Erected from bits and pieces of building material generated by our many construction projects, the Rumah Balai is located at the back of the property, in the neighbourhood of the Rumah Uda Manap and the Penang House.
It is suitable for one person or a couple, for guest accommodation. The front entrance connects the front verandah to the inner house. It is virtually a large single room, divided into sleeping, dining and kitchen spaces, with an attached bathroom. It has a large wooden desk, and is frequently used for writer’s residencies.
The Rumah Balai started life as an open-sided shed, used for storing components of the Rumah Uda Manap, while that heritage house was being reconstructed in 1998. It then served as a studio space for several artists, including Tony Twigg and Lindy Lee. It was renovated into a house, with design by Hijjas Kasturi, in the mid-2000s.
Photos of the Rumah Balai interior:
