S/LAB has placed an office with mismatched interiors for property development company Mantab behind a golden folding facade on a quiet street in Kuala Lumpur. Arranged across the converted house’s existing structure, the conversion has created offices for the company’s three directors, as well a display gallery and leisure spaces for hosting clients.

The interior follows the theme of “intentional mismatches” and incorporates contrasting colours, textures, materials such as white epoxy flooring with dark wood, brass and velvet upholstery as well as curved walls and sharp angles.

Upon entering, visitors arrive in a white entrance lobby with lounge seating that overlooks a bamboo garden. To the right a gold copper alloy staircase leads up to workspace. Bespoke slender-framed, arched translucent screens are dotted throughout the interior to divide open spaces.

The translucent panels are made up of soft neon hues of glass encased in thin black steel frames that double up as feature display shelves. Where the panels overlap, layers of colour are created.

“The division of spaces has been carefully considered, as were the design strategies and elements involved in this,” explained S/LAB. “One such example is the centrally-positioned conference room on the white epoxy-floored first level. ”

“The room is surrounded by heavy but lush emerald green privacy drapes. Left open when not in use, the curtains provide a flexible use of space that opens up the heart of the level rather than further segmenting it,” the studio continued. Also on the first floor is a semi open lounge area with a standalone bar for entertaining clients.

On the building’s exterior, the building is wrapped by gold-copper alloy panels that fold open and shut. Rising up from the building’s ground level and echoing the office’s unusual gold copper alloy staircase, the panels shade the office from the sun during the day while hiding and revealing its lit interior at night.

Made up of triangulated facets of matte and highly polished gold-copper alloy, the panels are intended as a visual interpretation of the company’s name and brand. “Translated from Malay language, mantab means solidity; an unshakeable integrity. Our designers likened this to the hardiness of a diamond – with no single facet on the jewel alike, yet abound with impeccably hardy beauty,” said the studio.

“Inspired as well by the Malaysian shophouse vernacular of folding iron shutters, the gold-copper alloy clad folding panels are hinged and operable,” continued the studio. “Whether angled half-shut with its interiors peeking out to its suburban extents, or closed in entirety for privacy and to keep out the glare of tropical light out – the facade is eye-catching and captivating.”