The 3-Juxta House

15 januari

The 3-Juxta House is an architectural interplay of generations, texture, and emotion, where timber takes on a central role in shaping the home. Timber is not only used as a building material, but as a living medium that brings warmth, feeling, and authenticity into the space. For architect Kee Yen Lim, the starting point was a simple but powerful question: “How can we design spaces that emotionally engage people?” Rather than focusing purely on form and function, Lim’s work centres on cultivating emotion, crafting spaces that are meant to be felt as much as they are used.

The 3-Juxta House is a clear reflection of this philosophy. Designed for three generations of one family, the home went on to win the Silver Award at the 2024 Malaysian Institute of Architects Awards. The name “Juxta” comes from Lim’s idea of bringing three generations together within a two-story home, rather than separating them into three individual mansions as originally planned.

The house is built almost entirely from locally sourced timber species: Merbau, Nyatoh, and Balau, selected for their resilience, availability, and natural character. Merbau is used in the grand living hall and ceiling, where its deep tones create warmth and a sense of intimacy. Nyatoh appears in the ceilings, doors, and smaller details such as handles, offering a softer, lighter palette that complements the interior. Balau, valued for its strength and durability, is used for the external timber screens and shading elements, helping to regulate light, airflow, and privacy throughout the day. These screens filter sunlight while allowing natural ventilation to move through the home.

To tie the interior together, walnut flooring runs across the entire first floor and staircase, creating a continuous, grounded connection between spaces. As Lim puts it, “Timber is not just an aesthetic choice, it’s a structural, functional, and emotional material.”

Beyond its visual and tactile qualities, timber also brings clear environmental benefits. As a renewable material, it supports efforts to reduce carbon footprints while strengthening the connection between people and the natural world. “Timber in architecture is evolving beyond aesthetics,” says Lim. “It’s now being embraced as a core element in facades, interiors, and even structures.” In the 3-Juxta House, light moves across the Balau screens from morning to evening, providing shifting shadows that give the spaces a constantly changing atmosphere.

Malaysia’s tropical climate, however, comes with its own challenges. To protect the timber, careful measures such as soil treatment, chemical protection, and regular maintenance were built into the project, ensuring its durability while preserving its natural beauty over time and respecting where the material is sourced from. This reflects how timber is not only valued as a renewable resource, but also as an enduring presence that shapes how people feel, live, and connect within a space. The 3-Juxta House highlights the versatility of timber. From structure to surface, and from function to atmosphere. As Lim concludes, “For us, timber isn’t just something we build with, it’s something we build around.”

Trefwoorden

maleisiëhout interieurarchitectuur timber architectuur duurzaamdesign duurzaambouw duurzaamwoning circulair maleisie balau tropischhout

Malaysian Timber Council

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Staat van realisatie Voltooid

Start bouw 2022

Oplevering 2023

Meewerkende partijen

ArchitectKee Yen ArchitectProjectarchitectKee Yen ArchitectOpdrachtgeverEric Chan Rong ShengEigenaarEric Chan Rong Sheng

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OverigMalaysian Timber Council

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