Cover A view of the Metallicus House at night (Photography: Fabian Ong)

K2LD Architects designs a Good Class Bungalow in Singapore with a bronze skin that both protects and opens the interior to its surrounding environment

The Metallicus by K2LD Architects is an elegant house in Singapore, designed for a family with two young children; come nightfall, it presents itself to the street as a glowing box. Wrapped with aluminum screens in a bronze finish, these strategically-placed and operable panels are both weather and privacy shield to the interiors, and give the facade of this Good Class Bungalow a dynamic personality.   

“Apart from the functional requirements, the owner made known his aspiration to have a house that is unique and timeless, with clean geometry and that provides privacy without compromising natural light and ventilation,” shares Ben Teng, director at the Singapore-based firm that is known for its eloquent and well-detailed residential architecture. 

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Above A view of The Metallicus, a house designed by K2LD Architects, as seen from the entrance

The screens provide privacy; a particularly important feature as the 10,387 sq ft property is flanked by neighbours on both sides and faces a house across the street. The rear of the house is a different story, however. It opens to an elevated panoramic view of the landscaped garden. Naturally, the main spaces of the home are focused on this prospect.

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Above The entrance lobby of the house

“The pre-entry experience is edged by a water feature and a curated landscape up to the front door, with a generous granite foyer enhancing the sense of arrival. Upon entry into the house, one is greeted by an expansive see-through glazed wine cellar, revealing very little about the interior and view beyond,” Teng shares. 

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Above The spiral staircase is the focal point of the spacious living room

One side of the entrance lobby leads to a high-volume living area where the full impact of the cinematic views unfurls. A sculptural spiral staircase connecting the first storey to the upper levels accentuates the tall space.

A circular skylight at the top projects a spot of sunlight that moves across the adjacent spaces like a sundial, giving clue to the time of day.  

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Above The glamorous dining room connects offers a view of the spiral staircase
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Above The circular skylight appears almost like a sundial in the house

The house is tailor-made for entertainment. “The first storey can be enjoyed as one generous space or arranged into more private spaces for various functions,” says Teng.

He employed Ariston White marble for the flooring of the entire first storey such that one space segues to the other; this is enhanced by the use of large full-height glass doors, and the result is a more open feel. Spaces on the first storey connect to either the sheltered swimming pool patio or directly onto the swimming pool, which becomes a brilliant sheet of water later in the day under the afternoon light.

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Photo 1 of 2 The dining room looks out to calming views of the landscaped garden
Photo 2 of 2 The full-height wine cellar provides ample space to store treasured bottles

There are four storeys overall, with the basement and the first storey housing the social spaces of the abode. While the design provides drama, the materials convey a sense of rest and respite. “The main materials were chosen to express simplicity and restraint while making the home comfortable and cosy,” Teng explains.

Aside from the light-coloured Ariston White marble flooring, large-format engineered Tundra marble tiles as well as walnut timber laminate wall panels augment the home’s tactility. “These appear almost soft and textured in contrast to the metallic aluminium screen, and evoke a timeless yet contemporary ambience,” Teng adds.   

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Photo 1 of 2 The neutral scheme and the calming mix of textures create a cocooning environment in this bedroom
Photo 2 of 2 The round mirrors echo the curvy form of the freestanding bathtub

Private spaces such as the bedrooms are housed in the second storey and attic. “Each bedroom has its own set of outdoor spaces in the form of a balcony or open terrace,” Teng adds, on creating a tropical house that encourages easy access to outdoor living.  

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Above The Metallicus features aluminium screens that are among its most distinctive features
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Above Bronze screens within the interior reference the metallic facade of the house

The architecture of The Metallicus—an apt name given to the house—also embodies the firm’s ethos well. “We believe that design emerges from an intensive dialogue with our clients, and a sensitive study of the site and the brief. We strive to achieve design solutions in line with current developments in architectural technologies and expression while capturing space and light in tangible form to give meaning to architecture,” says Teng.    

A separate staircase connects the basement to the first storey. “Both this staircase and the lift that serves all levels have been planned to be away from the main living and dining spaces to minimise disruption of foot traffic, as well as to maintain the sculptural form of the spiral staircase,” Teng highlights.

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Above The glass-and-metal railings give these steps a sense of lightness

Unlike firms that rely on certain styles or looks, the firm is adamant that appearance results from a confluence of deeper decisions rather than being trend-based. “Beauty and spatial freedom is born out of the intensive process of creation and continuous refinement of ideas and structure intimately connected to space, function and context,” Teng reiterates.

Within its portfolio, there are houses with soaring butterfly roofs and boxes clad in copper whose patina is mutated by time. The sensitive architecture that results reflects an assiduous effort in creating a sense of place.

“The senses mould the intricate relationship between time, light, and materials to allow spatial freedom that is beautiful in its myriad expressions. Taming these exciting relationships materialises in [memorable] architectural experiences,” shares Teng.   

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Above The rugged textures stand in contrast to the sleek metal screens and shelves in the powder room
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Above A close-up of the detailing in the powder room

Credits

Photography  

Fabian Ong

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