Project Information

Type:
Residential

Client:
Private

Location:
Singapore

Year:
2025

A light-filled, compact urban sanctuary that harmonises passive sustainability and visual porosity with intimate family connection.

Play House exemplifies the sophisticated transformation of an inter-terrace plot into a multi-layered, highly functional sanctuary. The design masterfully navigates urban density by prioritizing internal quality over external breadth, creating a sequence of vertical zones that maximize the utility of every square foot.

The home features an internal skylit atrium which provides more than ventilation and natural daylight. Apart from the juxtaposition of an interesting array of staircase typologies, the atrium allows for overlooking connections between the staggered floors. This promotes the ease of constant dialogues and visual connection between the different members of the family, even if they are not in the same space. At the top of the atrium, a subtly designed air outlet connects to a turbine ventilator, continuously exhausting hot air from the house without requiring electricity.

The two-storey home with an attic is designed with clear functional segregations per floor. The first storey is predominantly used by the grandfather on weekdays where he looks after his grandchild. In between engagements, he can relax at the TV lounge or take a short nap in the guest room that also doubles up as the gym for the owners. On the weekends, this floor is mostly used for the child’s indoor play activity, piano practice or children’s parties. The TV lounge keeps the young ones entertained while the adults gather at the main living space on the second floor, where the kitchen and dining spaces are also closely connected.

The second floor has a split level where a second guest room is utilised as the study, and during the active hours of the day, the family typically spends most of their time on this floor, be it for prepping a meal, catching a movie, working, or having tuition classes. Regardless of the activity, the family always maintains visual connections with each other.

On the highest floor, we managed to create a small but highly interactive swimming pool element connected to the master suite. The bay window, which is just inches above the water, acts as an extension of the pool where the owners can read a book while watching their child swim, or dip their feet into the pool from the comfort of their room.

As the access to this rooftop pool is always kept open, it allows a constant exchange of fresh air to enter the atrium from the front of the house. The master bath also enjoys the lush abundance of daylight through its own skylight that allows stargazing from the bathtub at night.