AN AMPLE HOUSE || Embracing Ample Living: A Journey Towards Harmonious Interior Design in Singapore
In the bustling city-state of Singapore, known for its skyline brimming with architectural feats, a humble abode stands apart, not for towering over its neighbours but for embodying the essence of ample living.
The recent transformation of a semi-detached house into a sanctuary of privacy, adequacy, and permanence brings a refreshing narrative to the urban residential landscape.
Nestled at a T-junction on a higher terrain, the residence faced the challenge of ensuring privacy while not compromising on daylight and ventilation. The remodelling journey from a single-storey dwelling to a three-storey house was meticulously carried out to address these necessities. Unlike the common urban pursuit of maximizing space to boost resale value, this project celebrates the idea of a permanent home, a place to live in and relish the simple joys of life.
Small windows facing the street ensure privacy. The geometric blocks in a gradation of greys present an abstraction of mountains and valleys.
With a brief that resonated with the homeowner's values, the design evolved as a tangible embodiment of abstract virtues. The house now graciously steps away from the party wall, presenting a composed facade with small windows towards the street, ensuring privacy while unveiling hidden terraces at the back. These terraces are generous in welcoming light and air, channelling the prevailing winds from various directions, thereby creating a natural ventilation system.
The interior layout is a choreographed dance between daylight and space. The skylight above the living and dining rooms on the first storey brings a whimsical play of sun rays, subtly marking the passage of time. As one ascends to the second storey, the private family terrace unfolds, linking the children's bedrooms to the master suite on the third storey through an upper deck. This cascading open terrace alongside a grand feature wall evokes a serene yet profound spatial experience, reminiscent of standing before a grand Mark Rothko painting. The street elevation of the house portrays a picturesque abstraction of mountains and valleys, crafting a geometric narrative that resonates with the tranquillity within.
The simplicity in the designs and clean lines in the volumetric elements throughout the home reminds one of the beauty of white space.
The concept of 'Less is More' is resurfacing in modern times, with more individuals seeking a minimalist lifestyle, shedding the excess, and embracing the essential. Social media often teems with images of quaint huts amidst nature, sparking a sense of envy and longing for a life unburdened by material excess. This house in Singapore manifests this global shift in values, portraying a lifestyle rich with simplicity yet abundant in experience.
The same pared back approach extends into the living and dining room.
Singapore, despite being a nexus of material affluence, has laid the canvas for a dwelling that epitomizes ample living. This lifestyle is rich in knowing what is enough and feeling abundant with the sky, winds, and clouds as constant companions. Through this project, the city doesn't just showcase an alternative residential design, but makes a statement on a lifestyle that aligns with the emerging global revaluation of what truly matters in creating a harmonious living space.
A living space free of unnecessary adornments, where white space is beautiful.
PROJECT DETAILS
Principal Architect and Interior Design: WOON Chung Yen
Architect and Interior Designer: Metre Architects
Project Location: Singapore
Project Size: 316 m2
Site Size: 292 m2
Completion Date: 2021
Building Levels: 3
Photography: Studio Periphery