theSun Property October 2015

ON FRIDAY

OCTOBER 2, 2015

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>Design that meets the needs of inhabitants of home and nature

Holistic house

ORE

than just bringing

the outside in and vice

versa or erasing the

boundaries of in and

out, holistic interior design is an

approach that integrates the

functional needs of the *built

environment, as well as the body,

mind and spirit of the occupants.

From the choice of colour to the

amount of light, the sounds and

sights, textures and aromas –

marrying the needs of the

environment and that of the

inhabitants is crucial in this home

design concept. The goal is to

enhance wellbeing and create a

harmonious setting for the

occupants, includingMother

Nature and all it encompasses.

LET THE SUN IN

Go for natural lighting and save on

energy use by cleverly playing with

natural light. Use various materials

that reflect or intersperse light to

achieve a variety of artistic effects.

Fromcreating shadows onwalls to

forming colours and shapes or

simply allowing direct or indirect

sunlight to shine onto objects or

spaces – be amazed and awed by

themany stunning visual effects

sunlight can form.

NATURE’S ART

Why spend lots of money buying

art when nature’s beauty itself can

provide glorious masterpieces? Go

big onwindows and liberal in glass

door dimensions and allownature’s

scenic beauty to captivate the

onlooker. Simply incorporate clear

glass or go for “naked” open

concepts where occupants have

grand views of the outside. Another

idea is to use glass ceilings where

one can “sleep under the stars” or

on rainy nights watch the splatter

of raindrops, which some find

therapeutic.

AUNATURAL

In the interiors, use nature’s

elements like wood and stone, in

its natural state (eg timber frames,

weaved ceilings, wooden flooring,

natural stone walls, etc) These not

only give one a sense of being

outdoors, but natural elements are

said to enhance a sense of

“balance”, improve the state of

wellbeing, stimulating a sense of

equilibrium. As humans, we are

part of Mother Earth. Therefore, to

be among nature and its elements,

this encourages one to feel whole

and complete, and at one with

nature.

WATER, THE SOURCE OF LIFE

Water features can be a sight for

sore eyes. Moreover, the sound of

flowing water is calming and

soothing. From fountains to ponds,

indoor swimming pools, Jacuzzis,

water walls, et cetera, when used

creatively together with lights,

these canmake stunning features

that captivate and even “heal”. In

fact, research recognises the

healing power of sound, which has

been used for thousands of years.

And since our body is actually

made up of 70%water, the two sort

of complete each other. Moreover,

one canmake use of water to

generate energy by playingwith the

natural topography of an area.

FRESH AIR

Especially for homes situated on

elevated grounds, on hills or in the

outskirts where the air is cleaner,

more fresh, cool and crisp – no

words need describe the amount of

goodness fresh air does for the

body, mind and soul, compared

with the city smog. The wind can

also be used to generate energy.

One helps save the environment

when one uses less electricity.

SOUNDOF THEWILD

While city folk sound-proof homes

to keep “noise pollution” low,

houses in the rural areas welcome

nature’s symphony. From the

sound of rain or wind, the

harmonious resonance of insects

and small creatures like the

croaking of the frogs and chirping

of the birds, et cetera, all these are

said to have some healing capacity

for our body, mind and soul. Like

the sound of water, sounds of

certain decibels are said to have

been used for thousands of years, as

a tool for healing.

ZEN-INSPIRED SPACES AND

COLOURS

Lots of open spaces that are free

fromclutter along with “zen

colours” – these have been

scientifically proven

to calmand heal. Zen-

inspired spaces, colours

and interior design

(clutter-free included)

concepts are also said to

invite calmand cause

the body, mind and soul

to be in a relaxed state.

In fact, some reports

state that these help

reduce distractions,

calm themind and

promotes the feeling of

peace and serenity.

[*Built environment

in this context refers to

the surroundings created

by humans, for humans,

to be used for human

activity. It is amaterial,

spatial and cultural

product that combines

physical elements and

energy, defined as “human-made

space inwhich people can live,

work and recreate on a day-to-day

basis”.]

** Note: The images in this

article are taken fromCasabrina

VacationVillas in Raub, Pahang.

Casabrina is nestled along the quiet

foothills and provides the weary

with acres and acres of all the above

andmuchmore. The day-to-day

running of the resort is skewed

towards sustaining the

environment. It is built with respect

and care forMother Nature, and

breeds positive energy.