Private Residences, Singapore

The original brief was for a group of buildings within a garden setting including the main family home, swimming pool and small guest house/pavilion.  However, as the project evolved and the family expanded, the guest house accommodation grew to become a substantial five-bedroom, 650 sq m home in its own right and a smaller third pavilion-style dwelling of 120 sq m was added.  The combined floor area of all three buildings is approximately 2,300 sq m. The three homes – interconnected via an outdoor lounge and swimming pool area – are set within extensive landscaped tropical gardens.

The modular design of the buildings is organised according to a very clear linear expression based on a 4.5m structural grid. It draws upon some of the ideas of Frank Lloyd Wright’s ‘Prairie Houses’, low, extended buildings which are characterised by shallow, sloping roofs, overhangs and terraces. Views are maximised, while each residence is organised so that privacy between the buildings is maintained. All service, kitchen, bathroom and staff facilities are located to the rear boundary edges of the property.