two slices of concrete

Project/ Status:
Residential (New Erection), Completed

Location:
Coldstream Avenue, Singapore

The design journey for this deep and narrow semi-detached house, with a plot ratio of one to four, centers on addressing both the owners' concerns and desires. The owners feared that building upwards within such a confined footprint would result in a monotonous series of rooms and dark, elongated corridors. In addition to the basic need for well-ventilated and evenly lit spaces, the young family required flexibility in the design to accommodate future changes in room sizes and configurations.

Maximizing openness and spatial expansiveness became key guiding principles for the design. Volumetrically, the house is conceived as a series of blocks punctuated by tapering atriums and light shafts, ensuring that no corner remains dark or isolated. The tapering atriums, with wider openings at the top, allow the vertically stacked floors to work in harmony, enabling sunlight to filter through the levels rather than compete for it. This design also creates visual connections between family members on different floors, fostering interaction and a sense of connection. The spaces around the tapered atrium benefit from this new dynamic, offering both a sense of openness and a connection to the outdoors.

The narrow site inspired a breakthrough in the design through the adoption of a slim, unified structural element. Two slices of grey off-form concrete walls extend the length of the house, anchoring it to the ground while serving as a consistent feature element throughout. Acting as the primary structural support, these walls allow the internal partitions to function as temporary dividers, making it easy to remodel spaces and adjust room sizes as needed.

The house is ultimately conceived as a play of voids and volumes. By embracing both the constraints of the site and the desires of the owners, the design transforms a narrow, confined space into a modern, adaptable sanctuary—one that fosters connection, flexibility, and an ever-changing sense of possibility.

Photography: Fabian Ong