The challenge of this semi-detached house was how to provide all the spaces the owner wanted in a site of just 245 m2 with a site facing west. With a small basement to house the utility areas, we were able to design an open plan living, dining and dry kitchen area facing a 15m lap pool with a lift, wet kitchen and powder room on the 1st storey. The front façade faces west and is shielded from the western sun by a timber grained off form concrete wall. Despite this the house has a very open and spacious feel and is completely private from the street. The upper levels hold 4 bedrooms all with ensuite bathrooms, a family room and a study. Behind the concrete wall a timber screens shade the bedroom levels from the setting sun. The staircase has a tapering section and faces a planting strip. At the 1st storey a geometrical screen separates it from the dry kitchen. This design shows that you can indeed have everything for your family without a large site.

Name: Openly Screened
Type: 2 storey semi-detached house with basement, attic and swimming pool
Location: Chiselhurst Grove, Singapore
Site Area: 245 m2
Gross Floor Area: 299 m2
Status: Completed 2018
Architect: HYLA Architects
Principal Architect: Mr Han Loke Kwang
Assistant Architects: Chong Wen Jin, Thomas Ong
Main Contractor: :iBuilders
Structural Engineer: NCL Consultants
Photographer: Derek Swalwell