Location   East Coast, Singapore

Surface area   9,257 square feet

Photographs   © Albert Lim

	Passive solar
	Natural daylight   Natural ventilation

The owners wanted a spacious, contemporary home, as open as possible but without compromising on security and privacy. Surrounded by neighbors on all sides, the solution was to build a completely enclosed conjunction of buildings that would bring the outside spaces in, with pools and gardens that would normally be found outside the main body of the home.

The ground level does away with the walls that would have been necessary if the communal and private areas were to exist on the same floor. Thus, the view through the different areas of the ground floor extends for more than 130 feet, meaning that all the spaces are seen to be existing within the exterior structure.

The environmental transparencies at ground level and among the courtyards are also important in that they provide natural ventilation within the building: the temperature difference between courtyards, rooms, and the pool creates similar air flow to a sea breeze blowing onto the shore.

For the owners, the serenity created by having a space free of encumbrances, and the gentle breeze, the dappled sunlight, and the silence of the rippling water in a pond are priceless within such a dense and crowded urban landscape.

Front elevation

Side elevation

Longitudinal section

  1.  Carport

  2.  Foyer

  3.  Swimming pool

  4.  Living room

  5.  Courtyard

  6.  Dining room

  7.  Fish pond

  8.  Wine cellar

  9.  Master bedroom

10.  Bedroom

 The adjacent and interconnected spaces distribute the slightest of breezes, promoting horizontal and circular air movement. The patios help to generate and maintain the circulation.

 All patios have different material finishes that offer greater heat insulation and minimal maintenance (water, grass, and granite).

Second floor

  1.  Flat roof

  2.  Void to swimming pool

  3.  Study

  4.  Master bedroom

  5.  Wardrobe

  6.  Master bathroom

  7.  Corridor

  8.  Void to courtyard

  9.  Bedroom

10.  Bathroom

11.  Family room

12.  Outdoor balcony

13.  Void

14.  Skylight

First floor

  1.  Driveway

  2.  Carport

  3.  Changing room

  4.  Storeroom

  5.  Foyer

  6.  Swimming pool

  7.  Living room

  8.  Powder room

  9.  TV area

10.  Corridor

11.  Courtyard

12.  Dining room

13.  Kitchen

14.  Outdoor terrace

15.  Void to basement

16.  Study

17.  Outdoor deck

18.  Bathroom

Basement

  1.  Wine cellar

  2.  Bathroom

  3.  Yard

  4.  Maid’s room

  5.  Wine cellar

  6.  Fish pond

  7.  Storeroom

  8.  Ejector room

 The floor-to-ceiling wood blinds on the second floor are manually adjustable, allowing you to filter the desired amount of breeze and sunlight.