Site size: 10,700 square feet

Project size: 7,700 square feet

Program: The unique triangular-shaped site and the surrounding greenery were a driving force behind the overall planning and design of the house. The clients wanted to enjoy views of the landscape while also maintaining full privacy from passersby.

Location: Central Singapore

Solution: The house is turned away from the main road and neighboring houses, and the living spaces open out to the landscape at the house’s rear. The result is a massing comprising two blocks: a main building that runs along the length of the site, and a master suite wing located in the southwest corner of the site, tilted to correspond to the angle of the main road. Combined, they define a V-shaped courtyard—the focal point of common activities and outdoor entertainment—that faces the surrounding forests.

Construction and materials: The main volume has a post and beam structural system and a concrete substructure. Facing the street, an open-air steel and timber structure greets visitors. The timber is latticed and serves as a courtyard screen. The screen is a refined, detailed and rhythmic wall of over eight thousand timber strips, which draw attention to its delicate scale. A dynamic pattern of light and shadow plays out over the course of each day. The porous structure filters in sunlight and allows natural air to stream through into the living spaces within.

The design rethinks the conventional entry sequence of residential dwellings, creating a more layered and sequential experience. The structure is experienced almost as a ritual space, serene and tranquil, marking the transition between the public and private. It also serves as a buffer between the road and the main living spaces, ensuring privacy.

Additional Information

Completion date: January 2016

Gross square footage: 7,700 square feet

Total project cost: withheld

Total construction cost: withheld

Client: withheld

Owner: withheld