Architect: Mr. Aamer Taher, Principal of Aamer Architects
Project Team Members: Mr. Albert Yeo, Mr. Ryan Kim
Completed: 2016
Land / Built-up area : 349 m2 / 448 m2
Civil & Structural Engineer: S B Ng Pte Ltd
Quantity Surveyor: BKG Consultants Pte Ltd
Main Contractor: Heng Chiang Pte Ltd
Landscape: Owner
Photographer: Mr. Sanjay Kewlani
Interior Designer: Aamer Architects
About Aamer Taher
Aamer Taher has been practicing as an Architect since the mid-’90s, upon his return from the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London and after several years of practice in prestigious firms like Michael Hopkins of London and SAA of Singapore.
As a designer, Aamer is inspired by nature, context, and culture and is determined that Architecture needs to improve lives with as minimal impact on the environment as possible.
Aamerโs designs are well known for their โflair and curvesโ as he views every project as a work of Art, conceived through thorough appreciation of site, context, and brief forming an interesting โdialogueโ between man and nature.
While in professional practice, Aamer served as a Council member of the Singapore Institute of Architects and taught at the School of Architecture, National University of Singapore. He has a diverse portfolio of projects ranging from luxury houses, master plans, condominiums, and mixed
developments to hotels, resorts, clubs, and restaurants in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, and the Maldives.
One of Aamerโs clients described his works as โhaute architectureโ in the sense that they are like โhaute coutureโ or โhaute cuisineโ, custom- and tailor-made to each discerning individualโฆ.. thus all uniquely different from each other.
RAW n REFINE
Located in front of a bus-stop at a junction of a minor road and a busy main road, this reconstruction of a small bungalow house is attracting attention from the community for its dynamic form and interesting use of materials.
The unique combination of raw off-form concrete and finely crafted solid teak screens from Bali veils and protects the house from its harsh urban environment without compromising on views, natural light, and ventilation.
Solid boundary walls and landscaping mitigate the traffic noise from the main road while providing an intriguing visual delight to bus drivers, passengers, and passersby.
The grand double volume living room, surrounded by a mezzanine study, library, and corridors improve the connection between occupants and gives the living space a dynamic interactive quality.
At ground level, the internal spaces of the house blend easily with the outdoor decks, gardens, and swimming pool, which also provides passive cooling to the house.
The master bedroom located in the attic enjoys the comfort of deep overhangs, plenty of natural light, and long distant views, not typical of such a dense urban site.
Interior Design
The mezzanine study area and library benefit from the natural light and the view of the outdoor greenery through the glass shelve wall. Dark stained plywood was used for the fixed interiors as an economical option blending in with the more costly solid hardwoods used elsewhere.
The construction detailing and materials used for the house are such as to fit the Ownerโs style making good use of his extensive existing furniture collection. The house was designed not for specific furnishings but rather to be flexible and โneutralโ enough allowing the interiors to evolve over time if needed.
For example, the outdoor timber bench, recycled from old railway sleepers, blends quite well with the raw concrete and other timber textures of the house.