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4.0 Introduction
His home, the Wooi Residence, is his tribute to the architecture of the
traditional Malay house. As a test bed of ideas (personal communication,
2017), Wooi Residence is the most detail-rich work of Woois, proving useful as
a point of departure for his future construction innovations. The construction of
Wooi Residence begins with the laying of the tiang seri (principal post),
representing Woois appreciation for the influences of the Malay culture and
traditions on architecture. Chengal is used for the tiang seri, not only for its
structural strength and ability to withstand harsh weathers but also for its
position in the hierarchy of timber used in traditional Malay construction.
Figure 1: Tiang Seri in Wooi Residence
From the tiang seri, a vaulted timber assembly whose curves are derived from
the curved contours of the site, extends radially outward to support the main
curved roof over the house. As the curve is irregular, each piece of timber truss
is of differing lengths. Woois affinity for the well-made is further depicted in the
juncture between the truss and other architectural elements in the house. For
instance, trusses are aligned to coincide precisely with timber frames of
windows or columns that make up handrails below.
Figure 2: Exposed roof trusses that fan out from the tiang seri in Wooi Residence
Wooi also draws inspiration from the stitching of spaces in a traditional Malay
house. In Wooi Residence, Wooi designs a selang, a transit point for users
between the various spaces of each floor. Traditionally, the selang functions as
an open linking space between two portions of the Malay house, providing
ample ventilation and lighting into living spaces. Wooi uses the selang within
Wooi Residence as a formal joint to mediate between spaces of different
privacy levels.
In his later project House 9, the idea of the selang has been reiterated in the
form of an internal street that mediates the circulation from the public entrance
to the private sanctuary within the home. This atrium-like street runs diagonally
through the house, formally linking the street to other spaces within the house
both physically, leading to the living room and dining room, as well as visually,
with the bedrooms and the balconies overhead.
Other elements from the Malay traditional house that inspires Woois tectonic
expression is the anjung. Traditionally, an anjung functions as a seating area for
guests and the family, with seats being an architectural element built into the
house. Wooi Residence incorporates an anjung in the family area. Here, the seat
has been designed to be built in as part of the house with openings at the base
of the seats, allowing ventilation into the house.
Figure 3: Detail of timber seat and air gap above family area
The anjung is also a recurring detail in Woois House 9. In an attempt to
humanize space, Wooi designs seats that are part of the brick columns on the
ground floor as well as part of the railing of the first floor. His reasoning is that
people easily form attachment and meaning associated with a favourite seat and
rarely from a favourite column or handrail. This contemporary variation of an
anjung effectively creates pocket spaces along what is normally circulation
routes.
Wooi strives to achieve natural ventilation in all his projects, a notion inspired
by the design of the traditional Malay house. In Wooi Residence, Wooi achieves
cross ventilation by designing air gaps along the topmost point of the house
where the glass walls of the family area meet the roof. This, coupled with the
high ceiling, ensures a constant exchange of air in the family area, which flows
to the rest of the house due to the use of permeable timber screens as openings
along the faade instead of solid walls.
Figure 5: Air gap between wall and roof, Wooi Residence
(a)
Wooi draws inspiration from both the tangible and intangible aspects of the
traditional Malay vernacular. From the reinterpretation of spaces in the Malay
house, to design principles and material joints, Wooi strives to create authentic
architecture that reflects a sense of place that is informed by the locality and
climate in which his designs are situated.
Steel is used judiciously with steel columns and beams supporting the bridges
suspended over the internal street as low beam depths are possible and
therefore allow for unobstructed views through the street. This material joint
between concrete, brick and steel, coupled with a knowledge of construction
systems, achieves Woois design intention of transparency.
Figure 11: Flat slab system combined with steel frame
In Ting Residence, Woois work with structural engineers resulted in the design
of a curved roof that envelopes the entire design, generated by the curvaceous
nature of the site. He employs zinc titanium in the curved construction of the
roofs due to the materials great tensile strength, ensuring that it is able to be
bent into the organic curve required by the design. In addition, zinc titanium
high resistance to corrosion makes it durable and weatherable for longer.
Exposure to the elements allows it to develop a self-protecting surface layer that
gives a pleasant grey slate as it naturally ages.
Figure 12: Aerial view of Zinc Titanium roof of Ting Residence
The dramatic curve of the site is not only reflected externally on the form of the
roof but also internally through Woois application of detailing. A steel skeletal
structure is first used to determine the overall shape of the curve. As the curve
is irregular, it required individually designed trusses where each truss if
different from the next. Wooi himself undertook the design of the trusses,
liaising closely with the structural engineer in order to create a curved roof that
is dynamic in its flow. The timber panels used for the ceiling here is made of
yellow balau.
Figure 13: Yellow balau curved ceiling in Ting Residence
Woois experimentation with innovative details can only be made possible when
working closely with the builder. His understanding of material attributes as
well as its standard measurements is construction knowledge gleaned from
interacting with builders. In Wooi Residence, his innovative use of yellow balau
and chengal strips in its standard measurement results in not only permeable
timber screens but also custom designed timber doors. On the lower ground
floor, doors use durable yellow balau strips mounted on a chengal frame with
45 indents, as they are constantly exposed to the elements such as rain and
sunshine.
Figure 14: Entertainment area on lower ground floor with detail of timber louvered door
The front gate and fences around the Wooi Residence also applies a similar
detail, allowing air flow into the property. A chengal main frame is located
behind the yellow balau strips, holding them together and allowing for a
seamless appearance of timber strips on the outside. Wooi states that the
timber in his designs avoids custom measurements or ukuran kasar in the local
dialect. Materials that are kasar require a higher cost. Yellow balau strips use a
standard dimension of 1 x 2 to minimize customization and reduce cost.
Figure 15: Wooi Residence - front gate and fencing of timber strips
(b)
Detail (b) (see Figure 16) is an assembly of chengal strip screens, ensuring that
each space in the house is naturally ventilated. This particular detail is seen in
the material joint between the staircase and the wall. Chengal is used to
ensure structural strength in the staircase. A steel bolt connects the chengal
strips together, forming the tread of the stair. The stairs are then attached to
the 1 x 2 timber screen via a birds mouth joint, which is enforced with a steel
rod that runs through the entire width of the screen. The dimensions of the
staircase and screen is informed by the standard size that the timber is
available in to reduce customization and cost.
(e)
(c)
At the study area (d) (see Figure 18), Wooi applies a vertical variation of detail
(a) (see Figure 3) in place of conventional metal grilles, which allows natural
light and ventilation into the space. Here, yellow balau and chengal is used due
to its durability against weather. The standard dimensions of 1 x 2 is used for
the yellow balau strips. Sliding glass windows are paired with these vertical
louvres in order to prevent rainwater from entering the house.
Figure 20: Diagrammatic plan of ground floor showing location of timber screen
Figure 21: Timber screens surrounding the gallery and living room of Ting Residence
When windows are opened, cross ventilation can occur as the permeable timber
screens all around the house allows a free flowing of air through the house.
These timber screens are found enveloping the entire faade of the main
dwelling floors, affording its residents privacy whilst not excluding light and air
passage. As with Wooi Residence, Ting Residence utilizes 1 x 2 chengal strips
in the assembly of the timber screen as these are the most commonly available
dimensions, reducing material wastage and additional cost.
Figure 22: Diagrammatic plan of first floor showing location of timber screen
Figure 23: External view of timber screens
Woois construction innovation are reflected in both large details such as the
roof of Ting Residence, to even the most minute of details, such as the custom
designed doors of Wooi Residence. The doors apply a mixture of local timbers:
meranti, yellow balau, resak and chengal. The variety of timber used allows
Wooi to discover attributes and joinery techniques of the different materials that
he later applies into his future projects. Most, if not all, of the doors in his house
are frameless, allowing for an effect of infinity and openness when the doors are
opened. Hinges are either bolted directly to the brick walls or the pivot point of
the door is bolted to a timber strip which is then connected to the floor and
ceiling.
Figure 24: Various doors in Wooi Residence
Figure 25: Detail of frameless door with hinge embedded into brick wall
Figure 26: Brick forming load-bearing walls and columns in Wooi Residence
Figure 27: Thick layers of mortar laid between bricks to eliminate irregularities
In the master bedroom of Wooi Residence, Wooi designs an ode to nature in the
form of a vaulted timber ceiling takes on the shape of a leaf with trusses
fanning out to resemble the veins of a leaf. Each truss of the master bedroom
ceiling carefully aligns and connects with the timber frames of the clerestory
windows below. The windows allow ample natural light to enter the bedroom
during the daytime. The orientation of the master bedroom ensures that full
length windows are not exposed to direct sunlight during the day, controlling
heat gain in the space.
In the master bath of Wooi Residence, Wooi teases the notion of privacy by
enveloping the master bath in a variation of a recurring detail, the vertical
timber screen. The timber screen forms both the walls and a portion of the
ceiling. This allows natural light to flood the entire space, creating an openness
that is not usually associated with bathrooms.
Figure 31: Curved concrete staircase leading up from entrance of Ting Residence
In Ting Residence, the curved and contoured nature of the site inspires the
unique architectural responses within the project. For instance, Wooi designed
the two curves of the house to imitate the existing curves on the site. This main
curve houses the main living spaces whilst the secondary curve grows out of the
main wing, housing the main point of entry to the house. The interior spaces
reiterate these external curves with Woois use of curved walls to extend the
curvaceous nature of the site into the house, gradually revealing spaces as one
journeys through the house.
Figure 33: Curved walls imitate the existing site in Ting House
The elevation of the contoured site presents many opportunities for view-
framing. Wooi believes in framing and limiting views in order to enhance the
effect of a vista. Walls facing the deck are of full height glass with sliding doors,
allowing unlimited access to the framed views outside. This glass wall extends
throughout the ground floor, coupled with vertical timber screens, affording not
only views but natural light and ventilation to the house.
Figure 34: Full height glass walls facing the outdoor deck
In Ting Residence, Woois design approach attempts mediate the unusual nature
of the site and the dwelling spaces within the house. A series of outdoor decks
serve as a formal joint between the interior dwelling spaces and the exterior
views. The orientation and location of the outdoor decks limit the view towards
the east and west, enhancing the views towards the north.
The topos of the site reflects residences that are fully built-up in a gated-
community. In the design of House 9, Wooi purposefully turns its back on its
surroundings and internalizes the architectural experiences. The front faade
comprises of an understated concrete wall that contrasts with the complex brick
interior within. This internalization is also reflected in the design of the main
space of the house, an internal street that runs diagonally through the house,
drawing visitors into the protected sanctuary within. In the atrium-like internal
street, one experiences an explosion of spaces, formally linking the street to
other spaces within the house both physically, leading to the living room and
dining room, as well as visually, with the bedrooms and the balconies overhead.
Figure 38: Diagrammatic floor plan of the first floor highlighting internal balconies
House 9 utilizes a series of bridges as formal joints between the various layers
of privacy of the house. In figure XX, on the first floor, the journey picks up from
the semi-public staircase landing where bridge (a) is applied as a formal joint
between the two wings of the house. The bridge also visually connects the
upper floor with the public internal street below. Moving further into the upper
floor, bridge (b) and (c) also function as a formal joints linking the semi-public
family area with a private bedroom and semi-private music area.
bedroom music
area
(b)
(c)
family
area
(a)
staircase
landing