainment room showcases the architects’ commitment to versatility.
“With sliding screens and glass doors, the space adapts to weather conditions and various functions,” Lau points out. “Whether it’s a movie night or a study session, sunny or rainy day, the room’s atmosphere can be tailored to maximise the experience.”
“As ‘cool’ as the façade may seem,” Lau reflects, “House at Urat Mata is a house that embraces every possibility, a tropical home that compromises seclusion with inclusion, a family’s haven behind the wall.”
The success of this thoughtful design was recently recognised at the PAM Awards 2024, where it secured a Silver award in the single residential category.
It is a shining example of how modern architecture can create spaces that are not just visually stunning but deeply livable and adaptable to the needs of a multi-generational family while respecting and responding to its tropical surroundings.
