Airy, Not Fairy
StarMag - Spaces, Sunday February 5, 2006 by Chin Mui Yoon
"I believe an architect's own home represents his vision, passion and inspiration." explains Wooi, 44.
"I had a happy childhood living amidst nature in a Malay village. To me, the crude bricks, concrete beams and terrazzo flooring are beautiful in their unique textures and patterns.
"These bits of nature are imperfect and irregular - they are a diversity coming together to form a house. Don't you think this resembles what Malaysia is?"
Wooi is unabashedly proud of his Kedah kampung roots. He grew up in a rural Malay village in Tanah Merah, Pendang, in Malaysia's rice bowl state of Kedah. The farming community has greatly inspired Wooi in creating original, earthy houses.
"I've attended many Malay wedding banquets where the tents and tables for the quests were sometimes fashioned from simple lashings of bamboo, rattan, wooden poles and palm leaves, yet they were wholly functional," Wooi recalls.
"Many Malay families live in wooden home raised on stilts, ideal for efficient ventilations in our humid weather. It is certainly wise of us to build homes that are in harmony with nature."
A clear reminder of his roots is seen in the traditional tiang seri, or central pillar, anchoring the geometry of the house. This is a solid chengal-wood column rising majestically from his garden where it supports the overhanging roof 16m above.
"The tiang seri is very special because villagers building a house will raise this column first to signify a new family in the community," says Wooi.
The entrance level holds a sparsely furnished living room, kitchen and dining hall. Wooi's office, garden and swimming pool occupy the lower level while the family den and bedrooms are on the upper level.
Space, air, light and nature are recurring themes that anchor Wooi's work. Despite the searing midday sun outside, the house is breezy and airy, without any need for air-conditioning.
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