Malaysian double-storey house in KL with 'veil' design an open, welcoming space

The bespoke screen of precast concrete blocks at the Veil House was employed in a manner similar to perfectly carved or latticed screens by artisans in India known as Jali. Photos: The Star/Ong Soon Hin

Can there be any home project more daunting than starting from scratch on an empty plot of land; from the shape of the exterior to the use of concrete walls inside? It is an undertaking that requires courage and vision. The couple who built this house in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, with its unique facade, has both.

After living in London, Britain for many years and returning home to Malaysia to be closer to their families, director of a policy think tank on financial markets Datin Azleen Osman-Rani and her cardiologist husband considered renovating an existing property, but ultimately decided on a new build.