a trip to rimbun dahan.

Hello peeps!

How is your weekend? Hoping everything is well! I forgot it is start of school holiday. No wonder traffic is absolute mental. My sister text me to go for a quick getaway to Rimbun Dahan, located outskirt of KL on the district of Kuang, Sungai Buloh, Selangor. I’m kind of taken aback since driving down to the place takes 75 minutes to reach there.

I never heard of Rimbun Dahan before. They told me the place is own by renowned architect Hijjas Kasturi, I know I’ll be visiting beautiful house with gorgeous architectural details. I am a big fan of architecural design. Without hesitation, I answered yes to my sister and there we go, off to the place.

Rimbun Dahan, the home of architect Hijjas Kasturi and his wife Angela Kasturi. Set on fourteen acres outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the compound of Rimbun Dahan is a centre for developing traditional and contemporary art forms. It features buildings designed by Hijjas Kasturi, as well as two early 20th century traditional Malay houses from Perak and Penang, in an indigenous garden environment. There are also multiple artist studios, a dance studio, an artist lounge and library, and underground art gallery.

Rimbun Dahan offer residencies for visual artists, dancers, choreographers, writers, arts managers, curators and researchers as well as educational opportunities for students of architecture, ecology and botany.

Bilqis Kasturi, Hijjas Kasturi daughter was our tour guide of the day. She shared the background of Rimbun Dahan and touches many aspects such as the house design, the 14 acres garden including fresh smell of herbs garden, the Penang and Perak’s traditional houses as well the art programmes they are currently supporting.

Rimbun Dahan provide workspace and accommodation in this serene garden setting, far away from the bustle of the city of KL for artists seeking solitude, silence and space to focus on their work as well as the opportunity to meet and network with other artists from around the world.

Bilqis Kasturi shared their focus now is to support artists from within the Southeast Asian region, especially local Malaysian artists, while still providing space for international artists who are interested in engaging with Southeast Asian and Malaysian culture and art. Established in 1994, the program has hosted more than 100 individuals who have benefited from the unique atmosphere of Rimbun Dahan to build their own artistic practice. Well done!!!

Rimbun Dahan is not open to the general public outside of their events, and they do not accept visits without appointment so please do email them and contact their staff beforehand. Student visits and tour group visits can be arranged by emailing to them. I’ve heard they organized the tour once a year. I’m so lucky then if this is true!

I do really enjoy the visit and highly recommended to all of you. I think I’m that age of enjoying gardening, plants, architecture and outdoor stuff. It gives serene and calm feelings. A bit kind of theraphy.

Here I shared with you several photos of me and the surrounding areas of Rimbun Dahan.