OUR DESIGN LANGUAGE

At READ Architecture, we do not subscribe to any particular style or trend. To quote one of the pioneers of modernist architecture - Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, “We must understand the motives and forces of our time and analyze their structure from three points of view: the material, the functional, and the spiritual. We must make clear in what respects our epoch differs from others and in what respects it is similar.”

Working from the macro to the micro scale, we believe God is in the details. We care about each distinct design element, the structure / floor / wall / ceiling / roof / door / window / façade / balcony / corridor / bathroom / staircase / furniture, and most importantly, how it all comes together to form a coherent whole.

To create the best house design in Singapore, we compose and configure these elements of design into a cohesive design language that responds to each project’s specific site context. We craft these elements into volumetric spaces, designing with light/shadow, space, transparency, materiality, and order in mind.

A consistent design language should not be confused with a well-known style. This approach has not, in any way, hindered the potential to layer a process- and concept-oriented approach into our design practice.

By having a design language, we can incorporate local idiosyncrasies of climate, culture, and place, regardless of where the project sites are located globally. Working with a coherent design language enables a resolution of the dialogue between universality and regional specificity.

Our architects get to know the people who will live in the planned house. From our client's needs, the rest will follow. Our space planning goes through a process of refinement by engaging our clients in a design dialogue.

To craft a customised solution for the best house design in Singapore for our clients, our design philosophy is a balance of form and function to achieve Design Practicality. Through a rigorous sense of inquiry, READ Architecture engages each project as an opportunity to create Social Sustainability in terms of place-making, and contextualization, and is sensitive towards the use of materials and construction techniques.

Modern House Design in Singapore:

Our modern house design takes into consideration that spaces are designed to be viewed and experienced. Through a series of choreographed processions that activate and reorientate the axis of perception, users experience views of landscaped vistas or enjoy open spaces. The phenomenological method focuses on the user's experience of spatial qualities. Architectural elements form the built environment as well as the interstitial spaces between. Land plots are generally rectangular, and when not, we transform the odd parcels into pockets of spatial surprise or create landscape features through design. Our modern house design in Singapore seeks to achieve a modern tropicality in response to our tropical climate. We learn from our Asian vernaculars and reinterpret them into a modern design language. We value both the internal and external qualities of space, designing the thresholds of spatial experiences.

At READ Architecture, we believe as Louis Kahn so aptly described, that Architecture is the thoughtful making of space. Our approach to design is volumetric. In all our house designs, we craft spaces in plans and sections for our clients’ stories to unfold within. We believe spaces speak volumes about how we live, work, and play; and it is READ in the Architecture.

Definitions of house types

Good Class Bungalow / Detached / Semi-Detached / Corner Terrace / Inter Terrace

Bungalow House Design in Singapore:

A bungalow is a detached landed house that does not share any common building walls with the neighbouring plots. According to the URA master plan zoning, detached houses may be built in any landed housing area or residential use zones.

The criteria for detached house bungalows are more relaxed as compared to Good Class Bungalows (GCBs). For example, the minimum plot size for a detached house is 400m2 with a minimum plot width of 10m wide, and site coverage of 50%. For a Good Class Bungalow house design, the minimum plot size is 1400m2 with a minimum plot width of 18.5m, and site coverage of 40%. Authorities’ setback controls also vary between detached bungalows and Good Class Bungalow house design.

In Singapore, there are a total of 39 Good Class Bungalow Areas (GCBA), the majority of which are located within the central region. Some landed house areas fall within Special Control Areas. This means that the bungalow house design is subject to additional visual and roof screening requirements.

Semi-Detached House Designs in Singapore:

A semi-detached house is defined as one of a pair of houses that share a common party wall. The pair of semi-detached houses may share either a side common party wall or a back common party wall. The minimum land plot size required is 200m2, with a minimum plot width of 8m wide. This minimum plot size and dimensions also apply to corner terrace type 1 houses.

Semi-detached houses enjoy open space on 3 of the 4 elevations of the house. For the typical 2.5-storey semi-detached house, this means the semi-detached house design may cater for an abundance of natural light and natural ventilation in the spaces within.

When a landed house is zoned as a 3-storey residential, homeowners may effectively maximise this by constructing up to 3.5 storeys. However, the 3.5-storey house is subject to SCDF fire safety requirements as it is deemed a 4-storey building under SCDF guidelines. This means the house may have restrictions on the total amount of glass windows/openings allowed on the façade design.

In cases where the pair of semi-detached houses meet the plot size and width requirements, homeowners may redevelop their semi-detached houses into bungalow detached houses.

Terrace House Design in Singapore:

Terrace Type 1 and Terrace Type 2 are the two different forms of terrace houses in Singapore. The key differences between the two types are the required setbacks from their respective boundaries. This is because Terrace Type 1 has a minimum land plot size of 150m2, whereas Terrace Type 2’s minimum land plot size is 80m2. Hence Type 2 has more relaxed setback requirements.

Terrace houses are defined as a row of at least 3 houses side by side. Intermediate terrace houses share a common boundary party wall with neighbouring units and are typically 2 or 3 storeys high. Having only the front and back facades, and being constrained by the common party walls, intermediate terraces are typically dark and lack natural ventilation.

To address these issues for our terrace house design in Singapore, READ Architecture emphasizes designing in sections. Our goal is to maximise natural light and air in the overall house design.

LANDED HOUSE ARCHITECT

The advantages of employing professional and experienced architect services

Design and construction are complex processes that few people realise until they are overwhelmed by the immense number of options and information pertaining to design, building regulations, authorities’ requirements, contractors, and so on. Whether you intend to reside in your newly built home or maximise its investment potential, a house needs to be well planned and designed to be functional and timeless.

In Singapore, an Architect is a designer who has had 5 years of formal education and work experience on Rebuild Landed Property Singapore projects and has passed a series of rigorous examinations and interviews before they become Registered Architects with the Board of Architects (BOA), Singapore. Every practising architect will have a BOA number and is recognised as a Qualified Person to make authorities’ submissions when engaged by owners/developers.

A QP is required for almost all forms of construction activity. The basic consulting team for development typically consists of an architect, a civil and structural engineer, a mechanical and electrical engineer, and a quantity surveyor. As architects, we are the lead consultant of the team and ensure that all aspects of the project design are coordinated and executed according to specifications on site.

READ Architecture specialises as landed house architect in Singapore. We can provide design and technical advice on all aspects of house designs, especially regarding authorities’ requirements. We listen to our client's requirements and propose bespoke design solutions to meet the brief.

Our design philosophy is a balance of form and function to achieve Design Practicality. We focus on good design and practicality. A good balance between aesthetics and functional performance is the cornerstone of any design project. Get in touch with a design professional that will advise and guide you through the process of building your dream house in Singapore.

Our Pre-design stage services include helping our clients purchase BCA as-built drawings and the necessary service interpretation plans from various agencies. We also conduct site visits to conduct visual inspections of the property. Once we get to know the property parameters, we advise clients with a feasibility outline for the Rebuild Landed Property Singapore project and we assist to formulate the client's brief.

Once we have the client’s brief, we produce design options in the form of sketches, plans/sections, and 3D visualizations, and involve our clients in design workshops to refine the spatial planning and design based on the feedback and discussions. We believe it is important for our clients to partake in the discussion to achieve a design that is crafted to suit their particular preferences.

Once the overall architectural design has been finalized, we coordinate the design with the other consultants, such as the structural engineer and the mechanical and electrical engineer. Once the various disciplines have been designed, we proceed to make submissions to the relevant authorities and agencies.

At READ Architecture as landed house architects in Singapore, we believe in transparency for our clients, we invite reliable builders to tender for the project. We prepare the tender drawings and specifications to ensure our clients’ requirements are adequately captured. By developing a good set of tender drawings and documents, we set a baseline for a fair comparison of costs and evaluate the tender offers for our clients. Everyone has a wish list, and everyone has a budget. During the tender process, we also assist in proposing value engineering options and alternatives to help manage our clients’ budgets.

During construction, on behalf of our clients, we administer the building contract and monitor site progress against the construction programme. We hold regular site meetings and inspections to ensure works are carried out in accordance with authorities’ requirements and the design intent. As project lead, we facilitate coordination between builders, consultants and specialists/suppliers, and check to ensure works done are according to specifications. As a design and build firm, we can follow through with every project from construction commencement at the site, up to completion and obtaining TOP/CSC for project handover.

A project with good planning will save money, stress and time. As professionals, we provide a valued service. Engage an experienced landed house architect in Singapore from READ Architecture so that we may help design and build your dream home.

CONSERVATION ARCHITECT

An introduction to Conservation buildings in Singapore

In Singapore, the URA Conservation department is the regulatory body that oversees more than 7,000 conserved buildings in Singapore.

National Heritage Board and URA Conservation protect and govern our national monuments. To date, there are 75 national monuments, each a vital part of our built heritage. They have been bestowed the highest level of protection in Singapore.

Types of Conservation Work – Conservation properties

Category 1

The proposed works impact and affect key elements of the conserved building. They have a major impact on the architectural character and spatial and structural integrity of the heritage building. Works that fall within this category will need a Singapore registered architect to make conservation submissions and obtain clearances from the relevant authorities’ departments.

Category 2

Where the proposed works affect key elements of the conserved building to a lesser extent as compared to category 1 works, and have some impact on the architectural character and spatial and structural integrity of the heritage building, the submissions are required to be made by a Qualified Person (QP) who is either a Registered Architect or a Professional Engineer.

Category 3

This category of works refers to any proposed works that are minimal and localized and/or for repair and maintenance of the conserved building. These submissions need not be made by a Qualified Person (QP).

Types of Preservation works – National Monuments

Each of our national monuments has a special set of preservation guidelines specific to each heritage structure. They need special care and attention and are required to be up-kept for our future generations to enjoy. As stated in the Preservation of Monuments Act, owners and occupiers of a gazetted National Monument have a responsibility to maintain the property. As each monument is unique, READ Architecture would be happy to provide advice and help to national monument owners who are considering any maintenance and restoration works.  

When in doubt, it is always advisable to seek advice from the authorities or feel free to enquire with our conservation architects at READ Architecture.

Our philosophy and approach to our architectural legacy are to create a dialogue between the old and the new. This is to foster a sense of heritage and charm whilst integrating modern functionalities. We pay special attention to materials and techniques. Through conservation, we learn from our built heritage and it inspires innovation and new ways of thinking about and approaching the built environment. Through adaptive reuse, we practice sustainability in our design.

Rather than confining our attention to individual structures, we participate in modern heritage practice, adopting a holistic, place-based approach and acknowledging intangible communal values such as language, skills, and customs.

Our Conservation and Heritage Design Services

Complexity is common in the fields of conservation and heritage design. READ Architecture has expert designers and conservation architects who are familiar with the challenges involved in restoring historic structures and redeveloping historic neighbourhoods.

READ Architecture provides Architectural Conservation, Restoration, and Research services including Historical Research, Architectural Heritage Surveys, Heritage Impact Assessments, and Design Evaluations.

As Singapore Registered Architects, we can make the necessary URA conservation submissions and assemble a team of consultants to meet the project needs. We also have experience in obtaining approvals from National Heritage Board for national monument projects.

READ Architecture – Conservation architect services

READ Architecture provides comprehensive architectural services for preserving and restoring historic structures. These abilities also apply to planning additions and renovations to existing structures in a modern or period style that use traditional materials and skilled labour.

We collaborate with clients, stakeholders, and advisors to achieve optimal results for our clients and their cultural heritage assets. We believe it is critical to learn as much as possible about the goals of our clients and the distinctive historical value of each building or site before recommending any kind of change.

Our familiarity with both old and new building techniques, as well as our meticulous attention to detail, ensures we are well-versed in incorporating ecologically friendly and functional new technology into older structures. In particular, we excel in fusing well-crafted examples of modern architecture with older buildings.

READ Architecture is a strong advocate that heritage features have historical value. We aim to turn the art of conservation into an advantage for our clients. While some may see heritage status as a roadblock to progress, we see it as an opportunity to preserve culture and capitalise on the local histories present.

DESIGN & BUILD by ARCHITECTS

Design and Build Services

As architects, READ Architecture listens first. We establish our client's requirements and assist to formulate a design brief. We produce design options in the form of sketches, plans/sections, and 3D visualizations. We involve our clients in design workshops to refine the design based on feedback and discussions.

Once the overall architectural design has been finalized, we proceed to make submissions to the relevant authorities and agencies.

As we believe in transparency for our clients, we invite reliable builders to tender for the project. We also prepare the tender drawings and specifications to ensure our clients’ requirements are adequately captured. By developing a good set of tender drawings and documents, we set a baseline for a fair comparison of costs and evaluate the tender offers for our clients. Everyone has a wish list, and everyone has a budget. During the tender process, we also assist in proposing value engineering options and alternatives to help manage our clients’ budgets.

During construction, on behalf of our clients, we administer the building contract and monitor site progress against the construction programme. We hold regular site meetings and inspections to ensure works are carried out in accordance with authorities’ requirements and the design intent. As project lead, we facilitate coordination between builders, consultants and specialists/suppliers, and check to ensure works done are according to specifications. As a design and build firm, we follow through with every project from construction commencement at the site, up to completion and obtaining TOP/CSC for project handover.

Architect-led Design & Build Benefits:

When the project is led by an architect, clients can finetune and finalize their desired designs upfront. In this way, we minimize future design-related changes during construction which in turn minimizes abortive costs during construction.

When you consult with professional architects, we can provide technical answers and explanations regarding authorities’ requirements and are in the best position to provide creative solutions to technical matters, during the phases of design, submissions and construction.

At READ Architecture, we are professionals who prioritize and represent our clients first. We then work with all parties involved to achieve a quality design and build project.

What we offer?

READ Architecture, as Singaporean consultants, offers services in design and construction. Our services are customised to the client's specific requirements, whether for a private home or a large commercial building. Our design and build services begin with a thorough understanding of the project's requirements, which we use to guide the creation of detailed blueprints and specifications. From there, we establish a team to manage the project's design and development to align with the client's needs, specifications and budget.

A&A works

"A&A works" refers to the construction procedure in which a homeowner modifies an already-built and equipped home. Modifications can be made by replacing or enhancing worn parts or adding new features.

While the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) of Singapore recognises many parallels between A&A and reconstruction work, they are distinguishable enough to warrant two distinct classifications. The A&A work consists of modest fixes, while the reconstruction is a plan to replace a sizable portion of the building. The amount on which they have built separates them from one another.

Modifying the roof structure, adding new roofing or stairs, constructing new walls, and refurbishing historic buildings are all examples of addition and alteration work. If you're planning on having any renovations or additions done in Singapore, READ Architecture is here to walk you through each step. We will go through the design process with you and obtain the necessary approvals from the various authorities and agencies.

We are A&A specialists that can assist you, whether you operate a business or want to carry out a home extension project. We are a capable design and build firm to handle your renovation and extension projects. Feel free to make a project inquiry with us at "Read Architecture".

Rebuild semi detached house in Singapore:

A semi detached house is defined as one of a pair of houses that share a common party wall. The pair of semi detached houses may share either a side common party wall or a back common party wall. The minimum land plot size required is 200m2, with a minimum plot width of 8m wide. In cases where the pair of semi detached houses meet the plot size and width requirements, homeowners may rebuild semi detached house into a detached bungalow house.

Whether the objective of rebuilding the landed house architect is to maximise gross floor area for investment or to build your dream home, READ Architecture will take you through the entire process from the conceptualisation of design to construction completion.

LANDED PROPERTY RENOVATION IN SINGAPORE:

To rebuild one’s house means to demolish the existing house and build a new house. To rebuilding a landed property is a complex process. As a design and build firm, READ Architecture takes a systematic approach to rebuilding landed property in Singapore. To build a well-designed house, the design has to be developed together with other building professionals, such as structural engineers and mechanical engineers. Architects as lead consultants, we assist to form a team of professional consultants for our clients, to ensure the various elements are well coordinated to achieve the desired design outcome.

READ Architecture ensures that the house design complies with Singapore’s authorities’ requirements. We prepare submission drawings for all the various agencies and departments to obtain the necessary approvals and clearances required for the project.

During construction, as project lead, we facilitate coordination between builders, consultants and specialists/suppliers, and check to ensure works done are according to specifications. We follow through with every project from construction commencement at the site, up to completion and obtaining TOP/CSC for project handover.