Asia Pacific Property Award 2014
The Airie is a housing development comprising 79 units of semi-detached houses, zero-lot houses and bungalows in the north-west corner of Bukit Lanjan, Bandar Sri Damansara. Due to its location with a sloping profile, high privacy and a nearby forest reserve, the design concept was further inspired from the vernacular Mediterranean hill towns. The aspiration was to re-create an organic housing ‘village’.
The Airie’s elevated green deck is the design’s highlight and instrument to bind all components to function. While the lower ground beneath it seeks to organise vehicular movements from its pedestrianised surface, extensive openings and continuing gardens ensure a neighbourhood-friendly environment. Primarily, three platform levels were established as the masterplan responded to the existing slopes. Its overall cascading and terracing appearance is defined as more site-specific levels were assigned to each unit. The scheme intends to demonstrate a clear progression from the entrance to the peak of the development, to enhance and unfold different visual experiences.
The Airies’ products were designed to comfortably house large nucleus families or multi- generational families. Although designed at three storeys tall, the homes feel intimate due to their appearance as two storeys high as per green deck level. Light, air and open spaces were the elements emphasised to create an airy, comfortable, and cosy domestic environment. Similar emphasis was given in designing the garden deck with the lower ground level. Insertion of sunken gardens and voids along its terracing profile creates an envelope containing lightness and airiness.
