"Architecture is the materialisation of a concept. It is always very much about a logic, as well as the simplicity and the clarity of the expression." - Bernard Tschumi
The Ho Residence is intended to be a proof of concept on urban renewal and sustainable architecture. The aim is to restore and create an abode in the heart of the city with a visual aesthetic that maintains its original balance of form and function while incorporating the use of modern "green" technology that is sensitive to the surrounding context and environment.
At the core of its design is a detached double-storey house built in 1960 on a 10,000 square foot plot of land in section 12 in the heart of Petaling Jaya.
The Discovery
"Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought." - Albert Szent Gyorgyi
Pic 1: The original house built in 1960 which was showing signs of advanced neglect.
Pic 2: Front facade of the house. Note the wind blocks, air well, wide roof-overhang and other distinct tropical architectural features of the period (1960)
The current owner spotted this dilapidated house partially hidden by overgrowth in a quiet section of PJ and immediately saw its potential. Though its interior showed signs of advanced neglect and decay, its basic structure was intact and remained true to the architectural style of the 1960s.
Seeing the possibility of restoring the building to its former state, he immediately purchased it from its original owner who had lived in the house for nearly 50 years but who was now too frail to continue maintaining it.
The Design
"Design...is an expression of the capability of the human mind to step beyond." - George Nelson, design theorist
The design required a detailed understanding of future space utilisation as well as the need to accommodate two generations under one roof. Accessibility and movement between spaces was critical in determining the overall layout with the older generation occupying the ground level and the younger generation occupying the floor above with common areas in between.
Orientation of the layout also needed to take full advantage of the interplay between light, wind and water. The requirement for large patio areas that opened up to the garden and bridge the inside and outside had to be balanced with the need for privacy and security.
Finally, the use of "green" technology solutions to reduce energy consumption and thermo mass needed to be introduced. The goal was to provide a thermally comfortable dwelling for hot weather that achieves a comfortable indoor temperature range of 25-30 degrees celsius, without active cooling or warming.
The newly launched Green Building Index (GBI) criteria for residential buildings was used as a benchmark to incorporate sustainable solutions in the overall design of the house.
View my other pages (see the right side bar under Blog Archive) for a step-by-step progress of the building's restoration and construction.
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