House with Water Lawn Zone by Wallflower Architecture + Design in Tanglin, Singapore

Project: House with Water Lawn Zone Architects: Wallflower Architecture + Design Location: Tanglin, Singapore Year: 2020 Photography by: Marc Tey, Rayden Ong

House with Water Lawn Zone by Wallflower Architecture + Design

The House with Water Lawn Zone is a stunning modern residence built in place of an outdated home that did not use space efficiently. The new dwelling was designed by Wallflower Architecture + Design and fully utilizes the circular plot. Of course, this is not the first time we have seen the remarkable work of this studio. We have previously showcased some of their projects, such as the House with a Secret Garden and the House with an Open End.

The plot, which had been owned for 30 years, needed to be replaced with a new home that maximizes allowable construction and meets new requirements. Among these were the need for a waterfall in the design and the desire for privacy from numerous neighbors. The plot is perfectly circular when viewed from above and unique in Singapore. This circle confines the site located in the middle of a steep ravine.

Unlike the slopes we have encountered previously, a narrow path from the front gate descends 3.4 meters to the existing level (first floor) and then the plot begins to slope down 5.3 meters into the ravine. The circular site had no lawn zones and was surrounded by six houses.

The shape and sloped topography of the plot were obvious challenges to solve. With simplicity and efficiency as priority planning attributes, the house adopted a C-shaped external courtyard configuration. Since the garden at the bottom of the ravine was inaccessible, the sloped site inspired the integration of cascading pools and terraces into a C-form that logically descend toward the 'ravine.' Lush greenery was integrated at every level of the house to compensate for the lack of a lawn zone. The pool edges cascade as waterfalls observable upon entering the basement.

This evolved into a projecting structure extending from the peak of a rocky outcrop. The platform now houses living spaces and the pool. The intention was to make it visually appear as floating, giving smooth travertine blocks a light feel. Main spaces are open and transparent with views of the water revealing the hidden ravine of Lady Hill.

Wooden screens made from teak cover the entire facade and allow control over privacy and indoor microclimate. A filter of hanging plants adds a level of privacy and softens the facade near the pool. The palette was intentionally limited to travertine and basalt, with light meant to penetrate the lower levels, giving those otherwise confined spaces a sense of openness. The feeling of movement connects all spaces through the architectural form of curvature and sloped facades, the flow of water, and the topography. They are balanced by stable large platform areas where living spaces reside. The cozy house nestled among mature trees gains privacy rare for such a densely built urban plot, adjacent to a lively zone in this highly valued area.

–Wallflower Architecture + Design