Malaysian terrace home transformed into minimalist house with innovative Moon Doors


Photos By ART CHEN

For Tan, the project is more than just a house – it's a conversation about design, reason and function, as well as the intangible elements that make a house a home. Photo: The Star/Art Chen

Nestled within a quiet neighbourhood in Kuala Lumpur, CC House is a marriage of elegant simplicity and functional design.

Conceived by architect Fabian Tan, the home is arguably a one-of-a-kind project that challenges conventional architecture with its inventive and purposeful approach.

Every corner, curve and line of the house exudes a carefully crafted balance of form and function, redefining what it means to design a modern home.

Its defining feature, the eye-catching “Moon Doors”, reimagines how structures interact with natural light, privacy and the environment.

Comprising two crescent- shaped pivoting structures, the Moon Doors embody both artistry and practicality. Inspired by the retractable roofs of Melaka shophouses, Tan sought to reinterpret the way natural light enters the home.

Tan demonstrates how the Moon Doors are manually operated. Photo: The Star/Art ChenTan demonstrates how the Moon Doors are manually operated. Photo: The Star/Art Chen“When closed, the Moon Doors form a seamless semi-circle, shielding the living area from direct views, offering privacy and creating an intimate sanctuary,” explains Tan. “When open, they pivot to form two opposing crescents, resembling a Venn diagram and offering a unique visual connection to the sky.”

This architectural ingenuity also ensures functionality. The manual operation of the heavy steel doors, aided by a pivot mechanism, allows for multiple opening configurations, granting the homeowners control over light, airflow and privacy.

Despite concerns about the practicality of steel in Malaysia’s tropical climate, Tan explains: “The doors are insulated to prevent heat transfer, and we’ve integrated a drainage groove within the structure to handle rainwater.”

Reinventing a classic terrace house

CC House was originally a typical split-level terrace home characterised by narrow staircases, dark interiors and small windows – practical but devoid of aesthetics. Tan’s vision transformed the space into a light-filled haven while retaining much of the original structure.

“My first thought was, why are we wasting the garden?” Tan recalls.

His solution was to extend the living room toward the side garden, creating a double-volume pavilion that opens up the interior to natural light and greenery.

By maintaining the existing levels and seamlessly blending new and old elements, Tan preserves the home’s charm while enhancing its functionality.

White walls dominate the design, creating a neutral backdrop that emphasises space and light.

“White is pure and calming,” Tan explains. “It reflects light, makes spaces appear larger, and shifts the focus to the design in totality rather than surface details.”

The Moon Doors above the living room provide natural light, ventilation and privacy. Photos: Fabian Tan ArchitectThe Moon Doors above the living room provide natural light, ventilation and privacy. Photos: Fabian Tan Architect

Tan’s obsession with precision is evident throughout CC House. For example, the floating concrete slab supporting the Moon Doors incorporates hidden columns at its pivot points, which double-up as structural and design elements, illustrating Tan’s philosophy that aesthetics must serve a function.

The manual mechanism for the Moon Doors is another engineering feat. Rather than opting for automated systems that could fail during power outages, Tan designed a practical solution using a stick lever. This enables the homeowners to effortlessly pivot the heavy steel doors, thanks to their precise balance on a central pivot point.

Despite their weight, the doors can be adjusted to various degrees of openness, offering flexibility and ease of use.

The Moon Doors were also designed to close seamlessly under a ceiling fan in the family room. Despite appearing perilously close to the blades, the doors have been engineered with exact measurements to avoid this.

This intricate alignment highlights Tan’s meticulous approach to design, where every millimetre is calculated to ensure both functionality and visual harmony.

Another such detail is the curved wall on the first floor, which conceals a pipe.

“I could have forced it to be square like most houses, but I chose to celebrate the curve, aligning it with the circular motif of the Moon Doors,” Tan shares.

Merging design, reason and function

The family hall on the first floor offers quiet respite.The family hall on the first floor offers quiet respite.

For homeowners Terence Lim and Sherry Tam, who moved into CC House in early 2024, the home is a timeless design that exudes comfort and security.

“The moment we step inside after a long day, it just feels like home – it’s so cosy,” Tam shares.

The couple only provided Tan with a simple brief: an open, bright and easy-to-maintain space. Tan’s thoughtful approach has exceeded their expectations, blending practical functionality with beautiful aesthetics.

“We love how everything flows together,” says Lim. “From the light-filled staircase that resembles a mini amphitheatre (which incidentally is also the architect’s favourite spot in the home) to the intimate family room shielded by the Moon Doors, every element serves a purpose.”

CC House isn’t just a work of art; it’s a sustainable home equipped with solar panels, reducing its environmental footprint.

The garden, designed with future shade (from trees) in mind, enhances the home’s liveability and connection to nature.

Despite some initial skepticism from online commentators – concerns about rain leakage, dust or even birds flying into the house – the design has proven to be practical.

“Birds don’t fly in, the house stays cool and dry, and the metal structure is stable and doesn’t shake, even during heavy thunderstorms,” Tam confirms.

Stairs leading from the family hall on the first floor to the roof deck. Stairs leading from the family hall on the first floor to the roof deck.

Tan’s design philosophy goes beyond the physical.

“Architecture is not just about creating a feature wall or choosing a specific colour,” he explains.

“There’s always a reason for everything. It’s about how each element relates to the other, creating a harmonious whole.”

This philosophy is evident in the seamless transitions between the spaces, the interplay of light and shadow, and the thoughtful integration of natural and built elements.

Whether it’s the rooftop deck offering panoramic views of the city, the kitchen island – which doubles up as an entertaining area to host guests – with its concealed basin and cup/glass rinsers, or the carefully curated black floor tiles balancing the brightness of the white walls, CC House reflects Tan’s attention to detail.

An aerial view of the roof deck and solar panels. An aerial view of the roof deck and solar panels.

As CC House stands tall with its signature Moon Doors and minimalist aesthetic, it redefines what it means to live simply yet luxuriously in Malaysia. For Tan, the project is more than just a house – it’s a conversation about design, reason and function, as well as the intangible elements that make a house a home.

“It’s the confluence of everything,” Lim concludes. “A house is just a structure, but a home is a feeling. CC House is the perfect blend of both.”


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