Creating wild and wonderful worlds behind glass

KUALA LUMPUR: Reptivarium, a homegrown design and fabrication studio based in Malaysia, creates miniature naturalistic environments ranging from vivariums and paludariums to waterfalls and botanical displays. Founded by Alex Tng, Vanessa Lim, and Keven Ong, the studio's mission goes beyond just creating beautiful things – it's about connecting urban spaces with nature.

Tng, 29, explains that their approach is to transform an ordinary space into something immersive, organic, and alive. Reptivarium began as a hobby for Tng when Lim asked him to create an enclosure for her African fat-tailed gecko. Their creation garnered attention on social media, leading to commissioned work. Today, Reptivarium designs bespoke installations for homes, offices, clinics, cafés, event spaces, and commercial venues, catering to a variety of tenants, including exotic animals and purely botanical displays.

The team takes great care in understanding the natural behavior and needs of animals to ensure their proper care within the displays. The vivariums are always evolving, with plants growing and landscapes changing over time, creating a serene and zen-like atmosphere. As the industry is still relatively new in Malaysia, Reptivarium aims to expand their offerings, including larger indoor landscapes, artificial rainforests, moss walls, bespoke rockwork, waterfalls, ponds, and workshops.