This elegant house in Singapore takes a cue from traditional Asian architecture to create a remarkable home that exudes poise and an enviable sense of serenity
The roof has always been a distinctive feature of traditional Asian architecture, be it the elegant courtyard houses in Suzhou or the imposing yosemune roofs of Japanese temples. In this day and age, where modern terraces and solar panels are the order of the day, roof design often takes a backseat.
Set against this cultural backdrop of practicality, the roof of this 6,200 sq ft house in Singapore is a rare and visually arresting example that borrows the silhouettes of classical Asian traditions and reinvents them with a unique, modern flourish. This ‘crowning’ achievement, and the rest of the bungalow, is the culmination of a partnership between its owners, a banker and an accountant with two daughters, and EHKA Studio, which provided architectural and interior design services.
Don't miss: Home Tour: How Iroshini and Aiyana Chua Designed the House of Their Dreams in Singapore
Director Hsu Hsia Pin, who spent the early years of his career at Kerry Hill Architects, builds on the lessons he learned at the award-winning practice he founded with his wife, Eunice Khoo. “Kerry Hill was focused on good spatial quality—light, proportion and comfort,” says Hsu, commenting the work of Hill, the late founder of Kerry Hill Architects. These values come to the fore in this house, where space itself is wielded as a luxury. Influenced by Chinese culture, the husband engaged a feng shui master to guide the early stages of the project from which arose the concept of ren yuan, meaning “affinity with people” in Chinese. EHKA Studio translated this idea into two centrally located communal areas on the first and second floors to foster social interaction.
The sloping form of the Chinese character, ren, also served as the inspiration for the home’s sweeping roof. Both daughters had initial reservations about its unconventional design. “After the roof was built, my daughters grew to appreciate it,” says the wife. “My husband and I like the design as it is unique and meaningful. We wanted this house to be a place where family and friends gather often.”
In case you missed it: Home Tour: A Singapore House Inspired by Brutalism and Super Cars