Teratak Puah is a communal homestay initiative designed as a response to the rapid erasure of traditional village settlements within Malaysia’s urban centers. Located in Kampung Puah, one of the last surviving Malay kampungs in central Kuala Lumpur, the project addresses critical issues such as cultural displacement, loss of identity, gentrification, and the breakdown of communal living traditions.

As cities expand, settlements like Kampung Puah are increasingly threatened by development pressure and modernization that often disregards local history and socio-cultural value. Teratak Puah proposes an alternative model of place making that safeguards heritage while embracing contemporary relevance.

The project reinterprets the traditional Malay house typology through elevated timber structures, shaded verandahs, and shared communal spaces that foster interaction and learning between locals and visitors. The homestay acts as both a tourism platform and a community empowerment tool generating income for residents, creating cultural continuity, and nurturing a sense of place.

Through passive design strategies, the use of local materials, and integration with existing natural landscapes, the project also addresses environmental concerns tied to urban heat, flooding, and unsustainable land use. More than accommodation, Teratak Puah becomes a living archive and a space for shared memory, where architecture serves as a bridge between the past, present, and future.

Teratak Puah is a call to preserve not only physical structures but the spirit of communal life, offering an immersive experience that values authenticity, resilience, and rooted identity.

Teratak Puah is a communal homestay initiative designed to reconnect urban society with the cultural and spatial narratives of the traditional Malay village. Situated within the historical fabric of Kampung Puah, one of Kuala Lumpur’s last surviving kampungs, the project reimagines the homestay model as a collective, heritage-driven experience.

Rooted in the values of community, vernacular wisdom, and environmental sensitivity, Teratak Puah offers a spatial typology that reflects the essence of rumah kampung with timber structures elevated on stilts, open verandahs, natural cross-ventilation, and shared thresholds. The architecture is intentionally understated yet responsive, blending into the existing landscape while empowering the local community through tourism, co-ownership, and cultural exchange.

The project aims to address the tension between rapid urbanization and the erosion of indigenous identity. Through passive design strategies, sustainable material use, and community-led programming, Teratak Puah acts as a living archive, preserving traditional ways of life while engaging visitors in an immersive, participatory stay.

Ultimately, Teratak Puah is not just a place to stay. It is a place to experience, reflect, and belong. It invites guests into a shared dialogue of culture, memory, and rooted modernity.

Teratak Puah utilizes a thoughtful blend of materials that balance tradition with durability. Timber is used as the primary element, reflecting vernacular Malay architecture and offering warmth, flexibility, and local identity. Precast concrete is applied at the base for durability, flood resilience, and ease of maintenance in an urban setting. Bamboo is introduced in shading devices and detailing, symbolizing sustainability and craft while encouraging passive cooling. Steel is used structurally in selected areas to ensure stability, especially in shared communal zones, allowing for open spans and modular assembly. Together, these materials harmonize heritage values with modern construction needs.