The double-volume, timber-lined ceiling that dips down steeply from the first floor to the ground floor creates a sense of space at the Chia Home. Photos: The Star/Azman Ghani
It is not very often that you come across a home that presents such a balanced amalgamation of textures like the lovely Chia Home in Cyberjaya.
Built mainly from wood, glass and steel, the exterior of the house also presents exposed brick walls to add to the lovely blend of contrasting materials.
The result is an innovative home that steals the show with its distinct façade and breezy interiors from its surroundings. A beautiful custom-made wooden front door welcomes you into the house that features an ergonomic open-plan living space.
Designed by Eleena Jamil Architects, the house features glass walls that create a wonderful indoor-outdoor interplay and extend the living area beyond the normal confines of the home.
“The design was inspired by simple volumes and geometries. Once these have been established, they go through a process of subtraction, cutting and addition, to make a house that works spatially for comfortable everyday living while responding to the climate,” says architect Eleena Jamil.
Meanwhile, homeowners Jimmy and Lilian Chia shared that they had no idea what they wanted for their dream house except that “we wanted a modern house that uses steel and glass, and for the house to be naturally bright and well ventilated.”
And their dream house has certainly materialised.
Designed as a sculptural object of its own, the staircase is an arresting feature of the house.
Spacious, bright and airy
“Our two-and-a-half-storey newly-built bungalow has a build-up area of about 5,400sq ft (501sq m). Construction was supposed to take only 15 months to complete but because of interruptions caused by Covid-19, the completion date was delayed from Sept 2020 to July 2021,” shares Lilian.
It took another three to four months before the couple got the place to be “liveable”.
Upon entering the main door, visitors will notice the double-volume ceiling that is timber-lined and dips down steeply from the first floor to the ground floor that creates a sense of space.
Says Eleena, “The first thing that catches the eye is how bright, lofty and airy the house is. The tall sloping ceiling in the living area allows full views out to the garden and also views of the upper levels of the house.”
Undeniably one of the most unique parts of the house as well as the most challenging, the staircase was one of the last bits of the house to be completed.
The homeowners spend most of their time in the spacious living room.
Says Eleena, “We wanted it to be as slim as possible and worked closely with the engineer and contractor to achieve the slimmest possible structure to support the staircase between floors. It took a few mock-ups and adjustments at the site during construction before we could get it right.
“The staircase is an important element of a house and deserves special design attention.
“Homeowners use staircases every day, and the process of moving up and down the house should be one of delight and pleasure and should provide interesting views.
“The staircase in this house is designed so that it forms a sculptural object of its own and is almost separate from the walls, snaking up the triple-height lantern-like space in the middle of the house. It is designed to look as light as possible, with pre-formed steel sections supporting solid timber treads,” shares Eleena.
In the meantime, the overall decor of the home has been kept simple and minimal while letting the flood of sunlight that illuminates almost every room of the house be the highlight.
The raw brick wall separating the wet and dry kitchen adds a natural charm.
“We believe that a well-designed house should use local materials as much as it is practical, with plenty of cross ventilation and lots of natural light,” adds Lilian.
The lower level contains the living area and other public spaces while the main bedrooms sit on the top floor. Greenery around the house elevates the scenic appeal of the setting and also is the central piece of a landscape that feels like an extension of the living area.
“The open-concept living room- cum-dining and dry kitchen is our favourite place in the house. We feel very comfortable here because it is spacious, bright and airy,” shares Lilian.
The interplay between shadow and light during different times of the day makes the home a real delight indeed.
The double-volume, timber-lined ceiling that dips down steeply from the first floor to the ground floor creates a sense of space at the Chia Home. Photos: The Star/Azman Ghani
Natural light floods every corner of the home.
Open corner shelves provide easily accessible storage and allow the owners to display their favourite things.
The guest room on the ground floor features antique furniture that has been in the family for years.
The raw brick wall separating the wet and dry kitchen adds a natural charm.
A precious book and a vintage Marbell Stone Art Belgium piece on display.
Designed as a sculptural object of its own, the staircase is an arresting feature of the house.
The homeowners spend most of their time in the spacious living room.
