Forever House by Wallflower Architects

ByJon Dykstra Houses

A photo of the big house with an urban presence.

Location: Serangoon, Singapore
Square footage: 10,800 sqft

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About Studio

Wallflower was founded by Tan Chai Chong Robin and Cecil Chee, bringing together a combined experience of commercial projects and residential developments. Established in 1999, Wallflower Pte Ltd & Wallflower Architecture + Design have undertaken a wide spectrum of work, ranging from commercial and residential projects, and have received numerous awards for excellence in design, having been also widely featured in local and international publications. Wallflower was quickly recognized by Singapore’s Ministry of Information, Communication, and the Arts, as one of Singapore’s key industry players in design.

Slate-covered tiered planters convey a visually substantial base platform.
Slate-covered tiered planters convey a visually substantial base platform.
The visible massing and embracing wings of the house are formed by two different cantilevered volumes that are pushed to the site's maximum urban setback.
The visible massing and embracing wings of the house are formed by two different cantilevered volumes that are pushed to the site’s maximum urban setback.
A central circulation core connects the divided volumes.
A central circulation core connects the divided volumes.
Black basalt stone contrasts with the beige and silver travertine that covers the outside face.
Black basalt stone contrasts with the beige and silver travertine that covers the outside face.
Entry inside the underground garage is a secluded, shielded experience from the outside world.
Entry inside the underground garage is a secluded, shielded experience from the outside world.
A march to the main door further within the garage displays textural changes in the architectural finishes, revealing smooth, honed travertine walls and floors. The stone and materials inside the garage are cave-like.
A march to the main door further within the garage displays textural changes in the architectural finishes, revealing smooth, honed travertine walls and floors. The stone and materials inside the garage are cave-like.
The vistas extend upward and outward as one ascends to the next level from the entrance.
The vistas extend upward and outward as one ascends to the next level from the entrance.
A wooden stairway leading to the home's other rooms.
A wooden stairway leads to the home’s other rooms.
Glass walls surround it and provide views of the yard.
Glass walls surround it and provide views of the yard.
It is a long staircase to the house because it is so large.
It is a long staircase to the house because it is so large.
On this ground floor are the primary living and eating spaces.
On this ground floor are the primary living and eating spaces.
A walk-in wine cellar and a sizable entertainment/games area were accessible from the foyer.
A walk-in wine cellar and a sizable entertainment/games area were accessible from the foyer.
The billiards table in the center makes the game area exciting.
The billiards table in the center makes the game area exciting.
Various pieces of equipment for the gym with the appropriate level of lighting.
Various pieces of equipment for the gym with the appropriate level of lighting.
The remaining space between the volumes is transformed into a three-sided patio.
The remaining space between the volumes is transformed into a three-sided patio.
This floating planter in the center of the pool plays a crucial role in providing natural light and ventilation to the subterranean garage below.
This floating planter in the center of the pool plays a crucial role in providing natural light and ventilation to the subterranean garage below.
Sun shade is provided by horizontal aluminum fins, which also offer a little bit of privacy from the street and the neighboring properties.
Sun shade is provided by horizontal aluminum fins, which also offer a little bit of privacy from the street and the neighboring properties.
A charming drawing of the house's design.
A charming drawing of the house’s design.

For our clients, their dream house would also be their definitive family home. It had to have an urban presence while having an open yet secure exterior space with sufficient privacy from the street. With a no expense to be spared mandate, the architect was given a large wish list that included a 6-car garage and a 25m long pool.

The elevated plot sits 4m above the street level and is surrounded by dense residential development. The eventual solution comes from a reconciliation of inherent constraints with opportunities embedded within the site and program. A visually heavy base platform is expressed by slate-covered terraced planters.

Two distinct cantilevered volumes form the visible massing and embracing wings of the house which are pushed to the urban set-back limits of the site. The separated volumes are connected by a central circulation core. A three-sided courtyard is formed from the residual space between the volumes.

A glass lift and see-through staircase that winds around the transparent shaft vertically connect the various programmatic elements. The exterior facade is cladded in beige & silver travertine, and contrasted with black basalt stone. Horizontal aluminum fins provide sun shading and provide a modicum of privacy from the street and the adjacent properties.

The experience on entry into the subterraneous garage is private and cocooned from the exterior. The stone and materials within the garage are cave-like but the procession to the main entrance further reveals textural changes in the architectural finishes, revealing smooth honed travertine walls and floors. The entrance foyer led to a walk-in wine cellar and a large entertainment cum games room.

Naturally, the entrance also leads one upwards to the next level, and the views expand outwards and upwards but are focusing on the single Frangipani tree floating in the central courtyard. A vital role of this floating planter in the middle of the swimming pool is that it also allows daylight and natural ventilation to the basement garage below.

The main living and dining areas are on this first-story level. Below are the garage and the entertainment den, where family and friends come together. The second story houses all the bedrooms and a private study. The top floor has an accessible roof deck and garden, providing a boundless, alfresco space that overlooks the surrounding neighborhood and has views toward the city in the distance.

By Jon Dykstra · See their LinkedIn.