Cover Set beneath the Sentosa Cove bungalow’s five-metre MET cantilever, the family lounge features a Wave coffee table and Moon armchairs by Giulio Marelli, supplied by Xtra Designs, against a Calacatta Vagli Viola marble feature wall by Kstone
Set beneath the Sentosa Cove bungalow’s five-metre MET cantilever, the family lounge features a Wave coffee table and Moon armchairs by Giulio Marelli, supplied by Xtra Designs, against a Calacatta Vagli Viola marble feature wall by Kstone
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Singapore’s first landed home built with structural Mass Engineered Timber (MET), this Sentosa Cove bungalow by Type0 Architecture lifts a wooden pavilion above a stone plinth to reconcile the public seafront with the privacy of retreat
Often hailed as the pinnacle of seafront residential properties in Singapore, Sentosa Cove comes with its own set of challenges. On the flip side of blue horizons and fresh sea air are bleaching sunlight, salt-laden winds and a public boardwalk that brings the gaze of passers-by uncomfortably close to domestic life. The plot of this home, overlooking Pulau Tekukor and St John’s Island, and flanked by a green linkway, held a relatively new two-storey bungalow with an attic.
Yet, despite its expansive glazing towards the sea, the existing bungalow had already suffered visible deterioration from the harsh coastal climate. More critically to the owners, its openness compromised the sense of refuge that they sought. Hence the decision to go with a new build.
In case you missed it: Home tour: inside a modern-luxury duplex penthouse in Sentosa Cove
Above The oceanfront elevation of Plinth House, a Sentosa Cove bungalow by Type0 Architecture and Singapore’s first landed residence to employ Mass Engineered Timber (MET), is conceived as a timber pavilion set atop a stone plinth
The oceanfront elevation of Plinth House, a Sentosa Cove bungalow by Type0 Architecture and Singapore’s first landed residence to employ Mass Engineered Timber (MET), is conceived as a timber pavilion set atop a stone plinth
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Engaged for the task was Type0 Architecture, led by founder Pan Yi Cheng, a returning architect for the homeowner. “Rather than rely on screens or layered facades to address the dilemma, the architects reconsidered the fundamental organisation of the seafront house,” says Pan. The solution lay in a reordering of space, recalibrating the relationship between the ground, horizon, and domestic life.
Above From the street, the Sentosa Cove bungalow presents its stone plinth base, shielding the private levels from passers-by
From the street, the Sentosa Cove bungalow presents its stone plinth base, shielding the private levels from passers-by
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Reverse Order
The 9,820 sq ft house is organised as two distinct strata, or layers, stacked one above the other. “Typically, communal spaces occupy the ground plane, with private rooms above,” Pan explains. “Here, that order is deliberately reversed.”
The ground floor is conceived as a stone plinth, heavy and protective, clad in textured Ceppo di Gré stone inspired by Sentosa Cove’s own shoreline, where reclaimed land meets the sea in fields of rock that begin jagged and are gradually sanded smooth by seawater over time.
Above A monolithic stone island is a prominent feature in this kitchen
Above A corner with skylight garden of the basement is set up as a painting nook, complete with an easel and space to create
A monolithic stone island is a prominent feature in this kitchen
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Within this base sit the children’s bedrooms, guest rooms and gym, spaces that benefit from direct access to the garden while being solidly shielded from the public gaze of the boardwalk. A basement level beneath accommodates parking and service functions, allowing the ground floor to remain dedicated to the living spaces.
Above Soothing sea views ensure working out in the gym becomes a doubly rewarding endeavour
Soothing sea views ensure working out in the gym becomes a doubly rewarding endeavour
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Above The gym features niche carpentry that neatly houses spa-like amenities
Above Bathroom clad in striking graphic marble, an ode to the home’s “stone plinth” base
The gym features niche carpentry that neatly houses spa-like amenities
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Above this grounded base rises a lighter timber pavilion that accommodates the communal life of the house. The living room, dining area, dry and wet kitchens and family lounge occupy a single elevated plane oriented towards the horizon.
Above The Sentosa Cove bungalow’s guest bedroom includes a study area and an ensuite bathroom
Above Warm timber fittings give the guest bedroom a calm and intimate atmosphere
The Sentosa Cove bungalow’s guest bedroom includes a study area and an ensuite bathroom
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An infinity-edge swimming pool stretches across the front of the pavilion, its water surface visually aligned with the sea beyond. Positioned above the bedrooms and gym below, the pool also transforms the experience of the rooms beneath.
Above An infinity pool on the communal level extends the horizon towards the sea
An infinity pool on the communal level extends the horizon towards the sea
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Above LED strips trace the lines of the carpentry in the boys’ bedroom, a tribute to the coastal topography
Above The son’s bedroom reprises the custom carpentry in a more angular form, while clerestory windows linked to the pool above send rippling light across the room
LED strips trace the lines of the carpentry in the boys’ bedroom, a tribute to the coastal topography
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“Across the ceilings and upper walls, soft rippled patterns of light drift and shimmer throughout the day,” Pan says of the reflections created as sunlight passes through the water above. “Even within the sheltered stone plinth, the presence of water and horizon is subtly felt.”
Openness therefore moves upwards through the section of the house. Elevated above the public boardwalk, the communal level enjoys expansive sea views while maintaining a comfortable distance from the activity below.
Above The daughter’s bedroom features custom carpentry that echoes rocky topography, with drawers that pull out to create seating
Above In the daughter’s bedroom clerestory openingc to the pool casts dancing reflections across the space
The daughter’s bedroom features custom carpentry that echoes rocky topography, with drawers that pull out to create seating
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Above A pink-washed wall and Herman Miller task chair lend a vibrant accent to the daughter’s bedroom
Above The bed is nestled within cove-like carpentry, with stepped drawers that double as storage and pull-out seats
A pink-washed wall and Herman Miller task chair lend a vibrant accent to the daughter’s bedroom
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Plinth and Pavilion
Material and structure reinforce the sectional logic of the house. The lower level is expressed as a dense mineral base, while the levels above are constructed entirely in timber. “The use of MET is both architectural and climatic in intent,” Pan says, referring to the Mass Engineered Timber (MET) system that forms the upper storeys.
Glulam—glued laminated timber—columns and beams support the cross-laminated timber panels used for the floors, walls and roof, allowing the pavilion above the plinth to read as a lighter volume resting on the stone base.
Above Set beneath the timber pavilion’s five-metre cantilever, the family lounge features a Wave coffee table and Moon armchairs by Giulio Marelli, supplied by Xtra Designs, against a Calacatta Vagli Viola marble feature wall by Kstone
Set beneath the timber pavilion’s five-metre cantilever, the family lounge features a Wave coffee table and Moon armchairs by Giulio Marelli, supplied by Xtra Designs, against a Calacatta Vagli Viola marble feature wall by Kstone
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Above The communal level is organised on a nine-grid plan around a central courtyard, with the study and the reclaimed mahogany bench behind it flanked by seating areas
Above An aquarium creates an intriguing and dynamic room divider
The communal level is organised on a nine-grid plan around a central courtyard, with the study and the reclaimed mahogany bench behind it flanked by seating areas
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The timber structure is also adapted to the exposed coastal environment of Sentosa Cove. A large CLT (cross-laminated timber) roof spans the pavilion and projects outwards in deep overhangs of a generous five metres, providing shade from the intense sun while shielding the timber from wind-driven rain.
The thickness of the CLT panels offers substantial thermal insulation, moderating heat gain and allowing the communal spaces to remain naturally ventilated for extended periods. Rather than sealing the house off from its surroundings, the pavilion opens comfortably to sea breezes and views.
Above The exposed MET structure reveals the warmth of pine and spruce glulam, with the dining space and aquarium beyond
The exposed MET structure reveals the warmth of pine and spruce glulam, with the dining space and aquarium beyond
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Design, submission and approvals took 14 months, followed by 25 months of construction. The two timber levels above the plinth were prefabricated off site and assembled once delivered to the project, following DfMA, or Design for Manufacturing and Assembly, principles. “We were able to reduce on-site construction for the two timber storeys from an estimated six months under conventional reinforced concrete methods to about seven weeks,” Pan says.
While the use of structural MET remains costly for a single landed home, Pan believes that with greater economy of scale, standardisation and mass customisation, the technology could become increasingly viable for residential construction beyond individual houses.
Above A mirror-finish Molteni&C cabinet separates the dining and living areas while maintaining the openness of the space
A mirror-finish Molteni&C cabinet separates the dining and living areas while maintaining the openness of the space
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Inward Garden, Open Horizon
At the centre of the plan lies an open courtyard organised within a nine-grid framework. Anchored by an Agathis borneensis or Borneo kauri tree, whose crown rises through the height of the building, the courtyard draws light, air and greenery deep into the stone plinth. Movement around this internal garden reveals shifting views of the tree, sky and textured stone surfaces, creating a calm interior environment despite the activity along the waterfront outside.
Above From the study area’s floating desk, views extend into the courtyard where a Borneo kauri tree rises through the house
From the study area’s floating desk, views extend into the courtyard where a Borneo kauri tree rises through the house
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Materials reinforce this progression. Surfaces gradually refine as one moves inwards and upwards, from sandblasted quartzite to leather-finished Olivio Strato and more expressive marbles such as Calacatta Viola and Patagonia. The planting, conceived by landscape designer This Humid House, centres on coniferous species such as Chinese juniper, Norfolk Island pine and hoop pine, chosen for their sculptural forms and ease of maintenance, while subtly echoing the pine and spruce timbers used as the MET structure.
Above Clerestory windows cast light across the living room, where Poltrona Frau’s Kennedee armchairs and Kyoto table, supplied by Proof Living, are paired with artwork from NaWei Gallery
Above This dining room features a live-edge coffee table and Tatamiza floor seats by Hida Sangyo from the owner’s collection
Clerestory windows cast light across the living room, where Poltrona Frau’s Kennedee armchairs and Kyoto table, supplied by Proof Living, are paired with artwork from NaWei Gallery
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Above The attic level houses a private study with views of both indoors and out
The attic level houses a private study with views of both indoors and out
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As one moves upwards, the atmosphere gradually lightens, the grounded stone base giving way to the warmth of the timber pavilion above. The second level gathers the communal life of the house on a single plane, where the living room, dining area, dry and wet kitchens and family lounge unfold beneath the generous span of the roof overhang.
Framed by deep eaves and the expanse of water from the infinity pool that stretches across the front of the house, these spaces open directly towards the horizon while remaining elevated above the activity along the boardwalk.
Above The master bedroom console conceals a retractable screen for movie nights
Above Mirrored surfaces expand the sense of space and light in the walk-in wardrobe
The master bedroom console conceals a retractable screen for movie nights
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The journey concludes at the attic level, where the master suite forms a retreat above both the communal spaces and the public edge of the boardwalk. The interiors and furnishings throughout the house were curated by Type0 Architecture in collaboration with Panelogue, including a bench carved from a reclaimed African mahogany log, positioned in the family lounge as a sculptural counterpoint to the glulam structure. From this vantage point, views extend outwards to the sea while the canopy of the courtyard tree rises into sight.
“What I am most proud of is how these spatial moments unfold as a sequence of discoveries,” Pan says. “From the shaded threshold to the inward courtyard and finally to the elevated pavilion engaging the horizon, the house reveals itself gradually.”
Above The attic-level master bathroom overlooks the ocean and surrounding greenery
The attic-level master bathroom overlooks the ocean and surrounding greenery
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Above This master bathroom wall is clad in graphic Patagonia marble
Above New American Black marble in leather finish at the opposite end of the master bathroom contrasts with the lighter marble wall
This master bathroom wall is clad in graphic Patagonia marble
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Credits
Photography: Jovian Lim
Topics
Jakarta-born, Bandung-raised and Singapore-based, Asih Jenie trained in Visual Communication Design at Bandung Institute of Technology and Architecture at Parahyangan Catholic University. She brings both rigour and heart to design journalism, infused with a distinct Southeast Asian voice.
As a child, she doodled on the edges of her schoolbooks and never outgrew her fascination with all things well-made and well-told. Her 15-year career spans editorial roles and bylines in Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Australia, across spatial design titles such as Dwell Asia, Cubes, Design Anthology, Habitus Living, and Home & Decor.
After a brief stint in public relations, she returned to publishing in 2023 to lead Tatler Homes Singapore, where she continues to tell stories about how we shape the spaces that shape us.
