INWARD NATURE || Reinventing Light and Space: Explore This Elegant, Nature-Inspired Home in Singapore
It’s incredible how natural light can transform a living space.
The Inward Nature project is a unique semi-detached Singapore dwelling spanning over 6,000 square feet. Originally designed to maximize interior space, the challenge for the designers was to invigorate the expansive interiors and instill a sense of poetics, particularly in the dimmer spaces on the first floor.
Central to the design is a double light channel on the ceiling, which extends through the open-plan living room and dining area. The light track on the ceiling and a 13-meter lush carpet in the living room animates the space and establishes a clear axial order. These design elements elevate the ambiance, especially in areas where natural light is limited.
The lighting track in the ceiling is mirrored by the luxurious 13-metre carpet underneath that runs the length of the living and dining area.
A unique wood and glass storage console that demarcates the dining and living area provides circular cutouts on the surface to house potted plants.
The designers chose a harmonious blend of natural and engineered materials. Travertine fronts the living area, while a continuous stretch of sandstone runs through its length. The bar and kitchen counters are adorned with engineered quartz, complementing the fabric on the opposite axis. This thoughtful curation of materials not only enhances the visual appeal but also subtly demarcates different zones within the open space.
A striking 13-meter custom carpet lies beneath, mirroring the ceiling's linear design and further defining the living and dining areas. The kitchen is a marvel of functionality and style, featuring foldable glass panes and a duotone black and white bar and kitchen counter. The dining area is anchored by an American black walnut slab table, harmonizing with the distinctive sandstone walls with its timber-like veins. A large circular art piece emits a soft glow, illuminating the fabric-clad wall and adding a touch of elegance to the subdued setting.
The master bedroom exudes a sense of secluded luxury, veiled by fluted translucent materials. The son’s and daughter’s bedrooms showcase timber-patterned laminates running horizontally, seamlessly integrating with the sandstone's vein patterns in the living areas. This continuity of design elements creates a cohesive narrative throughout the home.
Fluted transparency in the master bedroom.
Timber-patterned laminates in the children’s bedrooms utilizing similar strip lighting techniques to gently illuminate the room.
This Singaporean home illustrates how the creative use and expert blending of natural light and lighting design can elevate a home’s aura. By focusing on light manipulation and a carefully selected material palette, the designers have created a living environment that's not just aesthetically pleasing but also resonates with our innate connection to nature.
Nature-inspired colours and textures are reflected harmoniously in the furnishings and construction materials.
PROJECT DETAILS
Architect: Metre Architects | Instagram
Project Location: Singapore
Site Size: 6534 ft2
Completion Date: 2023
Building Levels: 3
Photography: