Showing posts with label Upside down House. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Upside down House. Show all posts

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Dare to Design your own House?

In the local scene, one of the hot topics among people of different trades lately is the Upside-down House in Borneo. This will be the third entry for me and I am not sure yet if this is the last. Not because I like the catchy, unique idea nor because I'm originated from the small town where this structure is built. It's something else - I am a go-green person.

Structural and architectural design were scrutinised and environmental-friendliness of the building was questioned. I like the work of the architect and the use of wooden fittings (or at least wood like) that blends well with the environment.

For those thinking that they can do better than the folks up there, try comparing how cladding systems in a building that you think would look better. To the non-technical readers but just want their future homes  to look great, you may want to read further. Cladding systems can be formulated to enhance the visual appearance of the building significantly. Does it look great, the Upside-down house? I think it looks decent. Not great, just decent enough.

Speaking of being environmentally friendly, and taking into account the fact that this building is meant to attract tourists, the developer could have incorporated some educational elements in the structure such as fixtures that promote energy efficiency, hence lesser carbon footprint. This could then be one of the subject the tour guide can talk about during the guided tour.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Upside Down: What's the Fuss About?

People like to make assumption rather than fact finding when exercising their right of freedom of speech nowadays. Nothing's wrong with that.

The issue is that when we offer opinion without really knowing, (or in the case of Rumah Terbalik in Tamparuli), and having no personal experience about the subject we are commenting. And because of that, people develop negative perception towards the subject matter.

My wife and I had an early breakfast this morning and while reading the Daily Express I saw another article about the Upside-down House of Borneo in Tamparuli. This time the owner and the architect came out addressing the concerns of the public - or rather few individuals - pertaining to health and safety of patrons.

For the record, few days ago PAM Sabah past chairman questioned the qualification of the architect involved in designing the house. Reporters on the other side question the so-called dizziness one would feel after being in the house for 10 minutes.

Read today's copy of the local papers yourself.

While having no vested interest whatsoever in the property and getting no monetary gain writing this, I would say those allegations are a complete NONSENSE! Go there and feel it yourself and tick me if you feel dizzy. If anything, the lack of air-conditioning is the reason you'll feel stuffy after 5 minutes. Temperature inside the house heats up during sunny days and that stresses the body a bit. I felt nothing unusual and the hanging upside-down stuffs don't confuse my vestibular system into coaxing me to lose my balance.

You are allowed to walk only on the dedicated carpet walkway to avoid bodily injury caused by impact from objects that might fall off. If that is your concern then your safety risk is higher back home where fluorescent lamps, ceiling fan, air-conditioners, or your lantern decors are hanging. Paul Yap is the engineer who made sure of the integrity of the structure and he is a well-known local consultant.

What's the fuss about? This house is as good as, if not better than the houses built within the area, except that it is artificially made to look upside down. Remove the roof-like fittings below the floor level and it looks no different from any house.

To the owner, Mr. Yee as the paper quoted him as, this is a great place to 'pit-stop' before continuing with a long journey to, say, Mt.Kinabalu, Kundasang, Ranau or Sandakan/Tawau in the East Coast. Since this is just part of the Tuaran Craft Centre as mentioned, it would be a good idea if you fill the 'tamu' with more handicraft sourced from the folks.

The bakery offers great foods but they come only in small quantity. The trays ran out stock of my favorite tuna and chicken curry puff. It was a weekend, so it could be due to that.

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The Upside-down House of Borneo

Environmentally friendly building versus dizziness? Not in my dictionary. I am a strong advocate for the preservation of the nature but feeling dizzy when entering certain house cannot be in the same equation with environmental friendliness.

If you fancy getting dizzy, try driving further towards Tamparuli town and taste the famous Jambatan Gantung Tamparuli. It is a suspension bridge built with sturdier material compared to the old one but chances are many would feel uncomfortable walking on it simply due to the height and the structural sway.

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Jambatan Tamparuli. Down below is the pipe & concrete bridge built during British colonial times


Good luck, and happy travelling.

Monday, February 6, 2012

The Upside Down House of Borneo

Location: Kg. Telibong, Tamparuli. Not far away from SMK Tamparuli
Officially opened: 1st February 2012
Visiting hours: 8.00am - 8.00pm daily

Entrance fees:
    Adults - RM10 (MyKad holders), RM18 (non-MyKad holders)
    Children - RM5
    Babies - FOC (2 yrs old/ below)


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Fancy living in an upside down house, anyone?


In Brief

It is a small house - 140sq. metre - equipped with kitchen, dining room, living room, bathroom, bedrooms with its interior decorated with many unique features of Sabah. Except for a bubu (a traditional fishing trap) everything is placed upside down.

A guided tour to the interior of the house takes not more that 15 minutes during our visit, probably due to other groups of other visitors waiting in line. It is understandable as it was only the 4th day since its official opening. After sometime, perhaps, you could spend more time there and hopefully they would allow photography inside the house.

But considering the RM10 fee per person, it could be a one-of visit to many unless the owner add up more attractions within and outside the centre in the future. The house is designed for a small family of three and hence its small size.


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Even the garage is upside down.

Further story with more pictures here.

Have a safe journey and make this place a pit-stop the next time you travel to Ranau, Sandakan, and Tawau. It's just next to the Shell gas station.