Mention single-storey intermediate and people would associate a house that gets warm in the afternoons and lacking in light. But to architects like Fabian Tan, it’s all in the design. Located in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Jose House was a typical single-storey terrace house measuring 23’ x 75’ (7m x 23m) in size.

The owner had wanted to change it to incorporate an open plan on one side of the dividing central wall and private rooms on the other side. More importantly, he wanted to pay homage to his late, beloved grandmother, who had green fingers and enjoyed being near light, nature and cats.