Almaz's Weekend Villa
Continued from page 15
Almaz's Weekend Villa is built on two acres of rubber estate land turned homestead in the Malaysian state of Selangor. This villa is constructed from reclaimed timbers, namely, Chengal, Balau and Kempas, where a plunge pool can be found right at the center of the living room. The timber was sourced from old shoplots, abandoned houses and sawmills in the state of Perak. Among these old timbers, there are chunky 12" round columns, 8" x 8" posts, 3" x 5" floorboards, 2" x 5" roof rafters and full height adjustable louvred windows. The owner has also installed antique teak-framed stained-glass windows that came from Malacca.
Spotlight On: Chengal
Species: Neobalanocarpus
Origin: Malaysia and Thailand
Common Applications: Mostly used for heavy construction, railway sleepers, and heavy duty furniture, decking, staircase, door and window frames.
Characteristics/Appearance: The heartwood is yellow-light brown with a greenish hue. As it ages, the color becomes dark purple or rust red.
Janka Hardness Scale: 2,130 lb_f (see chart on page 56)
Comments: The timber is durable and resistant to termite attack and fungal infestation. Planing is known to be easy with a smooth finish.
Spotlight On: Teak
Species: Tectona grandis
Origin: Native to Southern Asia. Also widely grown on plantations throughout tropical regions of Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Common Applications: Ship and boatbuilding, veneer, furniture, flooring, cabinets, exterior construction, carving, turnings, and small wood objects.
Characteristics / Appearance: Heartwood is golden to medium brown, the color darkening with age. Grain is straight or occasionally wavy or interlocked. Teak has a coarse, uneven texture and moderate to low natural luster. Raw, unfinished wood surfaces have a slightly oily or greasy feel due to natural oils that protect the wood from insects and rot.
Janka Hardness Scale: 1,070 lb_f (see chart on page 56)
Comments: Teak is one of the most desirable woods in the world because of its superb stability, strength, and outstanding resistance to decay and rot. It is generally easy to work with, although its high silica content has a blunting effect on cutting edges. Despite its natural oils, teak glues and finishes well, though prepping with solvent prior to gluing/finishing is sometimes necessary.
Frequently asked questions
What reclaimed timbers were used to build Almaz's Weekend Villa in Selangor?+
The villa was constructed from reclaimed Chengal, Balau and Kempas timbers. These were sourced from old shoplots, abandoned houses and sawmills in the Malaysian state of Perak.
What distinctive feature sits at the center of Almaz's Weekend Villa's living room?+
A plunge pool is located right at the center of the living room of the villa, which is built on two acres of former rubber estate land in Selangor.
What sizes of reclaimed timber elements were incorporated into Almaz's Weekend Villa?+
The villa features chunky 12-inch round columns, 8" x 8" posts, 3" x 5" floorboards, and 2" x 5" roof rafters. It also includes full-height adjustable louvred windows.
Where did the antique stained-glass windows in Almaz's Weekend Villa originate?+
The owner installed antique teak-framed stained-glass windows sourced from Malacca.
Why is Chengal a suitable choice for a reclaimed-timber villa like Almaz's?+
Chengal is durable and resistant to termite attack and fungal infestation, making it well-suited for heavy construction and long-lasting structural use. It also planes easily with a smooth finish, and its heartwood ages from yellow-light brown with a greenish hue to a dark purple or rust red.
How does the Janka hardness of Chengal compare with Teak, the two woods featured in the villa article?+
Chengal rates 2,130 lb_f on the Janka Hardness Scale, roughly twice as hard as Teak, which rates 1,070 lb_f. This makes Chengal better suited to the heavy structural applications used in the villa.