Artrend: Best Residential Design GOLD, High-rise – AURELIA

by Aisha Capulong

AURELIA brings a stunning modern twist on the yin-yang design philosophy, utilising defined lines and contra tones that blend minimalism with contemporary luxury

The winning projects at this year’s Designer of the Year Awards, commonly recognised as DOTY, are among Malaysia’s finest designs. In honouring and celebrating the works of leading visionaries, the platform has become the benchmark of excellence in the Malaysian and international design scene. With exceptional talent, these design studios are able to change the worlds that surround them into innovative spaces of being, living and breathing. Presenting — the recipients of the 15th installation of the DOTY Awards.

Gold Winner of DOTY 2025 Best Residential Design — High-rise

Beauty in Opposites

AURELIA by Artrend

This modern residence, located at the seaside town of Tanjung Bungah, is a bold masterpiece of dark hues and light palettes. A contemporary spin of the yin-yang design concept, AURELIA features sharp, clean lines and natural yet contrasting tones to create a peacefully balanced space.

The overall minimalist approach within the home allows the darker elements to really shine against the lighter components, and this is immediately noticeable from the very first step into the residence. White sharp-lined cabinets make up the entry foyer, and are coupled with a curved-edged dark mahogany casing that reaches the ceiling and ultimately extends into the TV console.

The living room is an enclosed cove-like area filled with curved edges, giving the entire space a softer and more inviting look. As can be seen in all spaces within AURELIA, various types of lighting fixtures are artfully placed to create shadows that play with the lighter colour palettes, forming depth-adding silhouettes on the ceiling and walls of the home. A fluted glass screen to the side of the living room ensures there is a clear divide allocated for the area without entirely closing the space off. Collectible bear statues in shiny chrome dot the display casing.

The use of the cassette air conditioning unit in the stretch connecting the living room and the kitchen-dining area lowers the ceiling visually, inducing a sense of coziness for the expansive open concept area. AURELIA’s dining space is an intimate affair of dark bases paired with white counters and tops.

A modern bubble pendant light hangs over the high table that is reminiscent of a breakfast bar, establishing a casual, laidback feel to the space rather than a strict and formal dining room. Although open plan, the dining area and kitchen are visibly separated by the contrasting millwork, where white cabinetry envelopes the dining counter while dark walnut encases the kitchen.

Throughout AURELIA, there is use of varying ceiling heights. Design studio Artrend explains the reasoning behind this choice being to create a feeling of comfort while maintaining visual interest. Down the hallway is where the principal bedroom proudly stands. A dark wood platform lifts the height of the sleeping area despite taking on the Japanese zen style for minimalism and creating satisfying highlights and optic paths that follow the curves of the room, warm hidden strip lighting borders the bottom of the raised bed platform, headboard and curtain recess.

The principal shower utilises the same colour palette as the principal bedroom, embracing the white on dark wood tones, resulting in a pristine space made of marble veneers and clear glass barriers. One of AURELIA’s highlights, the home office, is a spot that is bound to incite great levels of focus and productivity.

Designed to be incredibly user-friendly, the office features an extended work desk, plenty of drawers and cupboards as well as a comfy reading nook by the window. Several bands of light strips are sandwiched into the recesses of the wooden panelling, making unique use of the feature and in the process, creating art.

This harmonious home by Artrend emphasises on finding beauty in gentle balance. The adoption of a yin-yang concept grants AURELIA the ability to be visually striking while also being fully functional. Artrend’s design ethos centers around marrying tasteful aesthetics with unrelenting practicality. The studio believes optimised designs are what meets clients’ needs and expectations, so the team is constantly striving to innovate in that philosophy – and this home in Penang presents itself as the very manifestation of Artrend’s defining style.