Jacques' Archive

Roof structures aren’t only an aid to shelter a dwelling and its inhabitants from the elements. They can also resonate with various cultures and architectural periods. This applies to the sloping roofs found in Penang and Johor, typical of traditional Malaysian dwellings and the atypical European-styled gabled roof structures found in Asian architecture. However, modern architects are harking back to the European modernism of the 1950s and its flat roofs. This type of modern roof design is now commonly found in urban areas, despite being a Western import. Whether the roof is pitched, flat, lean-to, or a combination of various structural designs, it must still meet the basic need of matching up to the weather conditions. In Malaysia, this is particularly important. As Malaysia is located so close to the equator and is subject to extreme seasonal weather, such as during the monsoon season, the roof structure must be able to handle heavy downpours and strong, gale-force winds. It i...

The term media room refers to a space inside your home used as an entertainment area. Within this multipurpose area, games are played, movies are watched, or you can simply unwind there and read a book. There are some key elements to making your media room not only stylish but an extremely functional area. This will make movie night feel like a night at the cinema. A very comfortable size would be 10 by 16 feet; however, you could get away with something slightly smaller if need be. The choices you make when you design your media room can be guided by some questions, such as: “What are the various functions you want from your media room?”, “How can you mimic the cinema experience at home?”, “What type of flooring is best for a media room?”, or “What technology do you need for a media room?” Answers to these questions will help you in your design so that you can create a space not only accommodating to your needs, but with limited distractions, and the right ambient lighting to all...

A bathroom can be expensive to decorate, but it can also add much value to your property. However, if you need to correct mistakes, not only could the renovations upset your budget, but also can greatly reduce any rate of return on your investment. The best option, therefore, is to plan your bathroom with professionals, such as bathroom designers, who can advise you on quality tiles and fittings, and make recommendations for reliable tilers and plumbers. However, besides the functionality of the bathroom, over and above the layout and plumbing, most of us are more concerned with an aesthetic appearance. If, for instance, your main bedroom already sports the Mediterranean style, you might want that style flowing into your bathroom, creating a connection between the two spaces. 1 The choice between classic and modern Deciding between a modern bathroom, or a classic interpretation of the Mediterranean style will depend on your own preference. It will also be determined by the loo...