The site for this bungalow house lies at a busy road junction in western Singapore with a long view axis towards the main road. An L-shaped building layout plan creates a private garden at the rear corner of the site. The architectural concept of the building lies in its linear mass which cradles this inner sanctuary, with views from the living and kitchen spaces on the ground storey centred towards the green landscaping.
The intersection of building volumes also create view openings, and covered outdoor areas on the first storey as extensions of the living spaces. As part of tropical living in the local climate, air, natural light and greenery are allowed to penetrate the house through the use of large openings and skylight. The combined living and dining room has the spatial experience of an open pavilion, with the natural elements of water on one side and green landscaping on the other.
In the living and dining areas, a 12 foot high teak timber ceiling allows maximum light to enter the open spaces and excellent natural cross-ventilation when the glass sliding doors on each side are opened. As a result, the house is infused with light and air, allowing for a pleasant living experience in Singapore’s tropical climate. Rain is kept at bay with a large overhanging aluminium roof which also provides ample shade in the hot afternoons.
A fully-floating feature staircase clad in teak ties the two stories together in a double height volume, lined with double storey high off-form concrete walls. Borneo ironwood timber cladding is utilised on the second storey building facade to insulate the bedrooms as well as to break down the building mass visually from the storey below. The timber strips are untreated and allowed to weather naturally, creating a personal, alluring quality to the house.
