Cover The stone rubblework that serves as the base of the house was chosen to evoke the architectural design of Theatre by the Lake, a performing arts venue in England. All Photography: Finbarr Fallon

This elegant house in Singapore takes a cue from traditional Asian architecture to create a remarkable home that exudes poise and an enviable sense of serenity

The roof has always been a distinctive feature of traditional Asian architecture, be it the elegant courtyard houses in Suzhou or the imposing yosemune roofs of Japanese temples. In this day and age, where modern terraces and solar panels are the order of the day, roof design often takes a backseat.

Set against this cultural backdrop of practicality, the roof of this 6,200 sq ft house in Singapore is a rare and visually arresting example that borrows the silhouettes of classical Asian traditions and reinvents them with a unique, modern flourish. This ‘crowning’ achievement, and the rest of the bungalow, is the culmination of a partnership between its owners, a banker and an accountant with two daughters, and EHKA Studio, which provided architectural and interior design services.

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Above The sloping roof is inspired by the form of the Chinese character ren (which means human)
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Above The timber cladding on the underside of the roof can be seen in the attic and the double-volume atrium

Director Hsu Hsia Pin, who spent the early years of his career at Kerry Hill Architects, builds on the lessons he learned at the award-winning practice he founded with his wife, Eunice Khoo. “Kerry Hill was focused on good spatial quality—light, proportion and comfort,” says Hsu, commenting the work of Hill, the late founder of Kerry Hill Architects. These values come to the fore in this house, where space itself is wielded as a luxury. Influenced by Chinese culture, the husband engaged a feng shui master to guide the early stages of the project from which arose the concept of ren yuan, meaning “affinity with people” in Chinese. EHKA Studio translated this idea into two centrally located communal areas on the first and second floors to foster social interaction.

The sloping form of the Chinese character, ren, also served as the inspiration for the home’s sweeping roof. Both daughters had initial reservations about its unconventional design. “After the roof was built, my daughters grew to appreciate it,” says the wife. “My husband and I like the design as it is unique and meaningful. We wanted this house to be a place where family and friends gather often.”

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Photo 1 of 2 An elegant suite of furnishings in neutral tones creates a restful mood in the living room
Photo 2 of 2 A cantilevered staircase adds to the light, airy feel of the living area

From the exterior, the building projects a strong presence with its graceful roof floating above a box that sits atop a heavy stone base. The homeowners specially selected the stones used for the rubblework on the ground floor. “We were on holiday in the Lake District of England when we came across the Theatre by the Lake [a lakeside cultural venue in Cumbria]. While we were inspired by the design of the stone walls, we went for lighter-coloured stones for our house.” 

Upon entering the front door, one is greeted by a spacious hallway and living room, the first of the home’s two communal areas. The voluminous space conveys generous hospitality. Daylight and fresh air stream in from the sliding doors that open out to the adjacent pool, while a low-lying Poliform Mondrian sofa by Jean-Marie Massaud invites you to sit and soak in this oasis of calm. “This is my favourite part of the house,” declares the wife.

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Photo 1 of 2 Featuring furnishings from Poliform, the dining room looks out to peaceful views of the pool, and features an atmospheric oil painting by Dang Van Quynh that creates visual interest
Photo 2 of 2 Handleless Miele appliances and clean-lined cabinetry contribute to the sleek look of the kitchen

A rugged stone wall punctuates the far end of the hallway and separates the public and ancillary areas of the house. The dining room, located to the right of the stone wall, accommodates a 10-seater marble-topped dining table, also from Poliform—its lustrous surface of snow and smoke contrasts with a dark and brooding scene in an oil painting by Dang Van Quynh that hangs at the foot of the table. The atmosphere here is bright and airy.

A surprise awaits as you climb the stairs and arrive at the second storey. The second communal area, which is double-volume in height, offers a stunning view of the underside of the majestic roof, dressed in timber and set aglow by uplighting. The room’s walls take on a sculptural character and are filleted at one corner to form a sitting area that features two Chinese paintings of gibbons by local pioneer artist Chen Wen Hsi.

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Photo 1 of 3 The master suite is located in the attic, where the sloping design of the roof can be admired
Photo 2 of 3 These metal screens filter the daylight that enters the home, creating enchanting shadow play throughout the day
Photo 3 of 3 The spacious master bathroom is handsomely clad in marble and light wood

The second-storey bedrooms branch off from this central space, their doors detailed as inconspicuous frameless panels hung on concealed hinges to avoid muddying the spatial primacy of the communal area.

All the way up the stairs and tucked beneath the roof is the attic, which offers all the experiential novelty one would expect with its varying ceiling height and acoustic privacy. EHKA Studio tunes it up a notch by replacing an opaque wall with full-height glazing to create a view that overlooks the double-volume communal area. Here, the husband, who collects model aeroplanes, can tinker around in his workshop while maintaining a visual link to the rest of the household.

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Photo 1 of 2 Glass walls in the corridor help to create a brightly lit space that overlooks the double-volume atrium
Photo 2 of 2 Another view of the home

Residential architecture is as much a reflection of a home’s occupants as it is of the architect who turns their dreams into reality. This house is a highly personal project steeped in meaning and memory. It is also a fine example of EHKA Studio’s architectural approach—bold, inventive, and ahead of the curve.

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Above A twilight view of the pool and outdoor dining area

Credits

Photography  

Finbarr Fallon

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