5 idyllic modern tropical bungalows in Malaysia

Modern in outlook yet embracing the balmy Malaysian climate, these five breezy modern tropical bungalows are a treat for the senses

The tropical climate has much to recommend it—lush greenery, ample sunlight, and warmth add up to create a unique sensory experience.

A modern tropical home is an appealing architectural expression of this tropical atmosphere; it embraces the climate while framing it within a sleek design vocabulary.

This appealing typology lends itself to the Malaysian climate, where greenery is plentiful even in more urban settings. Here, modern tropical homes are built around human experience and expand spatial boundaries to structure light and environment around daily life.

We've identified five modern tropical homes which utilise modernist ideas to create open, picturesque places to live.

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A family home with a gravity-defying roof in Bukit Raja forest reserve, Selangor

Photo 1 of 3 Greenery is plentiful and lush (Photo: Lawrence Choo)

Photo 2 of 3 The facade has a fortress-esque feel (Photo: Lawrence Choo)

Photo 3 of 3 The magnificent roof of the YeYuen House (Photo: Lawrence Choo)

Designed by award-winning Malaysian architect Wooi Lok Kuang, YeYuen House explores the possibilities of geometry to the fullest.

Situated on a slight elevation and looking out onto the green undulations of the Bukit Raja forest reserve in Selangor, the YeYuen House adopts some of the organic curves found in nature.

Photo 1 of 2 The swooping roof (Photo: Lawrence Choo)

Photo 2 of 2 The seamless blending of indoor and outdoor spaces (Photo: Lawrence Choo)

The grand family home comprises a series of pavilions enhanced by a stunning interplay of abstract lines and curves.

These architectural flourishes serve a real purpose as the resulting spaces allow for autonomous yet harmonious family living and also allow for the building to meld with the setting.

A modern net zero energy home in Kuala Lumpur

Photo 1 of 3 The heart of the home is the serene pool area (Photo: Lin Ho)

Photo 2 of 3 A profile of the net zero home (Photo: Lin Ho)

Photo 3 of 3 The master bedroom has a generous balcony (Photo: Lin Ho)

Designed to encapsulate its owners' love for the environment and express this through its architecture, this modern resort-style bungalow is a net zero energy home set amid metro Kuala Lumpur.

This literal greenhouse was awarded a Silver in the residential category at MIID REKA Awards 2022 and a project by Dr Tan Loke Mun, principal of DrTanLM Architect, director of ArchiCentre Sdn Bhd, and Founder and Director for DTLM Design Group.

Photo 1 of 3 Simple finishes were favoured and complement the owners' art collection (Photo: Lin Ho)

Photo 2 of 3 Pockets of open spaces are incorporated to promote natural ventilation and lighting (Photo: Lin Ho)

Photo 3 of 3 The living space features high ceilings and an open plan (Photo: Lin Ho)

The brief required a house for a two-generational family with generous open living spaces to entertain guests, private rooms with resort facilities customised to each family member’s requirements, and green sustainable features.

A net zero energy home, it generates 20kWp of solar PV (solar photovoltaic) with solar panels which create more energy than what is consumed annually. Various passive design strategies were implemented, such as the front façade with a stainless steel mirror finish brise-soleil.

A colourful home with whimsical touches in Johor

Photo 1 of 2 The pastel “Good Time Patio” was inspired by David Hockney (Photo: David Yeow)

Photo 2 of 2 Built-in speakers were installed in the pool (Photo: David Yeow)

Set in Horizon Hills, Johor, CH and Evon Goh took full advantage of the modernity, privacy, and clean-cut layout of the over 4,000 sq ft bungalow structure to create spaces that reflect the personalities of their family.

A sense of playfulness informs many of the choices. Still, there is no mistaking the attention paid to detail and quality, especially as the Gohs are owners of Best Home Furniture, a furniture manufacturer and retailer with several showrooms in Johor.

Photo 1 of 3 Colour has been embraced throughout this home including the living room (Photo: David Yeow)

Photo 2 of 3 The bar inspired by the Raffles Hotel in the foreground while the dining room lies beyond (Photo: David Yeow)

Photo 3 of 3 A 'secret garden' was created between the master bedroom and the daughter’s room (Photo: David Yeow)

The whole design process was smooth because it was led by Rix Wong of Plateau Design Studio. Rix is a close collaborator, a long-time friend, and practically a part of the family.

Initially, the direction was the colonial style. Still, in the end, a happy mix was arrived at, which, while functional, was also congruent to the lush tropical atmosphere of the surroundings. The most eye-catching of these different ideas has to be the ‘Good Time Patio’, which pays homage to CH’s favourite artist, David Hockney, with its bright pastels and California vibe.

A bungalow in Selangor with bespoke details

Photo 1 of 2 The house features a sleek modern profile (Photo: The Space Storyteller)

Photo 2 of 2 The house was designed to embrace its surroundings (Photo: The Space Storyteller)

This bungalow was newly built in suburban Kelana Jaya for a family spread over a generous 6,000 sq ft.

The architecture was designed to capture the lush environment while bringing nature in and taking full advantage of the open space to create a functional and welcoming home.

Photo 1 of 2 Neutral with pops of blue was the overall colour palette (Photo: The Space Storyteller)

Photo 2 of 2 A view of the open plan living and dining space (Photo: The Space Storyteller)

The home's interior design was entrusted to Blaine Robert Design, who worked closely with the architect to choose the right floor finishes and patterns to enhance luxury with a timeless look and feel.

The concept has a contemporary focus with subtle, neutral hues like calming wood grain finishes with pops of blue. In addition, an internal walkway for both the upper and lower levels was created to set a resort-style mood and allow the residents to experience the environment around them safely in their own homes.

A serene bungalow in Kuala Lumpur

Above The welcoming foyer (Photo: David Yeow)

Above Trailing green plants (Photo: David Yeow)

The owner’s meditation practice is abundantly clear in the refurbishing of this 15,000 sq ft residence in Damansara Heights which achieves just the right balance of modernity and nature, light and air, metal and concrete, tranquillity and practicality.

When the property was first purchased 28 years ago, the home was built to emulate the traditional Balinese style. However, the issue of liveability was made more apparent when the family grew to include two children.

Photo 1 of 2 Large picture windows look out to the lush greenery. Simple modern lines are a hallmark of Seshan Design’s architecture. (Photo: David Yeow)

Photo 2 of 2 The owner’s artwork, furniture and objects reflect her refined taste (Photo: David Yeow)

The owner turned to architect Ramesh Seshan of Seshan Design to transform the whole property to create a modern, pared-back home with a strong emphasis on functionality which was also attentive to all the nuanced needs and preferences of the family members.

As a former interior designer herself, the owner was mindful of creating a dwelling that reflected her own values. The redesigning process was thus an opportunity to look inwards and establish a sanctuary—a place that would be a refuge from the world of work and stress. Nature itself is invited in, becoming an internal, rather than an external, feature.

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Topics

Home Tour Designinspo Modernist Malaysian Architecture Tropical Modernism Green House Mod Trop