Modern appeal

Main focus of the renovation was to create a perfect balance of comforting texture and atmospheric lighting.

Wed, Sep 28, 2011
The Star/Asia News Network

By Willy Wilson

Creating a home within a 4,900 sq ft condominium unit can be a tough task, particularly when the layout is of a triangle shape with curved edges. To transform this spacious unit into a home with a heart, the homeowners, a Hong Kong-based couple with two children, enlisted the help of designer-cum-architect Adeline Lim of Malreka Associates Sdn Bhd.

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"It is a big space, but not a well-lit one," says Lim, who is known for her minimalist aesthetic. Therefore, the main focus of the renovation was to create a perfect balance of comforting texture and atmospheric lighting.

Adeline also made several structural changes "to align the odd angles" by adding glass and mirror partitions on one end, and knocking down walls on another.

She explains that every structural change that has been made was a part of an effort to maximise the lighting. Meanwhile, custom-made furniture, built-in wardrobe and unique chandeliers have been thrown into the interior mix, creating a warm and welcoming ambience within the unit.

StarProperty.my sits down with Adeline Lim about her work here.

Living large

The original layout of the unit sees two living areas, a walled-up kitchen and three bedrooms. While the expansive layout allows the designer to experiment with space allocation, Adeline argues that the original layout left certain parts of the unit underutilised.

One of the first spatial problems Adeline identified was the proportion of the master bedroom, which she deemed too small for a unit this big. Meanwhile, there were two living areas, which took up more than half of the entire unit.

"It doesn't make sense to have two large living areas when the master bedroom is so small. And considering that homeowners don't live here - they visit KL about three to four times a year - I proposed that we keep the main living area intact while turning the other living area into a part of the master bedroom as well as a private family quarter."

She further adds that the size of the main living area is big enough to allocate some parts of it for a dining and a study. Serving as a backdrop of the dining is a mirror wall, behind which the private family quarter and three bedrooms are situated.

Adeline reckons that this positioning of this mirror wall is crucial, as not only it creates a spatial clarity between the common and private areas, but it also reflects the natural light that comes in from the balcony. Furthermore, it gives a modern identity to the house.

"The mirror wall is there for both aesthetic and functional purposes. By putting a straight-lined partition, in this case a mirror wall, not only do we align the layout, but we also light up the entire unit. All thanks to the natural light that comes in from the balcony, which is located right opposite of the dining," says Adeline.

Meanwhile, some structural changes have been done in the kitchen too. Located behind the main living hall, the triangle-shaped kitchen is adorned by a long marble top and a quirky chandelier.

Adeline explains that she decided to tear down a wall that previously divided the kitchen in the middle to achieve a sleeker look. To further enhance the unbounded feel, she replaced a part of the wall with clear glass. As this unit is meant to be a holiday house, a simple but aesthetically complementing kitchen was deemed fitting.

Common ground

What's interesting about the design of this unit is that while it exudes a cool vibe commonly found in Adeline's design aesthetic, it is also significantly more colourful and ornate than her previous projects.

Reputed as one of a few minimalist advocates in the industry, Adeline is a designer whose signature design never fails to showcase a quiet elegance with a hint of industrialist flair.

"As a designer, I have to be able to find a common ground with my client where design aesthetic is concerned. My works that you were referring to were mostly landed property projects, which allow my personal aesthetic to show on the structural work.

"As such instances, the interior followed the structural identity. But things are different when working solely for the interior. In the case of this spacious condominium unit, I worked closely with my client to choose the colours and shape of the interior items," she comments.

However, she is quick to point that the structural alteration in this unit has been quite significant, as evident in the living area, master bedroom and kitchen. A glimpse of her signature design can also be found on the furniture pieces, most of which she personally designed.

The L-shaped sofa in the main living area, for example, dons an understated elegance with its minimalist cut. Then there's the black dining table complete with matching chairs, which are made stylish by its structural features and angular construction.

Other statement pieces include the study table and the built-in bookshelves, which epitomise contemporary sculptural design in neutral colours such as black and white.

Complementing these bespoke pieces are Shell Chairs by Hans Wegner in the living room.

"The beauty of custom-made furniture is that there's always a precise consideration when it comes to measurement and colours," she concludes.