Project #3: Case Study for Creating a Landmark in a Neighbourhood
In a neighbourhood of identical houses, this multi-generational one was intended to stand out in form and function
The larger one of the two bungalows sits at the apex of what appears to be a ‘necklace’ of the identical, semi-detached houses. In both form and function, it’s different: a faceted earth-toned pendant to the grey chain. Architects William Ng, Kho Keguang and Wu Shan Yat of Studio Wills + Architects were commissioned by the developer, Capitaland Singapore, with the recommendation of the development’s master planner, W Architects, to design this landmark house.
The landmark house (marked in blackened shapes), which the architects call Project #3, sits at the end of the site, its entrance facing a cul-de-sac.
Ng identifies the design solutions that Studio Wills + Architects applied vis-a-vis site restrictions and guidelines: “We had a free hand in our interpretation of visual ‘break’ and approached that from the massing, form, materials and colours of the house.
“To achieve a scale and massing compatible with its ‘neighbours’, we ‘fragmentised’ the permissible building volume of the bungalow into smaller scalable volumes close to that of the semi-detached houses within the development.
“To achieve a form that assimilates with the surrounding pitched-roofs, the fragmented building volumes were faceted in various directions resulting in slope-surfaced prismatic volumes.
“To differentiate itself from its ‘neighbours’, the house was constructed in concrete and finished in two-tone earth colours that distinguish it from the development’s dominant grey shades.
“The result is a house that has a quality of‘ sameness’ and ‘differences’ with its ‘neighbours’,” says Ng.
“To achieve a scale and massing compatible with its ‘neighbours’, we ‘fragmentised’ the permissible building volume of the bungalow into smaller scalable volumes close to that of the semi-detached houses within the development.
“To achieve a form that assimilates with the surrounding pitched-roofs, the fragmented building volumes were faceted in various directions resulting in slope-surfaced prismatic volumes.
“To differentiate itself from its ‘neighbours’, the house was constructed in concrete and finished in two-tone earth colours that distinguish it from the development’s dominant grey shades.
“The result is a house that has a quality of‘ sameness’ and ‘differences’ with its ‘neighbours’,” says Ng.
The design brief from Capitaland was for “a house that is ‘flexible’, promotes multi-generational living, with maximum natural lighting and cross-ventilation. Basement spaces, if any, should be awash with abundant daylight and landscape.”
Studio Wills + Architects proposed internal courtyards in between the fragmented volumes, creating multiple opportunities for windows and cross-ventilation. Two of the courtyards, which wrap around the stairwell and lift, are connected by a reflective pool in the basement, further cooling the atrium-style space.
Studio Wills + Architects proposed internal courtyards in between the fragmented volumes, creating multiple opportunities for windows and cross-ventilation. Two of the courtyards, which wrap around the stairwell and lift, are connected by a reflective pool in the basement, further cooling the atrium-style space.
The house was designed to accommodate three or four generations (12-14 family members) comfortably, says Ng. Envisioned as a multi-generational household where individuals can live autonomously within the one structure, the fragmented volumes and the generous space planning lend themselves to privacy for a nuclear family, with easy connectivity to extended family.
The spaces include six bedrooms (including master suite and junior master suite), two living/dining areas, two kitchens, family room and service/support facilities.
The spaces include six bedrooms (including master suite and junior master suite), two living/dining areas, two kitchens, family room and service/support facilities.
Ng says that the greatest challenge for Studio Wills + Architects was to design a bungalow sitting on the largest plot of land within a neighbourhood of smaller semi-detached houses.
“‘How to design a big house that sits comfortably within an environment of small houses without compromising its own programmatic needs?’ This was the key question we asked ourselves from the onset of this project,” he says. “The other question was ‘How does a big house remain relevant given that the family composition will change over time?’”
Providing those flexible spaces in the basement – where the secondary living/dining area could be an entertainment room, and its pantry doubles as a fully-equipped secondary kitchen – responds to that changing family composition.
“‘How to design a big house that sits comfortably within an environment of small houses without compromising its own programmatic needs?’ This was the key question we asked ourselves from the onset of this project,” he says. “The other question was ‘How does a big house remain relevant given that the family composition will change over time?’”
Providing those flexible spaces in the basement – where the secondary living/dining area could be an entertainment room, and its pantry doubles as a fully-equipped secondary kitchen – responds to that changing family composition.
The primary living and dining area opens out to a deck and a swimming pool in the rear of the property. Viewed from this angle, the landmark house blends in size-wise with its semi-detached neighbours, yet stands out with its black cladding on glass appearance.
Basement (top) and first storey plans
Second storey (top) and attic plans
As a developer-led project, Studio Wills + Architects turned over Project #3 to Capitaland unfurnished. “We hope the concept of duality, expressed by the surfaces and openings, materials and colours will provide a ‘framework’ for anyone, be it the owners or interior designers, with sufficient ‘clues’ and latitude to appoint and furnish the interior,” says Ng.
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See more of this project
Tell us
Like this landmark house? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, save the story, and join in the conversation.
One of the elements that makes a city memorable is the landmark, be it a building or a piece of landscape. In the case of this neighbourhood, which is a mini city of identical, semi-detached houses, the landmarks are two bungalows that visually break the cookie-cutter pattern.