Dezeen Magazine

Eleena Jamil's Vermani House features raw concrete, a courtyard and a slide

A horseshoe-shaped courtyard with a matching first floor terrace forms the heart of this remodelled and extended house in Kuala Lumpur, designed by local architect Eleena Jamil (+ slideshow).

Vermani House by Eleena Jamil

Eleena Jamil was approached by a couple to remodel a small existing house in the Malaysian capital, to create a generous home for themselves and their young daughter with a mix of enclosed and open-air spaces.

Vermani House by Eleena Jamil

Drawing inspiration from the rawness of Brutalist architecture, she proposed stripping the house back to its base materials and adding a two-storey extension on the opposite side of a courtyard.

Vermani House by Eleena Jamil

"From the outset, the owners agreed to the idea that the house will be rough, to feel real inside and outside, and to do away with the 'cosmetics' of paint and plaster," explained Jamil.

Vermani House by Eleena Jamil

Instead, the exposed structure and services form a backdrop to the family's domestic activities. "The house displays its raw construction and tectonic quality, thus effectively giving it special poetic dimension," said the architect.

Vermani House by Eleena Jamil

Named Vermani House, the residence is framed by a long brick wall that marks the boundary to a neighbouring property. The rest of the building is constructed from concrete.

Vermani House by Eleena Jamil

A series of steel columns support the floor plates as they curve around the edge of the courtyard, described by Jamil as "the heart of the house". This space separates the existing building from the new extension.

Vermani House by Eleena Jamil

The staircase extends up at the rear of this open-air space, leading up to the terrace that links the two first-floor areas. Several windows face this space, helping to bring in light without compromising privacy.

Vermani House by Eleena Jamil

"The house turns its back to the street with minimal openings on the front facade, effectively providing its occupants maximum privacy," added Jamil. "Conversely, it opens up fully onto the outdoor terraces around the rear courtyard."

Vermani House by Eleena Jamil

The family living and dining room occupies the majority of the ground floor within the original building, while the spaces upstairs have now been freed up to accommodate the children's room and a second lounge. A slide connects the two levels.

Vermani House by Eleena Jamil

The extension houses a master bedroom and en suite bathroom on the ground floor. A study and gym can be found upstairs.

Vermani House by Eleena Jamil

Photography is by Marc Tey.

Vermani House by Eleena Jamil
Axonometric diagram – click for larger image
Vermani House by Eleena Jamil
Floor plans – click for larger image
Vermani House by Eleena Jamil
Section – click for larger image