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CHIMES pays homage to the natural elements expressed in our quaint neighborhood. Taking inspiration from the wind and the woods, the name ⾵林 Feng Lin or ‘Wind and Woods’ is also a play on the name CHIMES or 風鈴 Feng Lin.
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Wind Chimes depend on air movement to work; a gentle sprinkle of chimes ringing in the air when a breeze slips past is a reminder of one of the most important design attributes in tropical architecture – how to best encourage natural cross ventilation throughout buildings.
Site selection is a critical step of our overall development process. As architects, we see beyond dollars and cents when selecting a potential project site. We observe, research and analyse the site’s qualities and the surrounding elements to unveil further possibilities and opportunities.
A Site needs to have that spark, that little bit of magic. As Kuching’s urban expansion reaches its limit, demand has never been greater for unique landed residences in close proximity to inner city workplaces and lifestyle amenities. For ideal city-living, the site should be safe and comfortable; good air quality is a must and the site should be away from the hustle and bustle of the main roads.
Conveniently located and equipped with all of the high-quality infrastructures to suit modern lifestyles, CHIMES is situated in a peaceful neighborhood of Kuching surrounded by natural greenery and within a hilly area where there are natural cooling breezes from the nearby Sungai Maong river.
DESIGN
“As architects, we have always aspired to provide good design houses that are affordable without costing the environment." Our projects are considerate, practical, sensible and aesthetically pleasing. Ideal building orientations contribute to an important part of environmentally-friendly designs;
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We can take advantage of the morning sun-rays gracing our main entrances and minimise the heat of the afternoon sun in the main living areas and bedrooms. We have provided ample car parking spaces to all of our houses; some houses even have spaces for up to four large family cars.
The ground floor consists of 600 square feet of uninterrupted space for its Living and Dining area that surround a private Courtyard. A spacious Kitchen located at the back is ideal for the preparation of food and family meals. There is also a Bedroom on the ground floor behind the Dining area suitable for elderly relatives or the unexpected guest. Alternatively, it can also be converted into an extension of the Dining & Living area, perfect for entertaining and larger gatherings.
The current Work-From-Home concept is increasing in popularity during this day and age, and we have incorporated as much flexibility into our designs, especially in terms of spatial design and planning. A small home-office can easily be incorporated into the ground floor – even a small studio at the front of the house is possible in order for work visitors to not intrude into the more private areas of the home. We are proud to provide as much future-proofing into our designs. After all, these houses are homes that should be able to grow old gracefully and adapt when the homeowners’ needs change.
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We encourage Healthy Living – one of the more unique features of the CHIMES home are the private courtyards that are centrally located within the house’s building envelope. Our intimate, well-ventilated ground floor outdoor spaces can be converted into a lush or Zen garden, or even a reflection pool. It allows for natural light and cooling breezes to enter and flow throughout the entire house. As you enjoy your breakfast with your family, your partner could enjoy a morning yoga session in the cool and shaded outdoor Living room on the first floor. These two features will allow the homeowners to enjoy a multitude of open spaces where fresh air is never in shortage.
Layout Plan - Ground Floor
Layout Plan - 1st Floor
Three generously-sized bedrooms and two bathrooms are provided on the first floor, with the Master Bedroom having its own bathroom ensuite with plenty of wardrobe spaces. Facing the East, the view of the sunrise will be seen from the Master Bedroom every morning. We hope that our buyers will appreciate the extra space and qualities from our ample-sized bedrooms on the first floor.
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​In terms of building materials, we have decided to spend wisely in order to give the homeowner a good peace of mind - high-quality handrails and roof gutters have been provided for longevity and ease of maintenance, screwless galvanised metal roofs have been selected to minimise potential leakages from the roof, and insulation and woven sisalation paper will be provided to act as a heat barrier in the roof.
CHIMES harnesses good design elements to create wholesome, quality homes. We incorporate all of the necessary elements in order to focus on the needs of the end user, whilst having the best interests of our community, culture and environment in our hearts and mind.
COLLABORATORS
Alan Lau
Director of IDC Architects
Alan has had extensive design experience in prominent Singapore-based firms in both architectural and interior design projects. He has worked on many residential and hospitality projects both in Singapore and in the region. He strongly believes in the prominent role that design plays in shaping our lives and our well being.
Tina has had extensive architectural and interior design experience while working in Melbourne and Singapore. She has worked on a wide variety of projects including tertiary and research facilities for prominent universities in Australia. She firmly believes that architecture and interior design should be expressive of our local and global culture that creates a contemporary experience that is meaningful and fulfills a higher yearning to live, work and play better.
Tina Lau
Director of IDC Architects
