Meridin East

Residential Project A formidable collaboration is born when Mah Sing (www.mahsing.com.my/), one of the most affluent developers in Malaysia, went through a rebranding campaign. They invited DDA, a famous interior design firm in Singapore with a fresh take on spatial aesthetics, to assist them in their product makeover. The new township in Pasir Gadung features two-storey link houses with a master and 2 bedrooms upstairs and a guest room on the main floor. It caters to the mid and mid upper-class buyers and targets young families and upgraders with multi-generational living lifestyles. Nestled in the heart of Iskandar Malaysia, a special economic development zone, Johor Bahru is the strategic gateway for trade between east and west. This inspires the design concept – a modern twist to the traditional East meets West. A clean modern interior, a signature of DDA’s contemporary design style, combines traditional Japanese ethos of “Wabi-Sabi” where the raw, incomplete and imperfect are at its most naturally beautiful state of “imperfect beauty”. Therefore the pared-down aesthetics are intentional. A solid timber screen made from recycled wood defines the staircase framed by mild steeled railings. A fair-faced concrete look-alike wall links the two-storey vertical spaces together. The natural rawness of concrete juxtaposes with elegant, soft touches of the interior gives the space a luxurious sense of sophistication, transforming an otherwise ordinary stairwell into a great focal point for the house. Repurposed from a railway station, a cluster of old, abandoned wooden blocks of uneven heights transforms an otherwise regular coffee table into a living room centrepiece. It accentuates the intricately designed, hand-tufted carpet where perfection meets the imperfect. The raw beauty of the railway block is again featured as a console table at the main entrance, a bold eye catcher upon entering the house. Bright accent colours and curated table setting reflect the richness of nature as the outdoor space is brought indoors. The family area located at the second floor has a nice double-volume ceiling that opens up the space. A cozy reading corner, given a distinctive light treatment, makes it an exquisite hideout. The master bedroom is stylish with an understated elegance that bespeaks comfort and rest. The customised wallpaper in the children’s room is specially designed by DDA to complement the “Wabi-Sabi” theme. Reading desk is nicely tucked away to amplify the clean and uncluttered look. The grandmother’s room has a minimalist style and doubles up as a guest room. In situ unit by Mah Sing @ Johor Bahru 1500 sqft Start date: March 2016- June 2016 Design concept – Modern contemporary design with accent/ combination of raw materials