Heaven & Earth House is a thoughtfully designed residence for a senior couple, integrating Feng Shui principles with a serene natural setting that faces a neighbourhood park. The architecture promotes harmony and balance, with multi-level courtyards at each end of the house that draw greenery upward—symbolizing a connection between earth and sky. These vertical courtyards not only provide visual continuity with nature but also encourage natural light, airflow, and interaction from the surrounding rooms, enriching the spatial experience.
Privacy is carefully maintained despite the park-facing orientation. A refined interplay of walls, aluminium screens, and pergolas allows the home to feel open yet protected. This spatial strategy fosters a sense of seclusion while maintaining a strong connection with the surrounding landscape and neighbourhood context.
The use of vernacular materials and traditional detailing pays homage to the aesthetic of the Chinese courtyard house. Weathered brick, timber, and stone surfaces create a textured, grounded atmosphere that complements the couple’s extensive collection of cultural and religious antiques, accumulated over five decades. These objects are displayed throughout the home in alcoves and niches that feel both curated and lived-in.
While deeply rooted in tradition, the home is designed with contemporary functionality in mind—accommodating aging-in-place needs through intuitive circulation, accessible layouts, and integrated outdoor living areas. Each space is designed for ease of use without compromising its architectural integrity or symbolic meaning.
Heaven & Earth House is more than a residence; it is a sanctuary that reflects the lives, beliefs, and memories of its occupants. By balancing traditional values with modern living, the home creates a setting that is not only culturally resonant but also timeless in its expression of harmony between people, place, and the natural world.

Name: Heaven & Earth House
Type: 2 storey detached house with mezzanine, attic and swimming pool
Location: Jalan Novena, Singapore
Site Area: 598.7 m2
Gross Floor Area: 673.4m2
Status: Completed 2024
Architect: HYLA Architects
Principal Architect: Han Loke Kwang, Nicholas Gomes
Assistant Architects: Wesley Fong, Carol Huang, Thomas Ong
Main Contractor: : QS Builders Pte Ltd
Structural Engineer: GCE Consulting Engineers
Landscape: This Humid House Pte Ltd
Interior: Hiap Chuan Wood Industries Pte Ltd
Photographer: Derek Swalwell