Home tour: This modernist family home in Kuala Lumpur features thoughtful design for multi-generational living

Tatler Asia

12-06-2025

Above The striking exterior of Max House showcases DCA+ architects' modernist design with overlapping concrete planes and warm Thermopine cladding
Yeow was drawn to the scope of this project and was intrigued by the challenge of balancing the private with the communal. There was also the fact that the client was a long-time friend of Yeow's from secondary school. 'Having known him for many years, there was a deep level of trust and understanding throughout the design process.'
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Above A bold composition of overlapping concrete planes and dynamic cantilevered elements
Above The resort-style pool area features a sunken seating area with turquoise cushions, exemplifying the seamless indoor-outdoor living concept
With its dense vegetation and winding slopes, the serene enclave that is Bukit Tunku provided a spectacular backdrop. It made sense for DCA+ to integrate nature into the whole architectural scheme. As Yeow notes, 'we embraced the philosophy of 'form follows nature', allowing the site's conditions to inform architectural decisions.'
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Above The infinity pool extends toward the verdant landscape
Full-height glazing on the north-south orientations were put in place to allow unobstructed, expansive views of the outdoors. Mature trees were preserved and extensive landscaping was implemented. The team also made it a priority to maintain the perimeter slopes in order to minimise soil disturbance and to mitigate the impact of the construction.
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Above The floating open-riser staircase wraps gracefully around a glass lift, serving as both a sculptural centrepiece and a thoughtful accessibility feature
Above The ground floor was designed as the heart of the home, seamlessly integrating the living, dining, and kitchen areas for fluid movement
In fact, there was a consistent effort to respect the site and its environs. When the land was acquired in 2018, there was already an existing house. Rather than demolishing the structure wholesale, the team opted for a lighter touch by preserving as much of the original building as possible – including its foundations, columns, and retaining structures.
Thus, while the 25,000 sq ft Max House exudes a bold sense of modernity, it also represents a definite sense of continuity with what had come before.
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Photo 1 of 2 Soaring double-height ceilings and full-height glazing transform the living area into a cathedral of light
Photo 2 of 2 A dramatic double-volume living space where the granite feature wall contrasts against the warmth of Thermopine cladding
Seen from the exterior, there is no denying the visual impact of the overlapping concrete planes. Yeow explains that they constitute 'dynamic architectural gestures'. This bold geometry is matched indoors by the double-height living room, which is all about the interplay between solid and void.
While these features create a sense of drama, they are also tempered by other design elements that introduce quieter, more nuanced touches. As always, balance was a prime concern.
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Photo 1 of 2 The sophisticated lounge area balances comfort with architectural elegance, with carefully curated furnishings by EDI, led by Cherry Chong and team
Photo 2 of 2 The sophisticated lounge area balances comfort with architectural elegance, with carefully curated furnishings by EDI, led by Cherry Chong and team
The material palette, in particular, helped to create an inviting feel. The living room may boast a striking full-length granite feature wall, but the Thermopine cladding throughout lends a refined warmth to the space.
Concrete might feel a bit raw, but the Max House's board-form concrete walls were treated with a timber-strip shuttering technique, adding a layer of tactility and depth. The luxurious Botticino marble of the main living areas is balanced by the welcoming tones of the bedroom's Burmese teak, Sienna walnut, and honey maple.
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Above The state-of-the-art AV room seamlessly blends technology with comfort, featuring acoustic treatments that harmonise with the home's refined material palette
Elegant functionality
Above An intimate conversation corner where a cluster of pendant lights cascade from above, casting a warm glow against the light-colored stone wall
Above A luxurious bathroom showcases the refined material palette with granite feature walls, contemporary fixtures and woven pendant lights
In terms of tailoring this home to its multigenerational family, DCA+ settled on the concept of 'stacked living' as a guiding principle for the distribution and utilisation of space. The ground floor was designated as the heart of the home: here, we find a seamless flow between the living, dining, and kitchen areas.
This floor is also where the parents' suite is located. The caretaker's room is directly adjacent to that suite, thus ensuring support is always readily at hand. Meanwhile, the higher floors cater more to the younger generations. The use of staggered volumes shapes the flow of movement and also carves out areas that are more private.
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Above The board-form concrete walls treated with timber-strip shuttering technique add tactile depth to the modernist facade while preserving mature trees below
The centrepiece of the interior would have to be the lift with its wraparound staircase. These elements are artistic statements in and of themselves: the glass of the lift allows natural light to flood the interior while the open-riser staircase contributes a feeling of weightlessness.
Yeow enthuses about how these features 'interact with light, shadow, and materiality'. For all that, these central elements were also designed with functionality in mind. At the design phase,it was of the essence to ensure accessibility for the client's mother, whose health was a key consideration.
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Above Max House at night has a futuristic feel with strategically places lights
In the end, the completion of the project was a bittersweet moment, as the client's mother was never able to experience the space. So much of the design had been tailored around what was important to her.
Still, the residence serves as a lasting tribute to the late matriarch. As Yeow puts it, 'her presence is deeply embedded in the home's design, even while it continues to serve the family's evolving needs'.
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Credits
Photography: Heartpatrick
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