Solarium House
Solarium House is a radical reworking of a former office unit into a warm, contemplative home defined by subtraction, light, and raw honesty. Located in the heart of Petaling Jaya, this project by Futurground redefines the conventional approach to renovation by focusing on the act of removal rather than addition. It is an architectural excavation that uncovers the latent potential of the original structure, allowing space, light, and air to become the primary materials of design.
The concept of the solarium becomes the central narrative, where light is not merely introduced but sculpted to shape the domestic experience. Vertical voids and roof openings are strategically placed to bring natural light into the deepest parts of the house, while allowing for passive ventilation throughout the interior. These interventions respond directly to the equatorial climate by encouraging airflow, reducing heat build-up, and minimising reliance on mechanical systems. The spatial configuration promotes porosity and movement, allowing the house to breathe and adapt to changing environmental conditions.
The architectural language is deliberately raw and restrained. Layers of plaster and paint were stripped away to reveal the original textures of brick, concrete, and steel. Internal partitions were removed to create visual and spatial continuity. The materials are allowed to express their natural states, creating a sense of groundedness and timelessness. Rather than imposing a new aesthetic, the project uncovers the integrity of the existing shell, and elevates it through light and proportion.
A key element of the project is its commitment to sustainable construction. Debris and waste materials from the demolition process were carefully collected and repurposed for reuse. Cracked marble fragments were reconstituted into terrazzo flooring, and reclaimed roof tiles were transformed into a durable kitchen countertop. These gestures of reuse not only reduce environmental impact but also carry forward the memory and character of the original building into the new domestic life.
Spatially, the house is organised through a sequence of interlocking volumes and intersecting planes. Double-height spaces open into mezzanine platforms, while courtyards and planted terraces are introduced to invite greenery into the interior. Light enters softly through clerestories and skylights, animating surfaces, and casting shadows that change throughout the day. Every space is touched by natural light, creating a calm and contemplative atmosphere for its inhabitants.
Solarium House embodies a quiet resistance to excess, demonstrating how architecture can be both humble and ambitious, where subtraction becomes a tool for spatial richness and climatic responsiveness. Through a careful balance of material economy, environmental logic, and spatial poetics, Futurground has crafted a home that resonates deeply with its context and climate, offering a model for sustainable tropical living.
Text by the architect
PROJECT GALLERY
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Architect : Futurground Design
Client : Undisclosed
Area : 185.81 m²
Project Location : Kuala Lumpur
Year : 2024 -
Interior Designer : Futurground
Contractor : Jaya Bintang Sdn Bhd
Landscape Architect : Futurground
Design Team : Choong Wei Li
Photography : Choong Wei Li -
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Trees
• Dalbergia latifolia (Indian Rosewood)
Shrubs | Groudcovers | Climbers
• Thaumatophyllum xanadu (Philodendron Xanadu)
Turfing : Crusher Run
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