Cover Gently sweeping curves give the exterior of this house by Mark 12 Architects an almost organic character
Gently sweeping curves give the exterior of this house by Mark 12 Architects an almost organic character
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Mark 12 Architects shape a contemporary house where everyday life converges around a breathing core below ground
In the east of Singapore, a three-storey detached house by Mark 12 Architects emerges from an initial concern over a dark basement, unfolding into a home shaped by light, greenery and measured detail. It does not chase spectacle, but arrives at it through a careful calibration of light, volume and movement.
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Completed in 2026 after three years, the 8,400 sq ft project integrates architecture and interiors as one. Designers Clement Koh, Varian Chang and Fera Tandiawan worked closely on the house, guided by a unified approach: “We treat architecture and interior design as one unified practice, integrated with landscaping and lighting design, shaping spaces that respond naturally to a family’s rhythms, needs and surroundings.”
Above The dining area looks out to the pool
Above LED strip lighting gently illuminates this staircase
The dining area looks out to the pool
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That thinking plays out in a continuous spatial narrative where curves soften scale, and transitions feel deliberate. The brief called for a contemporary home with a sense of “quiet luxury”, expressed through warm, open spaces and a restrained material palette. The most decisive move, however, happens below ground.
A basement that breathes
Above The guest bedroom in the basement looks out to a courtyard
The guest bedroom in the basement looks out to a courtyard
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Basements in Singapore are often treated as purely functional. Here, the team rethinks that assumption. “We were initially concerned about the potential for a “closed-in” feeling in the basement,” the team noted. The programme was dense, combining entertainment, fitness, a guest room and service spaces within one level.
“We addressed this by introducing a basement courtyard, which acts as a ‘light well’ that brings in natural ventilation, ample daylighting and lush greenery, effectively turning the subterranean space into a vibrant heart of the home.”
Above Acrylic panels offer an interesting view of the sunken pool from the home entertainment centre and gym in the basement
Acrylic panels offer an interesting view of the sunken pool from the home entertainment centre and gym in the basement
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Daylight filters down through planting, animating surfaces that would otherwise sit in shadow. Air moves freely, and the basement feels grounded rather than buried. Acrylic panels in the entertainment room and gym frame views into the swimming pool above, where refracted light casts shifting patterns below. “This admits daylight and creates a unique experience within the basement.”
For the team, this became the project’s emotional core. “Another rewarding aspect was seeing the basement courtyard come to life, transformed into one of the most inviting areas of the home.” It is a rare instance where the most memorable space sits furthest from the sky.
Movement as experience
Above A peek at the corridor leading to the heated lap pool
A peek at the corridor leading to the heated lap pool
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Above ground, the house settles into a different rhythm. The living room anchors the first level as an expansive open-plan space, finished in natural stone and light-toned marble. Circulation areas, described as “gallery corridors”, are treated as curated passages. “Rather than treating them as mere thoroughfares, we designed them as curated experiences [...] to showcase art collections by the owner.”
Above One of the six bedrooms in this house
One of the six bedrooms in this house
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Lighting is handled with precision. LED strips beneath stair treads and along skirting provide a low, continuous glow, while recessed downlights and sculptural sconces build a layered ambience that shifts subtly across spaces.
Craft and detail
Above Custom joinery and carpentry feature prominently throughout the house, as evident in this study
Custom joinery and carpentry feature prominently throughout the house, as evident in this study
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Detailing is consistent and controlled. Custom joinery runs throughout, from full-height wardrobes to display shelving and a floating vanity. Materials remain restrained: warm oak timber floors above, textured granite defining the exterior. The façade is marked by “gently sweeping curved edges” that lend a soft, organic character without overwhelming the streetscape. Privacy is achieved through layering rather than enclosure, with boundary walls and controlled openings balancing seclusion with light and air.
Above The floating vanity in this master bathroom was custom created for the owner
The floating vanity in this master bathroom was custom created for the owner
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For the team, the process mattered as much as the outcome. “The most enjoyable aspect was the collaborative process of translating the client’s vision into a ‘quiet luxury’ sanctuary.”
It is a sentiment borne out in the details, where each decision shapes how the house is experienced. What emerges is a home defined not by a single gesture, but by accumulation: a courtyard that brings the underground to life, corridors that invite pause, and light handled with care. At its centre, a garden below ground quietly transforms everything above it.
Mark 12 Architects
Above Mark 12 Architects founder Clement Koh
Mark 12 Architects founder Clement Koh
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Mark 12 Architects is a boutique architectural and interior design firm that specialises in bespoke luxury residential projects. Founded in 2016 by Clement Koh, the firm seeks the quiet intersection of purpose and beauty, creating site-sensitive residences that respond empathetically to nature, place, and climate.
Mark 12 Architects, 80 Changi Rd, #03-11 Centropod, Tel: 6909 5774, mark12.sg
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