Cover This view from the garden highlights how the Good Class Bungalow’s cooling pool channels breezes into the porous ground floor, tempering the tropical heat
This view from the garden highlights how the Good Class Bungalow’s cooling pool channels breezes into the porous ground floor, tempering the tropical heat
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Wallflower Architects, assisted by interior design studio Massoneong and landscape architecture firm Salad Dressing, puts together a stunning Good Class Bungalow for a car enthusiast with contrasting atmospheres
This house by Wallflower Architects presents multifarious contrasting encounters—shade versus light, circular motifs versus orthogonal volumes, and intimate corners versus expansive ones. It is in these dualities that the inhabitants and guests are able to thoroughly experience dwelling in the tropics. Christened House Above the Trees, it sits on elevated ground with a lush landscaped curtain fronting the street, hiding its scale and sensuality.
A family of five reside in this Good Class Bungalow, which the firm’s founder, Robin Tan, describes as having been designed like a secret slowly unveiling. “From the street, it appears as a quiet stronghold, guarded by stone walls and vegetation,” he says. “Yet, within, the architecture opens into a sanctuary where light pours into subterranean chambers, where water and trees animate cavern-like spaces, and where a floating travertine form rests lightly on slender columns.”
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Above An aerial view of the Good Class Bungalow depicts its landscaped courtyards and balance between the solid planes and porous timber screens
Above Amid the greenery, the Good Class Bungalow’s architecture reveals itself—its namesake, House Above the Trees, aptly realised in the landscape
An aerial view of the Good Class Bungalow depicts its landscaped courtyards and balance between the solid planes and porous timber screens
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Above A breathtaking elevation reveals the Good Class Bungalow’s screen-clad façade emerging gracefully atop lush tropical greenery
A breathtaking elevation reveals the Good Class Bungalow’s screen-clad façade emerging gracefully atop lush tropical greenery
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While the footprint is large, it is “less a monument than a living narrative”, Tan highlights of its nuanced design. A sliding gate opens to an underground entryway, where a circular courtyard sends down light and breezes.
“It is unexpectedly airy and theatrical,” the architect articulates. “The drama lies in the contrast—spaces that feel secretive yet welcoming, subterranean yet connected to nature. The tectonics are designed to heighten this sense of revelation, creating an architecture that balances power and serenity, mystery and light.”
Above The swimming pool’s gentle curve softens the dialogue between architecture and landscape
The swimming pool’s gentle curve softens the dialogue between architecture and landscape
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Above From above, the landscaped composition reveals a fluid connection between levels
Above A courtyard carved into the basement draws daylight and breezes deep into the home, while tall trees, shrubbery and water add a lush, tropical vitality
From above, the landscaped composition reveals a fluid connection between levels
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A Narrative Unfolds
A colonnade encircles this oasis, where a grand spiral staircase winds up to the ground level, approaching a C-shaped block clad in travertine like an abstract mountain.
“Above ground, [the house] is conceived as a floating stone volume—at once fortress-like and enigmatic, heavy in presence, yet raised lightly on slender columns and veiled with porous timber screens,” Tan comments. The contrast of a stone body and metal screens presents another duality that makes the house a “stronghold—protective and impenetrable from the outside, yet refined and delicate upon closer encounter”, he adds.
Above The Good Class Bungalow appears to rise from incisions in the landscape, where architecture and nature intertwine seamlessly
Above The landscaped basement by Salad Dressing integrates light, water and greenery into the subterranean level
The Good Class Bungalow appears to rise from incisions in the landscape, where architecture and nature intertwine seamlessly
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Above The circular opening framing the landscaped basement lends the space the ambience of an open-air art gallery
The circular opening framing the landscaped basement lends the space the ambience of an open-air art gallery
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In the screen, the design team cut semi-circular forms. On the ground, circular pathways like the lingering marks of water droplets echo the rotund forms of the spiral staircase, skylights and ceilings of the courtyards. Senior architect Yong Mien Huei says this aspect of duality balances order and emotion within the architecture.
“Orthogonal forms express clarity, structure and precision; they ground the house on its plateau, providing legibility and a rational framework for living. Curved forms, on the other hand, soften this rigidity, introducing movement, fluidity and a sense of embrace.”
Above A sequence of circular stepping stones leads across the courtyard to a sculptural spiral staircase, embodying the house’s play of compression and release, shadow and light
A sequence of circular stepping stones leads across the courtyard to a sculptural spiral staircase, embodying the house’s play of compression and release, shadow and light
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These organic forms allude to nature’s works. “Like the carving of a cave or the flow of water; these curved elements break the monotony of straight lines and generate spaces that feel more organic and connected to nature,” Yong explains. Compared to straight lines, they “heighten the sensory experience; light washes across them differently and the body feels drawn to move through them rather than simply occupy them.”
Above The reflecting pool amplifies the visual impact of the expertly lit spiral staircase, doubling its sculptural presence
The reflecting pool amplifies the visual impact of the expertly lit spiral staircase, doubling its sculptural presence
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Above The sinuous spiral staircase winds dramatically upwards
Above A pocket of lush garden and a water feature by Salad Dressing enliven the basement carpark
The sinuous spiral staircase winds dramatically upwards
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Poetic Articulation
These devices create poetry in space, elevating architecture to art, and shelter to dwelling. Another form of duality is in the spatial dynamics. “The entry begins in compression, through the cave-like passageway…this tight, shadowed threshold heightens anticipation. Inside, visitors are released into [an experience of] ‘expansion’,” says Yong.
It is palpable that every step has been choreographed. Tan describes sequences of “compression and release, moving from shadow to light, from enclosure to openness, to evoke intimacy, wonder, and ultimately, a sense of freedom”.
Above A dramatic view from the dining area, anchored by a circular dining table that echoes the home’s recurring curves
Above This expansive outdoor area features a marble bar counter, woven dining set and plush lounge seating, opening to the greenery and poolside views
A dramatic view from the dining area, anchored by a circular dining table that echoes the home’s recurring curves
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Above The living room includes a Man of Parts Rua Ipanema armchair, Cassina Woodline chairs, Giorgetti Mia & Woody tables, an Edra Standard sofa and a custom crystal pendant from Preciosa
The living room includes a Man of Parts Rua Ipanema armchair, Cassina Woodline chairs, Giorgetti Mia & Woody tables, an Edra Standard sofa and a custom crystal pendant from Preciosa
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Above An architectural detail of the column reveals the precision and material finesse that define the Good Class Bungalow’s design language
Above A serene architectural corner anchored by a sculptural stool and an artwork
An architectural detail of the column reveals the precision and material finesse that define the Good Class Bungalow’s design language
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The material choice was also given careful deliberation. Above ground, travertine “conveys authority and mass”, lightened by the timber-clad columns it rests on. “Below ground, volcanic basalt and granite suggest gravity, but daylight, water and planting transform the cavern into a sanctuary that feels alive and connected to nature,” says Yong.
Above A dramatic view from the dining area, anchored by a circular dining table that echoes the home’s recurring curves
Above A close-up of the grid-like Preciosa lighting in the Good Class Bungalow’s living–dining area, which glows like a constellation when viewed from afar in the evening
A dramatic view from the dining area, anchored by a circular dining table that echoes the home’s recurring curves
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Above An evening view of the Good Class Bungalow’s open living and dining area, unified by a custom lighting installation from Preciosa
An evening view of the Good Class Bungalow’s open living and dining area, unified by a custom lighting installation from Preciosa
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These attributes, guided by a generous spirit, make the house a luxurious one. Luxury is also embodied in the basement glass-encased entertainment lounge where the owner, a car enthusiast, can admire his collection. The spiral staircase in the basement ties this communal space with the living room on the ground storey to create a two-storey social heart, enlivened by nature all around.
Above A curving conversation pit forms a cosy, marble-clad private theatre, anchored by a leather-upholstered sofa
A curving conversation pit forms a cosy, marble-clad private theatre, anchored by a leather-upholstered sofa
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Above The handsomely appointed bar, clad in dark marble, exudes a sense of understated luxury
Above One corner of the basement features a marble-clad bar, a glass-base pool table, and a glazed, climate-controlled wine cellar
The handsomely appointed bar, clad in dark marble, exudes a sense of understated luxury
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Balancing the Scales
These emotive spaces mitigate a gargantuan footprint. The basement alone spans almost 20,000 sq ft and, aside from the entertainment lounge and garage, contains the gym and service areas. Of course, it does not feel like a basement due to the large courtyard that flushes light downwards.
Above One of the children’s bedrooms features a Baxter Clara bed that evokes a modern twist of a Japanese room
One of the children’s bedrooms features a Baxter Clara bed that evokes a modern twist of a Japanese room
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Above This study corner is anchored by a Poltrona Frau Trust office drawer unit and Ginger swivel chair, and complemented by the &Tradition Flowerpot VP3 lamp and Loop No.12 sculpture in Ocean by Panisa Objects
Above This bedside vignette reveals a well-curated material palette that evokes rest and comfort
This study corner is anchored by a Poltrona Frau Trust office drawer unit and Ginger swivel chair, and complemented by the &Tradition Flowerpot VP3 lamp and Loop No.12 sculpture in Ocean by Panisa Objects
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“Our goal was to ensure that every space—both above and below ground—receives natural light and ventilation so the house can be lived in comfortably and sustainably throughout the day,” says Tan.
Above This marble-clad bathroom features a softly lit wall niche
Above A well-lit double vanity with subtle curves sets the stage for a serene morning routine
This marble-clad bathroom features a softly lit wall niche
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Thermal comfort is not to be underestimated in the tropics, where harsh sunlight and heat can lead dwellers to rely on mechanical air-conditioning if a house is not designed to breathe passively.
Above This corner bedroom features a screened view of the greenery outside, with a Labubu figure adding personality to its neutral palette
This corner bedroom features a screened view of the greenery outside, with a Labubu figure adding personality to its neutral palette
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Above This bedside vignette reveals Japanese-influenced detailing expressed through its simplicity and material selection
Above In the study, a Roche Bobois Pulp desk and chairs add to the home’s motif of curves, also in this space is a Poltrona Frau Vanity Fair armchair
This bedside vignette reveals Japanese-influenced detailing expressed through its simplicity and material selection
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Above The iconic B&B Italia UP5 and 6 sofa and ottoman stand in the foreground of the stunning view from this balcony
The iconic B&B Italia UP5 and 6 sofa and ottoman stand in the foreground of the stunning view from this balcony
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Massoneong came on board to detail the interiors to be exciting in the public areas, and calm in the private ones. Not least is a lovingly designed landscape by Salad Dressing Landscape Architects that combines nature and building in symbiosis, resulting in a holistic home that both captures and eludes a sense of time.
Above The ultra-stylish walk-in wardrobe features dark wood and leather finishes that evoke a luxury fashion boutique while Louis Vuitton trunks are arranged almost as sculptures
The ultra-stylish walk-in wardrobe features dark wood and leather finishes that evoke a luxury fashion boutique while Louis Vuitton trunks are arranged almost as sculptures
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Above Shadow play falls upon the staircase, a fleeting moment of stillness and light
Above As dusk falls, light weaves through the screened façade, painting the interior with a poetic play of shadows
Shadow play falls upon the staircase, a fleeting moment of stillness and light
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Above From the roof garden, the sunset unfolds over a canopy of trees—a tranquil finale to the day
From the roof garden, the sunset unfolds over a canopy of trees—a tranquil finale to the day
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Credits
Photography: Finbarr Fallon
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