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Houzz Tour: This Modern-Tropical Sentosa Home was Japanese-Inspired

This seaside house is characteristic of Singapore's chic, cosmopolitan vibe yet at the same time smartly responds to its tropical setting

Chiquit Brammall 14 May 2016

Design journalist and freelance editor. Dollhouse architect. Serial renter.

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With so many of the luxury homes in Sentosa Cove making their grand design statements, this clean-lined bungalow by Greg Shand Architects shows tasteful restraint in its modern-minimalist references. It takes its cue, says Singapore-certified architect Greg Shand, from a traditional Japanese courtyard house “with rooms spilling onto terraces that surround a central courtyard garden”. Combined with a holistic approach to sustainability and climactic needs, the contemporary beach house is indeed a refreshing escape for the family that owns it.

Greg Shand Architects

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A Malaysian family resides here when they visit Singapore
Location: Sentosa Cove
Size: 10,473 sqft (site); 8,105 sqft (GFA); approx 9,149 sqft (built-up area)
Project duration: 18 months

A groove-cut marble facade conceals the oasis that is the house’s central courtyard. Shand balanced the imposing marble blocks with flat roofs that add horizontal features jutting out from them, and a welcoming timber frame marking the entryway.

Shand says: “The teak timber frame was designed to mark the entry to the house, as juxtaposition to the solid marble blocks on either side of the entrance. Originally intended to be a commissioned artwork, the frame is free-standing and emphasises the lightness of the column-free car porch canopy floating above”.

Greg Shand Architects

In keeping with the owner’s brief, Shand’s design was intended “not to create an architectural edifice that called attention to itself; rather, we wanted to portray a feeling of understated luxury in the materials we selected”. The architect used light ivory travertine, groove-cut into 450x450mm modules, on the external and internal walls.

“The groove cuts give depth to the stone, and add texture to the walls, which is emphasised when light is cast onto the walls,” says Shand.

Modernist lines stretch out horizontally for climactic design solutions: large canopies and roof overhangs provide passive shading and cooling to the house.

Greg Shand Architects

Past the timber frame that marks the home’s front entrance, and the seemingly double-height front door (also in Burmese teak, as Shand says this compliments the ivory travertine and adds a homely warmth to the spaces), the foyer’s dramatic ceiling height dwarfs the Kartell Magic Hole chairs by Philippe Starck and clues you in on more surprises waiting within.

Magic Hole chairs by Philippe Starck for Kartell: Space Furniture

Greg Shand Architects

As soon as you step past the foyer, a refreshing green oasis greets you: the central courtyard which is surrounded by, and accessible to, the social spaces – living and dining areas, and kitchen, as well as the home gym – on the ground floor.

Befitting its Japanese inspiration, it has a shallow reflecting pool on which sit solid granite slabs with bonsai-style landscaping. “Being at Sentosa Cove, water was used as the primary element in the courtyard landscape design,” says Shand.

Greg Shand Architects

Flanked on both sides by full-height glass doors and panels, the living and dining areas enjoy views of the central courtyard as well as the garden and pool.

The living area is decked in contemporary pieces that harken to modern-minimalist aesthetics, allowing the architecture to be the conversation piece and make the groove-cut marble walls and honey-hued timber details stand out .

Sofa by B&B Italia: Space Furniture

Greg Shand Architects

The layout is so thoughtfully planned that the living and dining areas enjoy an open concept, and yet are both distinct spaces. Again, in the dining room, the furniture is contemporary yet its modern-minimalist lines, neutral palette and organic feel give off a chic, modernist vibe.

Equally thoughtful are the mosquito screens provided for all openings, by way of customised motorised blinds in the living and dining areas, and master bedroom, and sliding panels for bedrooms and bathrooms. Shand says that this allows the house to be fully opened up for natural ventilation with full protection from mosquitos.

Heracleum Lights by Moooi, Papilio Chair by B&B Italia: Space Furniture

Greg Shand Architects

Directly from the foyer – before you turn to the living and dining areas – is the sleek staircase that has piqued the interest of Houzzers around the world, winning Best of Houzz 2016 for Design. It leads up to the second floor, which Shand says has three bedrooms, including the master bedroom and study, each with ensuite bathrooms.

The staircase looks out to the Zen-like garden with a reflecting pool. Its groove-cut ivory travertine walls and Burmese teak floors and stair treads are accented by hairline stainless steel that, says Shand, “adds a touch of sophistication to the articulation of such elements as the staircase handrail and bridge to the bedroom wing”.

(Foyer) Random Light by Moooi: Space Furniture

Greg Shand Architects

Adjacent to the dining space is the dry kitchen, which includes an island that doubles as a breakfast table. Like most parts of the house, it enjoys a refreshing view of the internal courtyard.

(Foyer) Random Light by Moooi: Space Furniture; Egg chair: Republic of Fritz Hansen at W.Atelier

Greg Shand Architects

The wet kitchen, closed off from the open flow of the living and dining spaces and the dry kitchen, is designed for function, that is, the heavy cooking that is typical of Southeast Asian cuisine, involving mouthwatering aromas that shouldn’t be sticking to the rest of the house.

Greg Shand Architects

The powder room showcases the careful detailing of the materials that Shand used: that groove-cut marble juxtaposed against the warmth of the timber doors, and the modernist geometry of the structure echoed by the boxy shapes of the vanity mirror and washbasin.

Greg Shand Architects

As with most houses in Sentosa Cove, this modern tropical bungalow is its own tropical retreat, with a swimming pool surrounded by lush greens.

A balcony wraps around the second floor, shaded by a trellised canopy identical to the one at the car porch in front of the house. Adding more shade is the main roof, which extends even further to shield the balcony from sun and rain.

Browse more inspiring pool designs

Greg Shand Architects

The master bedroom, in all its expansive glory, is outlined by window bay benches and a frame-like pod that separates the sleep area from the bathroom. Emphasising the zoning even more, the bed and its custom-built side tables are set on a platform that’s lit from underneath to give it a floating effect.

Greg Shand Architects

Shand explains: “The master bedroom has a large dressing area and open-concept bathroom with a cantilevered recycled teak vanity and his-and-hers washbasins. LED lighting is used to highlight the recycled teak ceiling – the reflected light providing a warm diffused glow in the room. The master bedroom links to the study via a covered balcony.”

Greg Shand Architects

The separation between the gym and study wing, and the main house affords views through to Sentosa Cove’s golf course behind, giving the feeling of being in a resort rather than a typical house, Shand says. Sliding pocket doors allow these to be completely hidden, for an unimpeded view from the courtyard through to the golf course behind the house.

Indeed, while this house has all the features of a contemporary urban dwelling, it’s a fresh green retreat for its owners.

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