This house for a family of five sits on high ground with the rear having the view but facing west. The front faces east in a typical residential street. The design strategy was to place the living areas as well as the main bedrooms facing west to take advantage of the view. These spaces have deep overhangs or operable timber screens to protect it from the afternoon sun. In front, a 15 m high forecourt with a koi pond and feature tree acts as the buffer to the public street frontage. This space is covered, yet outdoors as there are openings on various sides. It is enclosed yet permanently and effectively ventilated. And it is private from the outside world, yet serves as the public space for the house where most of the circulation takes place.

At the rear the pool deck is sheltered by the mezzanine study above which then acts as the shield for the double volume living dining space. This study is in turn protected by a rotating timber screen with each blade made up of 8 pieces of timber. In order to span the entire width of the house the floor is suspended from the top floor, via a pair of deep beams which also serve as a planter for the master bedroom.

Throughout the house nature is introduced and emphasizes the duality of the spaces. Are you inside, or outside? Why not both?

Name: Outside In
Type: 2 storey semi-detached house with attic, mezzanine, basement and swimming pool
Location: Watten View, Singapore
Site Area: 450 m2
Gross Floor Area: 778 m2
Status: Completed 2022
Architect: HYLA Architects
Principal Architect: Mr Han Loke Kwang
Assistant Architects: Tran Thi Thu Trang, Constans Tan, Thomas Ong
Main Contractor: : Emma Groups Construction Pte Ltd
Structural Engineer: GCE Consulting Engineers
Landscape: Nyee Phoe Flower Garden Pte Ltd
Interior: Graceful Décor Pte Ltd
Photographer: Derek Swalwell