The Sustainable Asian House

["trained\t musician\u2014it\t is\t always\t apposite\t to\t use\t musical\t metaphors.\t One could\tsay\tthat\tthe\told\thouse\tis\tlike\ta\tgentle,\tintrospective\tslow\tmovement which\tfollows\ta\tgrand\tand\textroverted\topening\tmovement. But\tin\tsubtle\tways\tthe\ttwo\thouses\thave\ta\tclose\taffinity.\tThe\telegant, free-flowing\t plan\t of\t the\t original\t house\t with\t its\t \u2018verandah\t rooms\u2019\t is paralleled\t in\t the\t new\t house,\t but\t with\t an\t infusion\t of\t natural\t light\t and\t the presence\t of\t the\t awe-inspiring\t double-height\t living\t space\t with\t an\t entire wall\tof\tCarrara\tmarble.\t\u2018This\u2019,\tsays\tTan,\t\u2018is\tthe\tbig\tevent\tof\tthe\thouse\u2019\u2014 the\tfinale\tof\tthe\tsymphony\u2014which\topens\tup\tboth\tto\tthe\tsouth\tand\tto\tthe north\t where\t it\t overlooks\t the\t original\t house.\t Double-height\t sliding\t glass doors\t on\t either\t side\t maximize\t cross-ventilation,\t while\t deep\t overhangs optimize\tsun\tprotection. Apart\tfrom\tthe\t\u2018big\tevent\u2019,\tthe\tnew\thouse\thas\tits\town\tspecial\tintimacy to\treflect\tthat\tof\tthe\toriginal\thouse.\tThe\thouse\tis\tL-shaped\twith\tthe\tcore forming\tthe\tlong\tleg\tand\tthe\tliving\tspace\tthe\tshort\tleg.\tThe\tcore\tconsists of\t a\t long\t circulation\t spine\t expressed\t through\t two\t commanding\t parallel, double-height\t walls.\t Public\t spaces,\t which\t include\t a\t powder\t room-cum- swimming\t pool\t changing\t room\t and\t a\t dry\t kitchen\t and\t dining\t space opening\ton\tto\tthe\t20-metre\tswimming\tpool,\tare\ton\tthe\tground\tfloor\tlevel, along\twith\tthe\tbedrooms\tof\tthe\tclient\u2019s\ttwo\tsons.\tThe\tmaster\tbedroom\tis on\tthe\tupper\tlevel. With\t the\t new\t house,\t the\t architects\u2014the\t design\t team\t included\t T.\t K. Quek\t and\t Tan\t Shen\t Ru\t in\t addition\t to\t Rene\t Tan\u2014set\t out\t to\t create\t a more\t abstract\t form\t of\t \u2018tropical\t modern\u2019.\t The\t aim\t was\t to\t incorporate\t the sun\t protection\t and\t natural\t ventilation\t strategies\t of\t the\t traditional\t tropical house,\t but\t to\t otherwise\t embody\t the\t spirit\t of\t the\t tropical\t house\t rather than\timitate\tits\toutward\tform.","This\tprojection\tclearly\tshows\tthe\torganization\tof\tthe\thouse\tand\thow\tthe\ttwin\tblade\twalls\tact\tlike\ta fault\tline\tbetween\tthe\ttwo\tpavilions. This\tview\tdown\tinto\tthe\tmusic\/sitting\troom\tis\tfrom\ta\tsmall\t\u2018Juliet\u2019\tbalcony.","A\tbox\tframe\textrudes\tfrom\tthe\tmusic\/sitting\troom\tto\tprovide\tprotection\tfrom\tthe\tsun. The\t house\t is\t mainly\t made\t of\t fair-faced\t concrete,\t white\t plaster\t and paint.\t But\t the\t use\t of\t dark-toned\t framing,\t dark\t timber-battened\t screens and\t black\t granite\t and\t walnut\t timber\t floors\t creates\t an\t affinity\t of\t palette with\tthe\told\thouse. The\t circulation\t spine\t is\t a\t kind\t of\t gallery\t enclosed\t on\t both\t levels\t on the\tgarden\tside\tby\ta\twall\tof\tdark-timbered\tpivoting\tlouvred\tpanels.\tYes,\tit","does\t let\t the\t rain\t in,\t but\t as\t Tan\t says,\t \u2018In\t the\t tropics,\t you\t have\t to\t put\t up with\t certain\t inconveniences.\t This\t is\t not\u2019,\t he\t goes\t on,\t \u2018an\t air-conditioned house.\u2019 The\t house\t balances\t entertainment\t areas\t with\t relatively\t modest domestic\t amenities\u2014just\t three\t bedrooms.\t The\t master\t bedroom\t suite\t is, however,\t quite\t grand\t in\t conception,\t with\t oak\t veneer\t wall\t linings\t and\t a huge\t glass-walled\t walk-in\t wardrobe.\t The\t big\t feature\t of\t the\t bathroom\t is the\t free-standing\t bath\t in\t the\t middle\t of\t the\t room\t set\t within\t its\t own\t open pavilion,\twhich\tTan\tdescribes\tas\t\u2018a\tbuilding\twithin\ta\tbuilding\u2019. The\ttotal\tland\tarea\tis\t10,000\tsquare\tfeet\twith\ta\tbuilt-up\tarea\tof\t7,000 square\t feet.\t That\t means\t quite\t a\t lot\t of\t space\t has\t been\t retained\t as garden.\t Given\t that\t the\t brief\t was\t for\t a\t \u2018biggish-looking\t small\t house\u2019,\t the house\tneeded\tto\thave\t\u2018an\tattitude\u2019,\tsays\tTan.\tBut\tthe\tbrief\talso\tcalled\tfor a\t large\t garden\t area.\t To\t maximize\t the\t garden,\t the\t architects\t kept\t it\t flat but\tlifted\tit\ta\tlittle\tto\t\u2018give\tit\tpresence\u2019.\tInstead\tof\tfive\tlittle\tgardens,\tsays Tan,\tthey\tdesigned\tone\tbig\tone.\tOn\tthe\teastern\tside,\tthis\tis\tbasically\tan expanse\tof\tlawn\tleading\tdown\tto\tthe\tliving\tpavilion.\tOn\tthe\twestern\tside, the\t garden\t is\t more\t intimate,\t accommodating\t a\t 20-metre\t swimming\t pool continually\t refreshed\t by\t fountains\t and\t a\t waterfall\t and\t framed\t on\t the other\t side\t of\t the\t lawn\t by\t a\t 20-metre-long\t black\t granite\t wall\t with\t water coursing\tdown\tits\ttextured\tsurface.","The\t galleria\t leads\t from\t the\t entry\t and\t acts\t a\t spine\t for\t a\t series\t of\t entertainment\t rooms\t and bedrooms,\tall\tfacing\ton\tto\tthe\tpool. Ground\tfloor\tplan. The\tview\tfrom\tthe\tgalleria\tinto\tan\tentertainment\troom\twith\tits\town\tdry\tkitchen\tand\tbar. Reconciling\tprivacy\twith\tconnection\tto\tthe\toutside,\tmarrying\tone\tway of\t life\t (in\t the\t original\t house)\t with\t another\t (in\t the\t new\t house),\t and","maximizing\t access\t to\t natural\t light\t and\t natural\t ventilation\t make\t this house\tsustainable\tin\tmore\tthan\tone\tsense\tof\tthe\tword. Looking\tfrom\tthe\tentertainment\troom\tto\tthe\tpool. The\tside\tgarden\tis\ta\tseries\tof\tplanes\u2014deck,\tpool,\tlawn\tand\tblack\tgranite\twater\twall.","A\twilderness\tof\tmirrors\treveals\tthe\topulent\t\u2018bath\thouse\u2019\tand\tbathroom\toff\tthe\tmaster\tbedroom. The\tbathrooms\tand\tpowder\trooms\texpress\ta\tluxury\twhich\tis\tonly\thinted\tat\tin\tthe\tmore\trestrained public\tareas\tof\tthe\thouse.","The\tmaster\tbedroom\u2019s\tinterior\ttimber\tfinishes\tcomplement\tthe\tdark-stained\tlouvre\tdoors\tthat\tform a\t\u2018verandah\troom\u2019\tand\tallow\tnatural\tventilation\twithout\tcompromising\tprivacy.","The\t house\t responds\t to\t the\t dramatic\t topography\t of\t a\t site\t which\t the\t architect\t saw\t as\t more\t of\t an opportunity\tthan\ta\tchallenge.","TING\tHOUSE KUALA\tLUMPUR,\tMALAYSIA\tWOOI ARCHITECT Plan\tof\tthe\tground\tfloor,\tincluding\tthe\tmain\tliving\tarea.","The\t curved\t form\t of\t the\t house\t wraps\t a\t protective\t arm\t around\t part\t of\t the\t outdoor\t entertainment deck. \u2018The\t idea\t behind\t the\t Ting\t House\t is\t to\t renew\t a\t sense\t of\t wonder\t in\t the familiarity\tof\tliving\tin\tan\tequatorial\tzone\tby\tjudicious\tframing\tand\tlimiting the\t view,\t light,\t shadow,\t breeze,\t sky\t and\t surroundings.\t Working\t with\t the curvaceous\t contour\t and\t the\t steep\t sloping\t site\t accentuates\t the\t spatial experience\t as\t one\t moves\t about\t the\t space\t vertically\t and\t horizontally.\u2019\u2014 Lok\tKuang\tWooi This\t house\t is\t part\t of\t a\t gated\t community\t located\t in\t a\t former\t rubber plantation.\t The\t hilly\t topography\t gives\t the\t house\t a\t sense\t of\t privacy\t and exclusivity,\twhile\talso\toffering\tsome\tsplendid\tpanoramas. The\t clients\t are\t a\t couple\t with\t two\t grown-up\t children\t who\t had previously\t lived\t in\t semi-detached\t and\t terrace\t houses\t and\t now\t wanted something\t more\t individual\t and\t independent.\t When\t they\t invited\t architect Lok\tKuang\tWooi\tto\tlook\tat\tthe\tdevelopment\tsite,\tvery\tfew\tof\tthe\tlots\thad been\tsold.\tThey\twere\ttherefore\tsurprised\twhen\the\tchose\ta\tsite\tset\ton\ta steep\t slope\t where\t the\t access\t road\t is\t 15\t metres\t below\t the\t back boundary\tand\t11\tmetres\tbelow\tthe\tfirst\tbuildable\tlevel. But\tthe\tarchitect\tsaw\tan\topportunity\tto\tbuild\ta\tdistinctive\tbuilding\tthat grew\tout\tof\tthe\tlandscape\tand\ttook\tadvantage\tof\tthe\tviews.\tHe\talso\tsaw","the\t opportunity\t to\t create\t a\t contemporary\t tropical\t house\t which\t in\t form, palette\t and\t materials\t was\t a\t part\t of\t its\t natural\t context\t and\t which\t worked with\t the\t climate,\t not\t against\t it.\t Hence,\t the\t elevated\t siting\t of\t the\t building enables\t such\t a\t high\t degree\t of\t natural\t ventilation\t that\t the\t owners\t rarely have\tto\tuse\tair-conditioning. In\t addition,\t the\t extended\t curving\t elevation\t of\t the\t house\t as\t it\t follows the\t contour\t of\t the\t hill\t allowed\t for\t a\t shallow\t floorplate,\t ensuring\t that natural\tlight\tpenetrates\tevery\tpart\tof\tthe\thouse.\tThe\tmarked\televation\tof the\thouse\tabove\tthe\troad\talso\tguarantees\tprivacy,\tallowing\tthe\thouse\tto be\tfully\ttransparent,\teven\tthe\tbedrooms\tand\tbathrooms.\tThe\towners\tthus feel\tpermanently\tconnected\tto\tthe\toutside\tlandscape. Finally,\tthe\thouse\toffers\tsignificant\tspatial\texperiences,\tboth\tvertically and\t horizontally,\t once\t again\t reflecting\t the\t experience\t of\t living\t in\t a rugged\ttropical\tterrain. The\t basic\t curve\t of\t the\t house\t follows\t the\t contour\t of\t the\t hill\t and defines,\t on\t the\t first\t level\t or\t ground\t floor,\t the\t main\t body\t of\t the\t house\u2014 the\tliving,\tdining\tand\tkitchen\tareas.\tOutside,\tthere\tis\ta\tspa\tterrace\tand\ta koi\tpond.\tThe\twall\tand\tfloor\tof\tthe\tspa\tutilize\trock\ttaken\tfrom\tthe\tsite. The\t front\t wall\t of\t the\t living\t and\t dining\t areas\t consists\t of\t full-height glass\twith\tsliding\tdoors.\tHere,\tinstead\tof\tthe\tusual\tconcrete\tcolumns,\tthe architect\t has\t used\t clusters\t of\t slender\t load-bearing\t steel\t pipes\t which contribute\t to\t the\t overall\t \u2018industrial\u2019\t feel\t of\t the\t house.\t But\t this\t industrial feel\t is\t tempered\t by\t the\t use\t of\t timber,\t especially\t the\t vertical\t 1\t x\t 2\u201d chengal\thardwood\tscreen\twhich\trises\tfrom\tthe\tlower\tground\tlevel\tto\tthe roof\t eave.\t The\t delicate\t filigree\t nature\t of\t the\t screen\t complements\t the robust\t concrete\t structure\t of\t the\t building,\t while\t the\t material\t and\t the palette\t help\t it\t blend\t into\t the\t landscape.\t It\t also\t acts\t as\t a\t sun\t filter, reducing\theat\tand\tsoftening\tthe\tlight.\tIn\tparts,\tit\talso\tacts\tas\ta\trailing\tand as\ta\tsecurity\tgrill.","The\tvertiginous\tstairwell\tof\tconcrete\tis\tboth\talarming\tand\texciting. The\tcurved\twall\tthat\tpartly\tmasks\tthe\tmain\tliving\tarea\tfrom\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe\tstairs.","Entry\tto\tthe\tliving\/dining\tarea\tis\ta\tcounterpoint\tof\tconcrete,\tlocal\tbrick,\tsteel\tand\tglass. The\thardwood\tscreen\tprovides\tprivacy\twithout\texcluding\tlight\tor\taccess\tto\tviews.","The\tclusters\tof\tsteel\tsupporting\ttubes\thint\tat\tthe\ttall\ttrees\toutside. The\tspacious\tmaster\tbedroom.","This\tview\tof\tthe\tdeck\tgives\tan\tindication\tof\tthe\tpanoramas\tafforded\tby\tthe\televated\tsiting\tof\tthe house.","Organic\tcurved\tshapes\tconstantly\tmeet\tand\tseparate. A\tsecondary\tcurved\tvolume\tbegins\tat\tstreet\tlevel\tnext\tto\tthe\tgarage. This\thouses\tthe\tentry\tstairway,\tgallery\tand\tgymnasium\tand\talso\tprovides privacy\tfor\tthe\tdecks\tin\tthe\tevent\tof\tthe\tadjacent\tplot\tbeing\tdeveloped. There\t are\t few\t arrival\t sequences\t to\t rival\t the\t one\t at\t the\t Ting\t House. From\tthe\tgarage\tat\tstreet\tlevel,\tthe\tvisitor\tpasses\tthrough\ta\tsolid\ttimber door\u2014originally\tintended\tto\tbe\ta\ttable\ttop\u2014into\ta\tstairwell\tto\tproceed\tup a\t heady\t spiral\t staircase\t comprising\t 56\t steps.\t (There\t is\t also\t a\t lift\t for\t the less\table-bodied.)\tAt\tthe\tupper\tground\tfloor,\tthere\tis\ta\tnaturally\tlit\tlanding followed\t by\t another\t nine\t steps\t before\t the\t visitor\t emerges\t into\t the\t grand space\t of\t the\t living\t area,\t although\t this\t view\t is\t initially\t modulated\t by\t the curved\t wall\t of\t the\t kitchen,\t thus\t giving\t the\t space\t a\t dynamic,\t flowing character. The\tcurving\tmotif\tof\tthe\texternal\tform\tof\tthe\tbuilding\tis\tthus\tmirrored inside\tthe\thouse,\tboth\ton\tthe\tliving\/dining\tlevel\tand\ton\tthe\ttop\tfloor.\tHere there\t are\t three\t family\t bedrooms\t and\t a\t guest\t room,\t together\t with\t a gymnasium. In\tmany\tways,\tthis\tis\ta\thouse\tof\tjourneys,\tboth\tvertical\tand\thorizontal. Going\t up\t the\t stairs\t engenders\t a\t slight\t frisson\t of\t anxiety\t because,","although\t the\t stairs\t are\t made\t from\t concrete,\t they\t are\t also\t remarkably delicate.\t But\t one\t is\t led\t ever\t upward,\t lured\t by\t the\t vision\t of\t a\t rich\t and beautifully\t detailed\t timber\t ceiling.\t Once\t inside\t the\t house\t proper,\t the spaces\t flow\t into\t one\t another\t without\t fully\t revealing\t themselves\t until\t the last\tminute. Concealed\tlighting\tin\tthe\tstairway\tcreates\tthe\timpression\tof\ta\tritual\tjourney.","At\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe\tentry\tstairs,\ta\tgalleria\tleads\tto\tthe\tgymnasium.","A\ttimber\tscreen\tturns\tthe\tspa\tinto\tan\tintimate\tbathing\tpavilion. The\tsection\treveals\thow\tthe\thouse\t\u2018occupies\u2019\tthe\thill.","The\tfree-standing\tbath\tin\tthe\tmaster\tbathroom\treflects\tthe\t\u2018industrial\u2019\tfeel\tof\tthe\thouse. The\tstairway,\twith\tits\tsoaring,\torganic\tspace,\tcan\tseem\talmost\tGothic.","The\tcurved\tstairway\tfrom\tthe\tpublic\tspaces\tto\tthe\tprivate\tareas.","The\tgallery\tarm\tof\tthe\thouse\tcurves\taround\tto\tprovide\tprivacy\tfrom\tany\tfuture\tdevelopment\tnext door.","SINGAPORE","","BROOKVALE\tAPARTMENT SINGAPORE TRISTAN\tAND\tJULIANA\tSTUDIO The\tbalcony\thas\tbeen\topened\tup\tto\tbecome\tan\textension\tof\tthe\tliving\troom.","The\tfloor\tplan\treveals\thow\tthe\tapartment\thas\tbecome\tan\tassemblage\tof\tfree-flowing\tspaces. \u2018One\t would\t be\t hard\t pressed\t to\t find\t equivalent\t sophistication\t in\t the modern\tdesigns\tof\ttoday.\tWalk-up\tapartment\tblocks\tas\told\tas\tBrookvale are\t an\t endangered\t species\t in\t our\t city-country\t of\t Singapore.\u2019\u2014Juliana Chan This\ttop\tfloor\tcorner\tapartment\tis\tpart\tof\ta\t1980s\tapartment\tblock\ton the\t western\t side\t of\t Singapore.\t The\t area\t is\t lush\t and\t attractively landscaped,\t creating\t the\t impression\t of\t a\t self-contained\t community precinct.\t The\t apartment\t block\t itself\t sits\t on\t a\t hill\t and\t backs\t on\t to\t the dense\tjungle\tof\tthe\tMaju\tmilitary\tbase\treserve. They\t might\t not\t have\t the\t heritage\t cach\u00e9\t of\t the\t shophouse,\t but\t walk- up\t apartment\t blocks\t from\t the\t Brookvale\t Park\t era\t can\t mount\t an\t equally strong\tcase\tfor\tpreservation\tand\trenewal.\tFirst,\tin\ttheir\tdesign\tand\tuse\tof materials,\t they\t have\t architectural\t character.\t Secondly,\t in\t terms\t of\t their internal\t planning,\t says\t architect\t Juliana\t Chan,\t \u2018they\t combine\t both\t a stroke\t of\t practicality\t in\t their\t economy\t of\t scale,\t whilst\t maintaining sensitivity\t to\t the\t spatial\t proportions\t and\t distances\t required\t for\t its inhabitants\tto\tlive\tlife\twithout\tthe\tintrusive\tpressure\tof\turbanity.\u2019 The\t generous\t balcony\t and\t ingenious\t spatial\t organization\t were\t two things\t that\t persuaded\t Juliana\t Chan\t and\t her\t interior\t designer\t husband Tristan\t Tan,\t who\t previously\t ran\t Singapore\u2019s\t popular\t furniture\t showroom Cream,\tthat\tthe\tapartment\thad\tthe\tpotential\tfor\treinvention.\tThe\tresult\tis a\tstrong\targument\tfor\t\u2018recycling\u2019\texisting\tapartment\tbuildings\trather\tthan","the\tmore\tcommon\tpractice\tof\tdemolition\tand\trebuilding,\twhich\toften\tends up\t with\t apartment\t buildings\t that\t are\t claustrophobic,\t formulaic\t and\t much less\tsensitive\tto\ttheir\tphysical\tand\thistorical\tcontext. Like\tthe\tmany\tshophouse\tmake-overs,\tthis\tBrookvale\tPark\tapartment is\tan\tinstructive\texercise\tin\thow\tan\texisting\tdwelling\tcan\tbe\tadapted\tto\ta sophisticated\t contemporary\t lifestyle\t without\t losing\t the\t character\t and sense\tof\tcommunity\twhich\tcome\twith\tits\thistory.","Removal\tof\tthe\tceiling\thas\texposed\tthe\ttrusses,\twhich\thave\tbecome\ta\tdecorative\tfeature\tin\twhat is\tnow\ta\tvery\tgenerous\tspace.","The\ttransparency\tof\tthe\tbookcase,\twith\ta\tview\tthrough\tto\tthe\televated\thome\toffice,\thelps\tdispel any\tsense\tof\tconfinement. Other\t sustainable\t aspects\t of\t this\t renovation\t include\t opening\t up\t the interior\t and\t rethinking\t the\t fenestration\t to\t promote\t cross-ventilation,\t and generating\t a\t greater\t sense\t of\t connection\t with\t the\t outside,\t especially\t at the\trear\tof\tthe\tapartment\twhere\tthe\tnew\tmaster\tbedroom\tand\tbathroom both\t\u2018borrow\u2019\tthe\tlandscape\tof\tthe\treserve\twithout\tany\tloss\tof\tprivacy. Being\t on\t the\t top\t floor\t of\t the\t building\t offered\t a\t crucial\t advantage.\t By removing\t the\t artificial\t ceiling,\t the\t designers\t were\t able\t to\t exploit\t the sharply\t pitched\t roof\t of\t the\t building\t to\t significantly\t increase\t the\t volumes in\t the\t apartment,\t especially\t in\t the\t living\/dining\/kitchen\t area\t in\t the\t front part.\t This\t exercise\t revealed\t the\t timber\t rafters,\t which\t were\t sanded\t back and\trestored.\tIn\tthis\tway,\tnot\tonly\tis\tthe\tsense\tof\tspace\tin\tthe\tapartment greatly\tenhanced\tbut\tthe\tintrinsic\tcharacter\tof\tthe\tbuilding\tis\trevealed. The\t internal\t spaces\t have\t also\t been\t thoroughly\t rethought\t so\t that\t the apartment\t now\t has\t a\t public\t area\t (living\/dining\/kitchen),\t a\t private\t area (bedroom\t and\t bathroom)\t and\t an\t in-between\t space\t (home\t office).\t The latter\t is\t on\t the\t same\t level\t as\t the\t kitchen\t and\t bedroom,\t about\t a\t metre above\t the\t entry\t level\t and\t living\t space,\t and\t was\t formerly\t the\t master","bedroom.\t It\t is\t an\t in-between\t space\t because\t the\t dividing\t wall\t has\t been removed\t and\t replaced\t by\t see-through\t shelving\t to\t partially\t connect\t it\t to the\tliving\tspace. The\tpublic\tarea\tbegins\tat\tthe\tentry\twith\tthe\tliving\tarea\tthat\tleads\tout to\t the\t balcony.\t A\t settee,\t which\t faces\t the\t balcony,\t is\t integrated\t into\t a series\tof\tfloating\tsteps\tthat\tlead\tfrom\tthe\tstone\tfloor\tof\tthe\tliving\tarea\tto the\t timber\t floor\t of\t the\t kitchen\/dining\t area.\t The\t elevation\t of\t the kitchen\/dining\t area\t makes\t the\t living\t space\t seem\t like\t a\t sunken\t den,\t a cosy\t self-contained\t space\t which\t avoids\t any\t sense\t of\t claustrophobia because\t of\t the\t wide\t balcony\t doors,\t and\t by\t being\t visually\t connected\t to the\t rear\t of\t the\t apartment\t by\t doorways\t on\t either\t side\t of\t the\t kitchen\t unit and\tto\tthe\tstudio. The\t long\t quartz\t benchtop\t and\t elegantly\t integrated,\t linear\t kitchen joinery\tserve\tto\tseparate\tthe\tpublic\tand\tprivate\tareas.\tOriginally,\tthe\trear of\tthe\tapartment\tcontained\ttwo\tguest\tbedrooms,\ta\tkitchen\tand\ta\tservice bath.\t This\t has\t been\t rationalized\t into\t a\t single\t bedroom\t with\t an\t en\t suite. (There\t is\t also\t a\t powder\t room\t and\t small\t storeroom\t adjacent\t to\t the kitchen.)\t The\t bedroom\t ceiling\t was\t also\t removed\t to\t expose\t the\t timber trusses\t and\t sloping\t roof,\t and\t the\t bedroom\t was\t connected\t to\t the bathroom\tby\ta\tconcealed\tdoor\tin\tthe\tdark\ttimber\tbuilt-in\twardrobe. Just\t as\t the\t bedroom\t borrows\t the\t outside\t landscape,\t the\t bathroom has\t the\t character\t of\t an\t outdoor\t room\t with\t a\t free-standing\t bath\t and\t a Boffi\t tubular\t shower,\t which\t stands\t in\t the\t middle\t of\t the\t floor\t without\t a screen\u2014all\t looking\t out\t to\t the\t reserve\t through\t a\t generously\t sized window. The\t finishes\t and\t furnishings\t in\t the\t apartment\t have\t all\t been\t carefully selected\t and\t crafted\t to\t combine\t contemporary\t taste\t with\t the\t slightly rustic\t character\t of\t the\t original\t building.\t Hence,\t the\t tables\t and\t stools\t are from\te15,\tthe\tdining\tchairs\tare\tHans\tWegner\t\u2018Wishbone\u2019,\tthe\tsofa\tbed\tis Gervasoni\t and\t the\t kitchen\t appliances\t are\t all\t Miele.\t Other\t furnishings, however,\t are\t either\t restored\t antique\t pieces\t or\t have\t been\t custom- designed\tto\tlend\ta\thomely,\tspontaneous\tfeel. Similarly,\tother\telements\thelp\tmaintain\ta\thistorical\tconnection\tthrough their\t materials\t and\t palette.\t The\t frame\t around\t the\t kitchen\t unit,\t for example,\tis\tCorTen\tsteel,\tand\tthere\tis\ta\trange\tof\ttimber\tpalette\tfrom\tlight to\t dark.\t The\t external\t window\t frames\t are\t pre-rusted\t steel\t to\t hint\t at\t the","original\tframing,\twhile\tthe\tinternal\tglazing\tis\tvery\tcontemporary. This\t apartment\t is\t an\t outstanding\t example\t of\t adaptive\t reuse. Demolition\tand\trebuilding\thave\tbeen\tavoided\tand\tthe\tinherent\tcharacter of\t the\t apartment\t has\t been\t explored\t to\t create\t a\t stylish\t contemporary dwelling.\t In\t the\t process,\t the\t apartment\t has\t been\t rethought\t to\t meet\t the needs\tof\ta\tyoung\tcouple\twithout\tchildren\twhose\tprofessional\tbackground reflects\tthe\tchanging\tface\tof\tSingapore. The\t\u2018stage\u2019\tof\tthe\tdining\tarea\talso\tgives\tthe\topportunity\tfor\ta\tbanquette\tand\tsome\telegant\tfloating steps\tto\tthe\tupper\tlevel. The\tprivate\tarea\tis\tbehind\tthe\tkitchen\tpod\tand\tincludes\ta\tpowder\troom\tand\tlaundry.","The\t view\t of\t the\t living\t area\t from\t the\t elevated\t kitchen\/dining\t space\t shows\t the\t entry\t door\t and reveals\thow\tthe\tsmall\tapartment\tnow\thas\ta\tfeeling\tof\tspaciousness.","THE\tCOPPER\tHOUSE SENTOSA,\tSINGAPORE\tCSYA The\tground\tfloor\tplan\tshows\tthe\tdynamic\tirregularity\tof\tthe\tplanning. \u2018It\t has\t been\t quite\t a\t painful\t process.\t Not\t because\t of\t the\t client,\t but because\t of\t the\t design.\t There\t is\t not\t a\t single\t surface\t that\t is\t straight.\u2019\u2014 Sonny\tChan This\tis\ta\thouse\twhich\tnever\tstands\tstill.\tLook\tat\tit\tfrom\tthe\tfront\t(the street),\t look\t at\t it\t from\t the\t back\t (the\t ocean\t promenade)\t or,\t indeed,\t from up\ton\tits\tsurging\tgreen\troof,\tand\tthe\thouse\tis\tin\tconstant\tmotion.\tThere is\t no\t fixed\t point\t of\t view\t to\t tell\t us\t where\t this\t house\t begins\t and\t where\t it ends.","Inside,\t it\t is\t the\t same\t story,\t as\t the\t house\t constantly\t unfolds\t into something\telse\tin\ta\tkind\tof\tmagical\tmystery\ttour,\tan\tAlice\tin\tWonderland- type\texperience\twhere\tnothing\tis\twhat\tit\tseems. Architect\tSonny\tChan\tsays\tthey\tset\tout\tto\tdesign\ta\tmonolith\tand\tthis is\t what\t it\t is.\t While\t there\t are\t multiple\t perspectives,\t they\t all\t combine\t to form\ta\tseamless\tunity. The\t house\t is\t made\t from\t concrete,\t but\t dressed\t in\t a\t copper\t skin\u2014 which\tmay\tbe\thot\tto\tthe\ttouch\tin\tthe\ttropical\theat,\tbut\tit\talso\thas\tthermal properties\twhich\tmoderate\theat\tpenetration.\tIt\ttherefore\tcollaborates\twith the\t high\t levels\t of\t cross-ventilation\t to\t minimize\t the\t need\t for\t air- conditioning. The\t cross-ventilation\t is\t generated\t by\t the\t fact\t that\t the\t house\t is effectively\t just\t one\t room\t deep,\t since\t it\t wraps\t around\t an\t interior\t garden courtyard\t with\t only\t an\t operable\t glass\t louvred\t corridor\t separating\t the bedrooms\t on\t the\t ground\t floor\t from\t the\t internal\t court\t and,\t on\t the\t ocean side,\t with\t sliding\t glass\t doors\t connecting\t the\t bedrooms\t directly\t to\t the pool,\tthe\tJacuzzi\tand\tthe\tgarden. On\tthe\twaterside\televation\tof\tthe\thouse,\ta\tgrassy\tberm\tprovides\tprivacy\tfrom\tthe\tpublic\twalkway.","The\tstreet\tentry\tto\tthe\thouse\timmediately\tsignals\tthe\tintriguing\tnature\tof\tthe\thouse. The\tstrategy\twas\tto\toptimize\texposure\tto\tthe\tsea\tbreezes.\tSince\tthe sea\tis\tten\tmetres\taway\tand\tthen\tthree\tmetres\tbeneath\tthe\tpromenade,\tit was\tdecided\tto\tplace\tall\tthe\tbedrooms\ton\tthe\tground\tfloor\tand\tthe\tdining and\t entertainment\t spaces\t on\t the\t next\t level\t to\t enjoy\t not\t just\t the\t sea breezes\tbut\talso\tthe\tsweeping\tocean\tviews. The\t things\t which\t promote\t natural\t ventilation\t also\t maximize\t natural light\t and\t lower\t dependency\t on\t artificial\t lighting.\t This\t is\t done\t in conjunction\t with\t the\t quirky\t sculptural\t character\t of\t the\t house.\t The eccentric\t faceted\t glass\t prisms\t which\t seem\t to\t have\t dropped\t randomly from\t the\t sky\t into\t the\t garden\t courtyard\t actually\t draw\t light\t down\t into\t the basement\tcar\tpark. As\t the\t architects\t point\t out,\t the\t house\t \u2018evolves\u2019\t from\t the\t ground\t floor up\t in\t a\t vortical\t fashion.\t This\t ultimately\t leads\t to\t the\t green\t rooftop\t which, from\t its\t access\t point,\t continues\t to\t climb\t by\t way\t of\t a\t spiral\t timber walkway\tto\tthe\tsummit,\tculminating\tin\ta\ttimber\tterrace,\tideal\tfor\tcocktails at\tsunset.\tThis\troof,\tinspired\tby\tthat\tof\tthe\tYokohama international\t passenger\t terminal,\t really\t does\t seem\t like\t the\t end\t of\t a journey\t which\t involves\t the\t house\t transforming\t from\t an\t opaque\t monolith (albeit\twith\tdelicate\tperforations\tto\tthe\tcopper\tscreen)\tthrough\tincreasing","transparency\tuntil\tat\tthe\tsummit\tit\tbecomes\tone\twith\tthe\tsea\tand\tthe\tsky. It\t celebrates\t this\t connection\t with\t a\t rolling\t green\t lawn\t that\t might\t be artificial\t grass\t but\t which\t nonetheless\t provides\t an\t additional\t insulating skin\tto\tassist\twith\tinternal\tclimate\tcontrol. In\t fact,\t the\t house\t is\t a\t journey\u2014a\t vortical\t or\t spiralling\t progression which\t makes\t it\t simultaneously\t a\t horizontal\t and\t a\t vertical\t journey.\t This begins\t at\t the\t ground\t floor\t entry\t where\t one\t is\t immediately\t confronted\t by what\t Chan\t calls\t the\t pi\u00e8ce\t de\t r\u00e9sistance,\t the\t lift,\t which\t is\t housed\t in\t a science\t fiction-like\t sculptural\t pod\t of\t faceted\t bronze-coloured\t stainless steel.\t This\t is\t the\t first\t example\t of\t many\t where\t the\t vorticist\t character\t of the\tjourney\tthrough\tthe\thouse\tis\talso\texpressed\tin\tthree\tdimensions\u2014as with\t the\t irregularly\t shaped\t internal\t courtyard,\t the\t garden\t skylights,\t even the\t gabion\t retaining\t wall\t in\t the\t basement\t car\t park,\t which\t also\t reduces the\tneed\tfor\tcement. The\t internal\t garden\t courtyard\t is\t completely\t irregular,\t including\t the\t sculptural\t glass\t prisms\t that draw\tlight\tinto\tthe\tbasement\tcar\tpark.","The\tsection\treveals\thow\tthe\thouse\tis\tevery\tbit\tas\tdynamic\tvertically\tas\tit\tis\thorizontally. The\t bedrooms\t along\t the\t waterside\t elevation\t each\t have\t direct\t access\t to\t the\t swimming\t pool\t and open\tup\tto\tsea\tbreezes. The\t lift\t is\t a\t sculptural\t object\t that\t blocks\t any\t immediate\t view\t into\t the house\tor\tbeyond\tto\tthe\tocean\tview.\tThe\tgarden\tcourtyard\tis\tglimpsed\tto the\tright,\twhile\tbeyond\tthe\tlift\tcore\tis\tthe\tmaster\tbedroom\tand\tbathroom and\ta\tsitting\troom. Although\t this\t is\t basically\t a\t weekender,\t not\t a\t permanent\t home,\t the children\t are\t given\t their\t own\t wing\t with\t its\t own\t entry\t and\t the\t bedrooms opening\t individually\t on\t to\t the\t glass\t louvred\t corridor.\t However,\t even\t the children\t enjoy\t amenities\t which\t Chan\t quips\t are\t \u2018pretty\t luxe\u2019.\t Their","bedrooms\t open\t directly\t on\t to\t the\t pool,\t with\t bathrooms\t screened\t by translucent\t glass\t and\t benches\t of\t onyx\t marble,\t along\t with\t the\t aged- textured,\twire-brushed\toak\twall\tfinishes. The\teccentric\tsculptural\tbronze\tlift\tcore\tinside\tthe\tentry.","The\tmaster\tbedroom. A\t wine\t storage\t unit\t forms\t an\t elegant\t room\t divider\t between\t the\t main\t living\t room\t and\t the\t dining area\ton\tthe\tsecond\tfloor.","The\tentertainment\troom\ton\tthe\tsecond\tlevel. The\tbathroom,\tspa\tand\tsteam\troom\thave\ta\tritualistic\tquality.","The\tdining\tarea\ton\tthe\tsecond\tlevel\thas\ta\tbreakfast\tbar\tand\tfood\tpreparation\tfacilities. Beyond\tthe\tchildren\u2019s\tbedrooms\tis\ta\tdarkly\thandsome\tbathroom,\tspa and\t steam\t room\t adjacent\t to\t a\t massage\t room\t where\t the\t perforated copper\tskin\tcasts\ta\tcalming\tdappled\tlight. Upstairs\t is\t the\t dining\t room\t with\t an\t underlit\t onyx\t floor\t and\t the entertainment\troom,\tseparated\tfrom\tthe\tdining\tspace\tby\ta\tpowder\troom. This\twhole\tlevel\topens\tup\tto\tthe\tview\tand\tthe\tsea\tbreezes. \u2018We\t try\t to\t tell\t our\t clients\u2019,\t says\t Chan,\t \u2018that\t you\t can\t live\t without\t air- conditioning.\u2019\t Like\t the\t other\t Sentosa\t houses\t which\t front\t the\t sea,\t this\t is certainly\tachievable\tin\tthis\thouse\twhere\tthere\tis\ta\tconstant\tsea\tbreeze\tto be\tcaptured.\tThe\tshallow\tdepth\tof\tthe\thouse,\talong\twith\tthe\tpermeability of\tgenerous\topening\tglass\twindows\tand\tdoors,\tensures\tthat\tthe\thouse\tis constantly\tventilated. The\thouse\tis\talso\ta\treminder,\talbeit\ton\tan\topulent\tscale,\tthat\tholiday houses\t play\t an\t important\t role\t in\t bringing\t families\t together.\t During\t the working\t week,\t everyone\t has\t something\t else\t to\t do.\t With\t a\t house designed\t to\t sustain\t family\t life,\t at\t the\t weekend\t or\t on\t holiday\t they\t can again\tbecome\ta\tfamily\tunit.","Finishes\tthroughout\tare\texquisite\tand\tvaried. The\tglazed\tcorridor\tlinking\tthe\tchildren\u2019s\tbedrooms\tlooks\tinto\tthe\tcentral\tcourt.","The\tsculptural\tdrama\tis\texemplified\tby\tthe\tstaircase. After\tthe\tinitial\tsurprise\tof\tthe\tlift\tcore,\tthere\tis\tanother\tone\tas\tit\tdescends,\tfollowing\tthe\tstaircase, to\tthe\tbasement.","A\tsmall\tsitting\troom\ton\tthe\tground\tfloor\tadjacent\tto\tthe\tgarden\tcourt. The\twaterside\televation\tseen\tfrom\tthe\tpublic\twalkway.","The\t textured\t copper\t skin\t wraps\t around\t the\t form\t of\t the\t house,\t with\t the\t reflecting\t glass\t feature window\tnext\tto\tthe\tentry\tproviding\tthe\tfirst\tof\tmany\tsurprises. The\t pathway\t to\t the\t \u2018summit\u2019\t of\t the\t roof\t garden\t offers\t a\t visual\t reprise\t of\t the\t house\t looking\t back down\tto\tthe\tgarden\tcourt.","The\ttimber\tpath\tto\tthe\tsummit\tand\tthe\tgreen\troof\treplicate\tthe\teccentric\tforms\tbelow. The\tviewing\tdeck\tand\tbarbeque\tat\tthe\tsummit.","FOURTH\tAVENUE\tHOUSE SINGAPORE RICHARD\tHO\tARCHITECTS Seen\tfrom\tthe\tstreet,\tthe\thouse\tsits\tlike\ta\ttemple\ton\ta\thill. \u2018Sustainable\t and\t green\t design\t has\t to\t begin\t with\t the\t design,\t not\t by buying\ttechnology.\tThis\thouse\tis\tunique\tin\tthat\tall\tthe\tspaces,\texcept\tfor the\t bedrooms,\t are\t designed\t for\t natural\t ventilation,\t with\t no\t air- conditioning,\tand\talmost\tall\tthe\tmaterials\tused\tare\trecycled\tor\trecyclable. It\t is\t an\t evolution\t of\t the\t black-and-white\t house\t with\t no\t apologies\t for\t its cultural\torigin.\u2019\u2014Richard\tHo The\t Fourth\t Avenue\t House\t is\t designed\t for\t three\t generations.\t The owner\t is\t a\t return\t client\t who\t wanted\t a\t house\t which\t would\t be\t unique\t to him\t and\t which\t would\t carry\t over\t some\t of\t the\t character\t and\t memories\t of his\told\thouse.\tAt\tthe\tsame\ttime,\tit\twas\tto\tbe\ta\tmodern\thome,\tappropriate","in\tevery\tway\tto\ta\thighly\tsuccessful\tbusinessman. It\t was\t a\t perfect\t assignment\t for\t Richard\t Ho\t whose\t name\t is synonymous\tin\tSingapore\tfor\tboth\tquality\theritage\twork\tand\this\tability\tto reconcile\t contemporary\t needs\t with\t cultural\t continuity.\t \u2018The\t architect\u2019 says\t Ho,\t \u2018is\t a\t facilitator\t of\t the\t transition\t to\t the\t modern\t world,\t to\t the acquisition\tof\ttaste.\u2019\tPart\tof\tthis\trole,\the\tadds,\tis\tto\thelp\timbue\this\tAsian clients\twith\ta\tsense\tof\tconfidence\tof\tbeing\tin\tthe\tmodern\tworld\u2014\u2019without the\tneed\tfor\ta\tPrada\thandbag\u2019. The\tsection\treveals\thow\tthe\thouse\tsteps\tup\tin\tlevels. Although\t the\t house\t is\t a\t new\t build,\t it\t offered\t Ho\t the\t opportunity\t to explore\t ways\t of\t generating\t personal\t and\t cultural\t continuity,\t nowhere better\t illustrated\t than\t in\t the\t circular\t window\t with\t its\t inserted\t traditional Chinese\tcarved\tsquare\twindow\tin\tthe\tmain\tstairwell,\tand\twith\tthe\tcarved timber\t highlight\t windows\t connecting\t the\t living\t and\t entertainment\t rooms with\tthe\tdining\tarea. But\t before\t this\t house\t became\t an\t example\t of\t person\t and\t cultural continuity,\tit\twas\tan\texercise\tin\tenvironmental\tsustainability.\tIt\tis\tsituated in\ta\tcul-de-sac\tand\ton\ta\tsteeply\tsloping\tsite\twith\ta\tdrop\tof\tthree\tmetres. From\t the\t street,\t the\t site\t steps\t up\t the\t hillside,\t giving\t the\t house,\t with\t its wide\t eaves,\t porticoed\t entry\t and\t verandah\t and\t granite\t pool\t steps,\t a temple-like\taura\tand\tinviting\tthe\tvisitor\tto\tmake\this\tway\tup\tseveral\tflights of\tceremonial\tstairs.","The\tidea\tof\tclimbing\tsteps\tto\ta\ttemple\tis\techoed\tin\tthe\tconcrete\tfaceting\tof\tthe\tpool\tterrace. The\tsite\tis\talso\tin\ta\ttree\tconservation\tarea\twhere\tall\t40\tof\tthe\texisting trees\t have\t been\t retained\t to\t contribute\t to\t a\t lush\t garden\t setting.\t Its prominent\t high\t position\t not\t only\t gives\t the\t house\t sensational\t views\t over the\tcity\tbut\talso\tthe\topportunity\tto\tcapture\tbreezes.\tHo\thas\texploited\tthis by\tcreating\texpansive\tverandahs\tsheltered\tby\twide\teaves,\tand\tensuring that\t the\t dining,\t living\t and\t entertainment\t spaces,\t all\t well\t set\t back,\t are effectively\t \u2018outdoor\t rooms\u2019\t because\t they\t are\t all\t fully\t connected\t to\t the outside\tby\tlarge\tsliding\tdoors\twhich\tdisappear\tinto\tthe\twalls.\tThe\tcross- ventilation\t is\t so\t effective\t that\t air-conditioning\t is\t unnecessary\t in\t these downstairs\tspaces.\t\u2018You\tfeel\tlike\tyou\tare\tliving\tin\ta\tpavilion,\u2019\tsays\tHo. The\twrap-around\tverandah,\twith\tits\treconstituted\tgranite\tcolumns\tand generous\t eaves\t giving\t protection\t from\t the\t sun\t and\t rain,\t is\t deliberately contrived\tto\telicit\tmemories\tof\tcolonial\tblack-and-white\thouses,\twhile\tthe courtyard\t screens\t and\t dining\t area\t hint\t at\t the\t Chinese\t courtyard\t house. This\t cultural\t reference\t is\t reinforced\t by\t the\t carved\t timber\t screen\t at\t the"]