Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Form Follows Site in a Hilly, Multi-Generational Home
Aamer Architects walks us through this sculptural house designed for three generations, and to follow its hilly location
From any level you’re viewing it, this sculptural house looks stunning, its curves hugging the hill it’s on. On the second weekend of Archifest 2018, its owners and architects opened it to Architours visitors. For those who missed the tour, or would like to learn more about this multi-generational house, architect Aamer Taher of Aamer Architects takes us through this house his team calls ‘Meandering on the Hill’.
All photos by Sanjay Kewlani [www.skewedeye.com]
The design of this house begins with its site, which Taher describes as a steep, odd-shaped hill with large trees. “Although we were faced with a steep, upward odd-shaped sloping site, we were inspired by the tall trees and potential for distant views from up the hill,” he says.
To build the seven-bedroom home for three generations – a family with two adult sons, a teenage daughter, the youngest son and grandparents – the house was designed to “meander fluidly upwards over five floors diverting around the very mature trees.”
To build the seven-bedroom home for three generations – a family with two adult sons, a teenage daughter, the youngest son and grandparents – the house was designed to “meander fluidly upwards over five floors diverting around the very mature trees.”
Entry is via the road, through the carpark at basement 2, which is pleasantly light-filled, with lush views of feature ponds and a waterfall-garden leading the eye upwards.
“Due to the steepness of the slope, the entrance was at basement 2. As you pass the carpark at basement 2, you are surprised by a large internal garden/waterfall courtyard and ponds that not only create internalised views for the double volume entertainment hall at this level but also provide for ample natural light and ventilation,” says Taher.
“Due to the steepness of the slope, the entrance was at basement 2. As you pass the carpark at basement 2, you are surprised by a large internal garden/waterfall courtyard and ponds that not only create internalised views for the double volume entertainment hall at this level but also provide for ample natural light and ventilation,” says Taher.
The first of three living areas – what Taher refers to as the entertainment hall – beckons from the foyer. With a double-height ceiling, and flanked by the waterfall-garden and another pocket garden, you’d immediately forget that this is a basement level space.
Indeed, light plays a role in the way spaces were planned. Taher says: “The spaces were carefully carved to get the best views, natural light and ventilation for all rooms including bathrooms, while affording as much privacy as possible.”
Indeed, light plays a role in the way spaces were planned. Taher says: “The spaces were carefully carved to get the best views, natural light and ventilation for all rooms including bathrooms, while affording as much privacy as possible.”
On basement 1 is another living area, which functions more as a family room, sandwiched between two bedrooms with en suite bathrooms for the adult sons. There’s also a pantry as well as a guest room with en suite bathroom, making this floor self-sufficient.
Taher explains the concept behind this space planning: “These days there is a demand to provide for a multi-generational family but with enough privacy between generations. Adult children, even after marriage, will not mind residing with their parents if they can have their separate spaces.”
Taher explains the concept behind this space planning: “These days there is a demand to provide for a multi-generational family but with enough privacy between generations. Adult children, even after marriage, will not mind residing with their parents if they can have their separate spaces.”
Surrounded by pocket gardens accessed through a deck, the adult sons’ bedrooms evoke a resort-like ambience.
There is an alternative, separate access to these suites via external stairs along the sloping waterfall, Taher says.
There is an alternative, separate access to these suites via external stairs along the sloping waterfall, Taher says.
The first storey (L1), says Taher, is actually at the third level. It features the main living and dining areas, which have spectacular views over the estate and face the large infinity swimming pool that sits above the two bedroom suites on basement 1.
It’s a semi-open-plan layout, with the living area and its pantry set a few steps lower than the dining area and open-concept dry kitchen, but there are no doors separating these social spaces.
Behind the dry kitchen sits a larger wet kitchen where all the heavy cooking is done, and the service area.
Alfresco dining allows the family to enjoy the pool as well as the stunning view of their home.
The second storey (L2) houses the study, master bedroom and young daughter’s room. There is also a shared TV area (above).
An attic (L3) features a large bedroom/study/play area with green roof terraces. This level is dedicated to the youngest boy.
An attic (L3) features a large bedroom/study/play area with green roof terraces. This level is dedicated to the youngest boy.
Every level is accessible by a central lift and stair core, except for the attic which is accessible by a spiral stair, Taher says.
“Materials tend to be natural, like hardwoods, marble, slate and stone. Most bathrooms have timber vertical louvres in place of glass windows. A mix of aquamarine ceramic tiles was used for the pool, to blend with the blue sky. The generally white plastered external walls add to the futuristic feel of the building form without being overly extravagant,” Taher says.
Taher and his team worked closely with interior decorator Benta Wiley Architects to ensure a cohesive, coordinated look for the interiors, with the loose furniture shipped in from Italy and the locally-crafted, custom-built wardrobes, headboards and kitchen.
Taher and his team worked closely with interior decorator Benta Wiley Architects to ensure a cohesive, coordinated look for the interiors, with the loose furniture shipped in from Italy and the locally-crafted, custom-built wardrobes, headboards and kitchen.
With its a curved floor-wall-roof design, the house was a cast-in-situ project, Taher explains. “To achieve 3D curved walls, multiple re-plastering had to be done to get it right,” he says.
“That one part where the floor wraps up the wall and becomes the roof, we find especially interesting. That there can be a tropical version of a futuristic house,” says Taher.
*Consultants, builder and contractors
Structural Engineer: Web Structures
M&E Engineer: CCA and Partners
Quantity Surveyor: BKG Consultants
Landscape supplier: Golden Hill Orchids
Interior Decoration: Benta Wiley Architects
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“That one part where the floor wraps up the wall and becomes the roof, we find especially interesting. That there can be a tropical version of a futuristic house,” says Taher.
*Consultants, builder and contractors
Structural Engineer: Web Structures
M&E Engineer: CCA and Partners
Quantity Surveyor: BKG Consultants
Landscape supplier: Golden Hill Orchids
Interior Decoration: Benta Wiley Architects
See more of this home
TELL US
What do you love about this home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
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Who lives here: Husband and wife in their forties, both business people, with their four children and the kids’ grandparents
Location: Dempsey Hill
Type of property: Good Class Bungalow
Size: 11,000 square feet (floor area)
Project duration: 18 months
Designers-in-charge: Aamer Taher, Edwin Ng of Aamer Architects
Design team: Jasni Ngahtemin, Edwin Ng, Scott Chen, Kelvin Wang Consultants, builder and contractors*: Web Structures, CCA and Partners, BKG Consultants, Golden Hill Orchids, Benta Wiley Architects