“The layout is intentionally clear and simple. The full length of the ground level features an open-plan living, dining and kitchen in a space with a tall volume. Full-height sliding glass panels enable the whole space to open out across its length to the side garden, creating a seamless connection to the garden and imbuing a sense of spaciousness and lightness [to the spaces],” says Goh.

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The landscaping is extremely important to the internal atmosphere, he adds. “It extends the interior space [outward], and provides a cooling and calming effect. It also serves as a green filter by providing a degree of privacy from the street,” he describes. Creepers draping down planters positioned along the perimeter of the roof terrace also help to soften the roughness of the béton brut—the French phrase used by architects to describe raw concrete. 

The uncommon materiality helps to give the house a unique character. “Right from the start, the clients were receptive to the expression of raw concrete,” says Goh. This naturalness is enhanced with micro cement flooring, off-form concrete on the ceilings, the external facade’s stuccowork and the use of black steel for detailing. “The dark-coloured facade was to complement the black steel. It was initially lighter, but the clients gave feedback that it was ‘not black enough’,” muses Goh. 

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He shares that the layout was carefully thought out to cater to effective multigenerational living. “Family spaces are located on various floors to provide for a variety of communal spaces, such as the living and dining areas on the first storey, a family-and-play room on the third storey, and the study that can also function as a gathering space,” Goh says.

He adds that a clear and open plan throughout was important to avoid complex half-levels and long corridors for the grandmother to navigate. The lift also made it convenient for the grandmother to access all floors easily.

Painted white, a spiral staircase twirling up the house at the entrance is a key feature in the mostly dark-toned spaces. “The self-supporting spiral steel staircase was designed as a counterpoint to the simplicity and linearity of the whole house. Highly sculptural, it is naturally lit with a circular skylight above,” describes Goh.

Each house designed by Farm is unique, he adds, to avoid clichéd solutions for their clients. “At Farm, we like our house designs to be an expression of the owners living in them. This changes with every new client and every site’s little quirks. We are happy to discover this together with them and [tailor-make] joyful living spaces for them.”  

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