Located in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, The Cara Hotel designed by Wowspace Studio is a refined retreat that bridges contemporary design with intimate luxury. Guided by the philosophy of restraint as luxury and rooted refinement, the hotel avoids fleeting trends in favour of emotional warmth and genuine rest. Rather than literal motifs, Sabah’s mountains, rainforests, and coastlines are abstracted into organic textures and softened forms. Thoughtfully paced spaces and nature-inspired guest rooms create a calm, unhurried atmosphere — an intimate sanctuary where guests can slow down and feel quietly embraced by the spirit of Sabah.

The Shaorou café designed by SML Architects Sdn Bhd, occupies an upper-floor unit in a mixed-use commercial building. The design of the café attracts customers despite the unusual location by differentiating itself from the eateries around. The layout prioritises the internal common corridor as the main frontage, with a lightbox signage to draw attention and an extensive use of glass blocks for visibility as well as privacy. Reconditioned furniture, natural finishes, and an abundance of plants — enhanced by natural light — create a warm and calm atmosphere that contrasts with the surrounding environment.

Within the nostalgic enclave of Salak South, this corner terrace transforms a typical single-storey ‘taman’ house into a compact, multi-species home. Designed for three humans, 18 cats, and 2 dogs, the house is extended upward with a lightweight steel structure. A central landscaped courtyard reorients the plan, improving light and cross ventilation while organising spaces to the perimeter. Living areas connect to a screened terrace, blending indoor and outdoor use. Upstairs mirrors the layout, with a studio and dedicated feline zones. Using a restrained palette of concrete, steel, brick, aluminium, and glass, the design prioritises durability, airflow, and ease of maintenance.

Designed by MinWee Architects, the former 1980s car showroom was transformed into a new office for a logistics company with minimal demolition. Most existing structures were retained, while new additions—mainly lightweight steel—were introduced for speed and cost efficiency. A steel mezzanine creates an open-plan office, and the old dealership rooms now house back-of-house functions. A new single-storey, container-inspired conference block fronts the site. Completed in nine months, the project relied on on-site decision-making and close client involvement, serving as valuable training for the young team.

ASCEND, designed by Design Network Architects, embodies not only physical restoration but also the emotional reconciliation between past and present. This concept, described as "Ascend," views the 50-year-old house at Bampfylde Road as a continuous vessel that carries its past into a renewed future. The essence of architecture lies not in what is built anew, but in what is remembered and reimagined. By retaining the old structure, we preserve not only a building but also the stories that give it its soul and allow living memory that continues to evolve, breathe, and belong. 

A Residence by Uno Space is a tranquil family sanctuary with Zen-inspired architecture. This residence is thoughtfully designed as a serene retreat for a modern family, drawing inspiration from Zen philosophy to cultivate calmness and balance amidst the demands of everyday life. The architectural concept embraces a warm wood-tone palette, which infuses the interiors with a sense of natural harmony and grounded tranquility.

This home curated by J HOUS Studio embraces a minimalist Nordic aesthetic while remaining warm and inviting, giving the newlyweds a serene retreat from their busy routines. Designed with intention, it balances quiet intimacy with spaces that welcome friends and family. At its heart is an open kitchen and dining area, where functionality meets style, allowing for shared cooking, lively dinners, and beautifully curated gatherings.

This Wabi Sabi-inspired home designed by J HOUS Studio reflects a couple’s journey towards building a new life, balancing serenity with practicality. With raw textures, muted tones, and soft curves, the design creates an organic flow that embraces imperfection. The result is a calm and functional space where work, leisure, and family life come together with ease.

SPARK Gallery by Little Elemnts is a renovation that transforms a developer’s office into a flexible space where work and exhibition converge. Terracotta and metal blur boundaries between old and new, solid and porous, functional and expressive. Custom zig-zag steel frames, biophilic planters, and perforated panels filter light, creating a textured narrative of history and openness, rooted in material honesty and designed for adaptive use.

ArchDaily Building of the Year 2025 | Finalist for Houses Category
Brickwood Villa, designed by Futurground, is a thoughtful retrofit of a 1980s suburban home. It features passive design, courtyards, high ceilings, and natural materials to create a breathable, climate-responsive space that embraces ageing, imperfection, and spatial clarity.

Park 2 is a 1960s kampung-style home in Kuching, reimagined by CC Chan Architect into a modern, eco-friendly dwelling. Retaining the original footprint, it blends traditional elements with contemporary design in a sustainable, low-maintenance home.

IDC Architects renovated a three-storey shophouse into Satok Furniture’s showroom, using practical industrial finishes and adding perforated sliding screens to reinforce brand identity along Jalan Wan Alwi.

OCTQ Architects crafted a home where fun meets functionality — a sculptural, blossom-inspired staircase and a four-storey rock climbing wall add playful charm, while the maroon façade brings elegance. Vibrant walkways and stunning KL skyline views complete this dynamic, party-ready space — perfectly reflecting its owner's bold aesthetic.

J HOUS Studio transformed this double-storey house with Japandi design, blending Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics to introduce functionality, warmth, and light into the space.

Billy Goat Coffee, designed by Design Network Architects, transforms a flood-prone storage space into a cosy coffee bar with minimal modifications, blending adaptability and comfort for coffee lovers.

MIID Reka Design Awards 2023 for Design Excellence | Silver Award in Public & Institutional Category
Selected from a design shortlisting process by PAMSC, IDC Architects created a multifunctional space for the architects, graduates, and the public. The design highlights the use of common building materials such as oxidised metal, in-situ concrete, and plywood to craft memorable, functional spaces.

ADA Designer of the Year Award 2024 (East Malaysia)
ADA Best Residential Design (Landed) 2024 > 3000 sq ft | Gold winner
Botanika Garden P House, designed by J HOUS Studio, masterfully balances geometric forms with an emphasis on natural light, utilising strategically placed windows and a skylight to create a calm and harmonious ambience.

Refurbishing Kuching’s long-abandoned Country View Hotel, MWA Architects transformed the derelict building into a modern hotel. With a new facade, upgraded facilities, and a blend of history and innovation, Roxy Impiana Hotel begins a new chapter in its legacy.