Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: The House With the 'Green Wall'
Plenty of natural light, voluminous space, and a wall teeming with lush greenery make this home a refreshing haven for its dwellers
With the hustle and bustle of city dwelling comes a yearning to feel more connected to the natural environment. Architect Casey Chua of ADX Architects fulfilled a family’s desire to live comfortably in a modern, spacious abode that would allow them to stay closely-knit, and to have a home that responds to climactic needs (in other words, a sustainable home that’s aligned with their idea of green living).
From the main gate, the canopied car porch transitions to a patio decked out in chengal wood. This vantage point reveals the generous use of glass around the house.
Right beside the main entrance are aluminium doors that hide a large storage space for shoes, golf bags, umbrellas, among others. The doors’ vertical lines of blend well with the facade.
Right beside the main entrance are aluminium doors that hide a large storage space for shoes, golf bags, umbrellas, among others. The doors’ vertical lines of blend well with the facade.
Step inside the house and you’ll notice the subtle division of space. A dividing wall visually separates the foyer and the living area, without sacrificing the airiness of the entire space. Different ceiling materials also help demarcate each of the space – teak wood trellis for the foyer and timber veneer for the living area.
The flight of stairs is partially concealed by the anodised aluminium screen.
The flight of stairs is partially concealed by the anodised aluminium screen.
Chua highlights the living area’s voluminous space by keeping furniture and accessories to a minimum, and the palette in neutral colours. Full-height windows provide natural light while visually connecting the indoor space to the garden views outside.
Furniture: Marquis Studio
Furniture: Marquis Studio
Natural light bathes the dining area through double-height windows. Bocci lights, hanging three metres down from the six-metre-high ceiling, accentuate the vertical expanse. Initially the owners had concerns regarding the maintenance of the large windows and the hanging lights, but eventually loved the effect after the area was completed, says Chua. “The ambience of the dining room is spacious and dramatic, and it was much appreciated without regrets,” he shares.
The design also incorporates an interior balcony that overlooks the dining area, which effectively allows light to filter in to the second storey and the stairs. Day or night, the custom-built dining table with its shiny marble top and curvy metal legs glimmer and help bounce off light.
Bocci lights: Space Furniture; chairs: Marquis Studio
Bocci lights: Space Furniture; chairs: Marquis Studio
The eat-in kitchen makes for a casual setup for everyday dining, and offers additional seating for large gatherings. The kitchen island’s dining-table-height extension, which partially wraps around the island, allows family members to sit comfortably and keep the cook company. All-white, handleless cabinetry and granite countertops complete the sleek look. The white refrigerator blends right in with the clean lines and colour palette.
Kitchen cabinets: W. Atelier; Wishbone chairs: Space Furniture; appliances: Miele
Kitchen cabinets: W. Atelier; Wishbone chairs: Space Furniture; appliances: Miele
The ensuite bathrooms on the second and third stories look out onto the lushly planted green wall. “When the glass doors are opened, the bathrooms are naturally ventilated. When they are closed, the user has a full view of the green wall, which is visually refreshing and calming,” says Chua.
To maintain privacy, vertical timber fins were added along the length of the windows. “The choice of solid teak wood for the timber fins complement the wall of foliage,” he adds. Natural travertine stone was selected for walls and flooring, to round up the tranquil setting.
This bathroom’s efficient design earned the first prize for Bathroom Design at Axor Hansgrohe Axor’s ‘My Lifestyle with Axor’ design competition.
Wares and fittings: Hansgrohe Axor range; bathtub and water closet: Laufen
To maintain privacy, vertical timber fins were added along the length of the windows. “The choice of solid teak wood for the timber fins complement the wall of foliage,” he adds. Natural travertine stone was selected for walls and flooring, to round up the tranquil setting.
This bathroom’s efficient design earned the first prize for Bathroom Design at Axor Hansgrohe Axor’s ‘My Lifestyle with Axor’ design competition.
Wares and fittings: Hansgrohe Axor range; bathtub and water closet: Laufen
The green wall is a mix of ferns (Davalla Bullata), Swiss Cheese plant (Monstera Obliqua ‘Expilata’), arrowhead plant (Syngonium Podophyllum), and spike moss (Selaginella).
Landscaping for green wall: Flora Landscape
Landscaping for green wall: Flora Landscape
Bedrooms occupy the second and third levels of the house. The son’s bedroom is a serene retreat, created with muted and earthy colours. The sleeping area is rendered a raw, vintage feel courtesy of a distressed timber-look laminate headboard.
A full-height, floor-to-ceiling, open shelving unit stands in the middle of the room, essentially dividing the space into functional zones. The TV sits on a swivel mount, which allows him to watch TV programmes from either the sofa or the bed.
The round column at one end of the sofa is also part of the design. “We worked with the engineers to have a round column inside the room instead of the typical structural one at the corner of the house, because we wanted the windows to wrap around the corner,” says Chua.
A full-height, floor-to-ceiling, open shelving unit stands in the middle of the room, essentially dividing the space into functional zones. The TV sits on a swivel mount, which allows him to watch TV programmes from either the sofa or the bed.
The round column at one end of the sofa is also part of the design. “We worked with the engineers to have a round column inside the room instead of the typical structural one at the corner of the house, because we wanted the windows to wrap around the corner,” says Chua.
Apart from the bed and the sitting area, a study runs the length of one side of the bedroom.
The expanse of windows in this room means that all the individual areas mentioned abound with daylight, enhancing its streamlined design.
Furniture: Marquis Studio, Lifestorey and OM
The expanse of windows in this room means that all the individual areas mentioned abound with daylight, enhancing its streamlined design.
Furniture: Marquis Studio, Lifestorey and OM
The attic level is designated as the entertainment space – the family members often have guests over. There’s a spot to sit at and just take in the breathtaking view, especially the nightscape.
Next to the pool table is a mini pantry, equipped with a fridge for drinks and wine. Adjacent to this space is a karaoke room.
Next to the pool table is a mini pantry, equipped with a fridge for drinks and wine. Adjacent to this space is a karaoke room.
Extending the swath of greenery at the attic level is a long planter box that runs from the timber-decked terrace to the family room and bathroom. The lushness of the green wall is also fully felt here; making way for a truly relaxing experience while taking in the sights and sounds on this outdoor terrace. “The integrated vertical green wall indeed acts as the visual connection for the whole house,” says Chua.
Outdoor furniture: Demp
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Is a green wall something you would consider in your home? Share in the Comments section.
Outdoor furniture: Demp
See more of this project
TELL US
Is a green wall something you would consider in your home? Share in the Comments section.
Who lives here: Mr and Mrs Tang, and their teenage son and daughter
Location: Upper Serangoon, Singapore
Size: 563 square metres (built-up area); 330.5 square metres (land area)
Project duration: 18 months
“Our design features a ‘green wall’ as a buffer zone to detach the house slightly from the neighbouring house. The front of the house is articulated with horizontal screens that help shield sunlight from the west side, and at the same time allow for views from the bedroom,” Chua explains. It also acts as a natural air filtration system, removing toxins while releasing oxygen to the environment, and as a subtle noise barrier with its lush greenery.
The nine-metre-high green wall runs from the second storey to the attic terrace. Noce travertine (stone) slabs break the monotony of the boxy interior’s metal and concrete elements.