A Singapore semi-detached concrete home inspired by greenery

The Béton brut concrete structure of the Vista House by Hier Architects is softened by greenery, light, air and views within this Singapore abode

Having stayed in an intermediate terrace house before they moved, Celine Tan and Eugene Wong fully appreciate the abundance of daylight and scenic views that this semi-detached property provides. Wong works in the media industry while Tan runs several bistros and restaurants; they live here with their two teenage sons. Vista House is thus the perfect name for their new abode, as the interior experience is wholly knitted with the outside throughout the plan and section.

“The owners love greenery and didn’t want to reduce the existing side garden, but chose instead to reduce the width of the newly built house slightly in order to maintain the garden’s width,” says Kelvin Lim, the design director leading Hier Architects.

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Above The use of screens references and adapts to the home’s tropical context

The use of screens references and adapts to the home’s tropical context

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The house’s reticent countenance belies the porosity within. It features a base closed off from the street by concrete screens. Above, a floating black volume is covered with timber screens. Further back is a rectilinear form with a mutable countenance of metal screens. While these screens offer privacy from the neighbours close by, they also filter sunlight and allow for comfortable shadows that are important for easy dwelling in this climate.

“Conceptually, the design breaks up the building mass into three volumes in white, black and concrete respectively. They come together to enclose a series of communal spaces, such as the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms,” says Lim. “Air wells and a courtyard are further carved into the three volumes to introduce daylight and ventilation to the spaces within.”

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Above The mix of concrete and black and white finishes forms a striking composition

The mix of concrete and black and white finishes forms a striking composition

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He shares that the side facade receives a fair bit of morning sun, which is why a perforated aluminium screen was added to it. The same screen is deployed at the front to shelter the floor-to-ceiling glass windows and panels. “This screen also adds a layer of privacy for the inhabitants,” Lim explains. Slide-and-fold screens in the study and the master bedroom allow the inhabitants the freedom to determine their level of openness to the environment and to neighbours at different times of the day. A perforated square pattern tie echoes the concept of shifting boxes.

Above A view of the facade from the entrance

Above The perforated aluminium screens of the house

A view of the facade from the entrance

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Good views are a rarity in Singapore’s dense residential neighbourhoods; the typical vista is that of a neighbour across the road. This house is aligned to the garden running the length of the rear neighbour’s property, hence affording it an elongated view of greenery through the gap between the neighbouring houses.

“The house’s main spaces are arranged to exploit this vista, with the most important space—the family room—facing it directly on the second storey, as well as towards this house’s own side garden,” adds Lim.

The double-volume family room shares the rear of the second storey with the guest room. A bridge links it to the boys’ bedrooms at the front of the house. On the first storey, the common areas are linked as one continuous open-plan layout.

Above A view of the sun-kissed courtyard

A view of the sun-kissed courtyard

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“As Celine is from the food and beverage industry, she as well as Eugene are both big on cooking and hosting. The open plan of the living and dining areas as well as the kitchen allows for that,” says Lim. The couple enjoy the entire attic level as their master suite, wrapped around a central courtyard in which the sculptural form of a frangipani tree acts as a counterpoint to the orthogonal architecture. “Open on three sides via full-height glass doors, the courtyard distributes daylight to these spaces,” Lim highlights.

Above A large chandelier draws attention to the soaring height of the ceiling in the open-plan dining room and dry kitchen

Above The culinary space is the heart of the home for the occupants, who love to entertain

A large chandelier draws attention to the soaring height of the ceiling in the open-plan dining room and dry kitchen

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The staircase arrives at a lounge and TV area, which is joined to the sleeping zone and study. After a turn, some steps up and around the courtyard, one arrives at the master bathroom and walk-in wardrobe. Adjacent to a large terrace, the bathroom features a resort- like ambience. To perpetuate this sense of openness, Lim sited components such as the washbasin, shower and toilet separately, albeit in close proximity.

Above This desk area maximises the use of the space next to the central courtyard

Above A reflective pendant lamp acts as a focal point in this bathroom

This desk area maximises the use of the space next to the central courtyard

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“The enclosed toilet and shower take the form of a glass-enclosed island in the middle of the space, while the walk-in wardrobe closes the circulation loop on the right flank. Framed on one side by the courtyard and the other by a row of planters behind the washbasin counter, the open bathroom is surrounded by lush greenery,” Lim points out. Off-form concrete, aluminium strips and steel on both the interior and exterior offer a masculine reading of the house.

“The owner loves the calm austerity of off-form concrete, which is the main palette for the entire attic. To give it a more contemporary feel, it is paired with black doors and carpentry. “The cantilevered staircase is also finished in black mesh,” says Lim.

Above The second- storey lounge looks out to verdant views

The second- storey lounge looks out to verdant views

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Above Another view of the study on the ground floor

Another view of the study on the ground floor

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The best review of the architecture came after the inhabitants had lived in the home for a while. “They discovered that the porosity of the double-volume dining area and dry kitchen allows for unexpected sightlines through the house. For example, lying on the sofa in the living room, one can see the foliage of the mature trees at the rear through the family room,” Lim shares. This permeability also augments the sounds of the family throughout the house as they go about their daily activities. Such interaction and connection make this an intimate family home its inhabitants have invariably fallen in love with.