Ryvanden
Scope of Works
This project was a pleasure to work on as the client prepared a very detailed and clear brief, but still allowed us enough flexibility to explore ideas and details. As with most of our projects, we were involved from concept design until the build was completed. The interiors were designed by an interior designer in collaboration with us. We also prepared the landscape concept design. Details such as the staircase, swimming pool, balconies and bed boxes all fell into our scope as did the layout of bathrooms. The materials and kitchen detailing were selected by the interior designer.
Raw materials were used in this project, such as off-form concrete in two different textures, smooth for the building and rough for the front wall element with small sections of timber attached to the formwork. Many details were worked out directly on the site with the contractor including the random driveway pattern.
The whole experience was very fulfilling and the client was happy with the result. The house won a Housing Industry Award.
Description of the Project.
Ryvanden House is a double-storey detached house set on almost an acre of land within a gated community alongside Sarawak Golf Club. The house was designed primarily to take advantage of the views of the golf course while maintaining privacy from the nearby condominiums.
The design is modern, yet restrained and introverted in terms of its public façade. The frontage is an imposing blank wall cast from raw concrete with two openings to admit cars and people. The wall is designed for both privacy and security, whilst providing a glimpse into the interior spaces.
A series of layers direct your journey through the building. Starting at the wall with a metal gate, you walk upon a timber deck under a glass Porte cochere. This leads over a pond, into the front porch area. A massive pivoted red front door is a modern interpretation of the traditional Chinese door.
A landscaped courtyard with sculptures is the transition space between the house and the wall. These private courtyards protect the house from the condominiums and provide cool afternoon spaces. A terrace is positioned within this area, off the main living area.
Once you enter the foyer, the swimming pool vista is opened up, stretching out from the double height glass atrium, with the golf course beyond. The left wing leads to the more private zone of the AV Room and children’s study, with utility areas linking to the enclosed garage.
The right wing houses the more public areas of living, dining, kitchen and games room. The single loaded rooms are bounded by the terrace and lanai, and huge glass doors open up to provide maximum cross ventilation. The light steel and timber staircase is located adjacent to the foyer. The balustrade is stainless steel wire, tensioned from floor to ceiling and creates a very light and delicate structure.
Bedrooms are located on the first floor, with the master bedroom suite occupying the left wing and the three children’s’ bedrooms and guest suite overlooking the lanai.
Materials chosen are raw and edgy. The structure is predominately concrete with exposed off-form finish, left raw, to age with time. Galvanised steel is used for eaves and handrails. Selected steel columns are painted in bright colours to accentuate the layering effect of the materials and spaces. Custom Mini Orb is used as cladding in certain areas to contrast with the off-form concrete.
The Ryvanden House is modern in it’s lines and plays with a sophisticated contrast of materials and textures from the raw exterior, to the sleek and refined interior. The design is contemporary but still draws on traditional Asian/tropical elements such as the Chinese red door, courtyards and the use of water. The open concept of a kampung (traditional Malay) house is also seen with large common lanai space, large overhangs and the use of cross ventilation to suit the local tropical climate.
