With both the front and rear facing busy roads, and the side an old house, this house looks inwards. A triple volume covered but naturally ventilated court with a pool becomes the focus of the internal space. On the side, a sculptural staircase cantilevers from the wall to reach the family room on the second level. The journey continues upwards on another staircase with a stepped planter on the side and lit from above. The whole house is finished in off form concrete and grey face brick. The Master bathroom continues this theme, with brick openings that allow ventilation but not views through. This bathroom as well as the attic bath has planting areas that offers a green contrast to the grey scheme. Custom storage units in the living, family and study echo the concrete and brick geometry of the house.

Name: Surprising Seclusion
Type: 2 storey corner terrace house with attic and swimming pool
Location: Binchang Rise, Singapore
Site Area: 298 m2
Gross Floor Area: 360 m2
Status: Completed 2017
Architect: HYLA Architects
Principal Architect: Mr Han Loke Kwang
Assistant Architects: Chong Wen Jin, Thomas Ong
Main Contractor: : Praxis Contractors Pte Ltd
Structural Engineer: GCE Consulting Engineers
Photographer: Derek Swalwell, HYLA Architects