Cover Forgetting Time House by Wallflower Architects. Photography by Wallflower Architecture + Design and Marc Tan Shengyi
Forgetting Time House by Wallflower Architects. Photography by Wallflower Architecture + Design and Marc Tan Shengyi
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Wallflower Architecture + Design has designed a Singapore house as a sanctuary for the enhanced enjoyment of nature and as an ode to mindful living
“What did you do as a child that created timelessness that made you forget time? There lies the myth to live by,” wrote American author Joseph Campbell. These words have inspired the name of this 14,000 sq ft house in Singapore designed by Wallflower Architecture + Design.
It has been christened “Forgetting Time House”, as an ode to mindful living and the slow life, and encourages its inhabitants to take the time to enjoy the visceral aspects of living amid the hustle and bustle of the city. The architecture aims to create a sanctuary that tries to capture all the qualities that help one to slow down and appreciate the different sensorial aspects of living, such as relaxing by the garden and pool, sitting under a breezy verandah while shaded by the warm sun without a care for time’s passing.
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Ample landscaping creates a soothing atmosphere at the Forgetting Time House
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The courtyard house features an inward-facing form that shields views of the interiors from the street. The main spaces are all open to the courtyard through full-height glass doors that can slide open to create a harmonious union with sun, shadow, breeze, and rain.
The swimming pool located here is both a visual and thermal respite. Ample landscaping, punctuated by the sculptural presence of Frangipani trees across the different levels, brings about a sense of tranquillity that biophilic architecture naturally evokes.
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The tactile material mix takes into consideration wear-and-tear caused by the two pet dogs in the home
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Timber sunscreens and travertine stone shape a restful backdrop to this green spectacle, while an assortment of textures underfoot—stone, pebblewash and grass—slows the pace and brings awareness to pathways as one moves between the indoor areas to the outdoor spaces. Meanwhile, the street-fronting volumes of the house are understated and precise; a timber-trellised canopy on the first storey and simple travertine frames infilled with wide timber brise soleil.
“The [concept] and form, with regard to the relationship to the street view, is one of the primary planning considerations. Situated in a cul-de-sac, the house enjoys a 31m-wide frontage. The visual approach towards the house is controlled from left to right with a long, horizontal plane stretching across the entire carport to accentuate the linear frontage, and the second-storey block placed at the far end to anchor the edge of the property,” describes Robin Tan, founder of Wallflower Architecture + Design.
The greenery forms a lush backdrop in the living area
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Within the house, the vertical transitions are carefully orchestrated to bring about an awareness of the surroundings as one moves from one level to the next.
“The owner’s two dogs tend to leave unsightly scratch marks on the timber treads in their previous house so for practicality, they suggested having stone treads here. Thus, for the external staircase, we layered granite on steel, and for the internal staircase, travertine is coupled with timber soffits for a softer aesthetic,” Tan elaborates on the materiality.
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The staircase looks out to the flourishing garden
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Open risers for both staircases enhance visual transparency and give a sense of lightness in spite of the robust materials. The stairwell is also designed as a future art gallery. “We detailed a groove for track lights to be integrated into the soffit of the staircase stringer so that that paintings can be well illuminated anywhere they are placed along the staircase,” Tan highlights.
Many other aspects of the house’s design harkens back to the idea of forgetting time. This includes the powder room, where a layering of materials brings about a ritualistic approach. Here, the material mix features rough-textured stone, a timber portal, and marble with sinewy veins.
A view of the house at night
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“We projected a ‘wall frame’ to accentuate the suspended vanity counter. To complement the forest theme, we selected a tap in the shape of a water droplet hanging from a stem and a lily-pod wash basin from the Gessi Goccia series,” Tan shares. Subtle touches such as this bring about a cohesive and well-thought-out dwelling, as well as attract one to linger in spaces in the forgetting of time.
Credits
Photography: Wallflower Architecture + Design and Marc Tan Shengyi
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