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READ ARCHITECTURE / WORK
READ ARCHITECTURE / WORK
Terrace House Modern Design
House Type: Inter-Terrace House
Project Type: Demolish & New Build
No. of Storeys: 2.5 Storeys
Land Size: under 2000 sft
House @ JM
Inserted into the middle of a row of existing houses, House @ JM is a narrow house of 6.0m wide and 21.0m long. The house shares party walls with adjoining neighbours on either side. Typologically, an intermediate terrace is similar to a traditional shophouse. Both consist of long and narrow plots, sandwiched between party walls. Adapting from vernacular shophouses, we introduce a light well into the house. We design a 3-storey light-well atrium space at the centre of the house, thereby introducing natural daylight into the heart of the dining / living spaces on the usually dark 1st storey of an intermediate terrace.
All bedrooms are positioned to the front and back peripherals of the house to maximize light and air to all rooms. The structural columns are sensitively located on the perimeters of the house footprint. In the interior of the house, the columns also become a feature that frames the main entrance. Columns also subtly demarcate and frame the dining area within the open-plan space.
The spatial organization of the house is activated by an asymmetrical configuration of the staircase. At the 1st storey, it begins as a straight staircase along the party wall. This emphasizes the length of the 15m long open plan living, dining, and flexible family space. Upon entering the house, the high ceiling creates a sense of volume and light. The young couple spends quality time with their children together with extended family members in this open living space.
As the staircase ascends to the 2nd and attic floors, it creates little seating corners at the landings. This gives individuals a private corner to read or daydream. The landings lead to a bridge connecting the front and back of the house. After crossing the atrium light well, one enters a spacious master bedroom suite with a walk-in wardrobe on the second floor and a family lounge area on the attic floor.
This central void is a triple-volume space. It is topped by a skylight at the roof level that brings light into the main living spaces at the 1st storey. Low-E glass is specified to reduce heat gain in living spaces. Whilst the aluminum trellis provides shade from the harsh glares of the noon sun. The light-filled volume creates a window to the sky; it is the main feature of this inter-terrace house around which, the rest of the living spaces have been organized. The circulation of the house intersects the void, where the staircase and bridge appear to float in the void, creating an airy atmosphere.
Screens are fixed features in the interior of the house. The trellis at the skylights filters light into the space, casting dynamic shadows. Together with the staircase’s vertical screens and integrated motion-activated lighting design, there is an interplay of light and shadow. This transforms the experience of the space, over the course of the day and night as one moves about the house.
These features transform the void into a ‘positive’ volume within the heart of the house. Here, space & structure, light & shadow, and materiality are assembled and crafted into a spatial experience that is poetic functionality.
Another staple in vernacular tropical houses is the large roof overhangs and canopies. They act as sun shading devices to filter out the harshness of our tropicality. Here, these elements are configured into a series of portal frames to accentuate the verticality of the front of the house. The architectural elements form a modern design language and vocabulary. This results in a reinterpretation of the tropical vernacular house in today’s modern context.
In conclusion, House @ JM is a stunning example of how vernacular architectural elements can be adapted and reinterpreted to create a unique and modern design. The introduction of a 3-storey light-well atrium space at the center of the house not only brings natural daylight into the heart of the living spaces but also becomes the main feature around which the rest of the house is organized. The asymmetrical configuration of the staircase creates private corners and leads to a spacious master bedroom suite with a walk-in wardrobe and a family lounge area. The use of screens, such as the trellis at the skylights and the staircase's vertical screens, creates an interplay of light and shadow that transforms the experience of the space. The large roof overhangs and canopies, configured into a series of portal frames, accentuate the verticality of the front of the house and form a modern design language and vocabulary. Ultimately, House @ JM celebrates the spatial experience and story of the vernacular shophouse typology and reimagines it for contemporary living.
At READ Architecture, our approach to design is volumetric. We craft spaces for our client’s stories to unfold within. We believe spaces speak volumes about how we live, work, and play; and it is READ in the Architecture.
GCB House Modern Design
Residential Good-Class Bungalow
(Pre-READ, by Yvonne S.Z. Tan @ SCDA Architects.)
House Type: Good-Class Bungalow
Project Type: Demolish & New Build
No. of Storeys: 2.5 Storeys & Basement
Land Size: under 20,000 sft
GCB Conservation House Modern Design
Residential Conservation Good-Class Bungalow
(Pre-READ, by Yvonne S.Z. Tan @ SCDA Architects.)
House Type: Good-Class Bungalow
Project Type: Conservation House & Reconstruction Extension
No. of Storeys: 2.5 Storeys
Land Size: under 20,000 sft
Corner Terrace House Modern Design
House Type: Corner Terrace House
Project Type: Demolish & New Build
No. of Storeys: 3.5 Storeys
Land Size: under 2500 sft
House @ RT
The client provided a clear brief to design a 3.5-storey corner terrace house on a long plot of land with a slanted triangular frontage. The design should maximize the GFA built-up area, prioritize rectangular-shaped bedrooms, and ensure privacy from neighbors. We positioned the vertical core towards the rear of the house on the ground plane, segmenting the house into front and back. The front segment has more spacious proportions than the back. We designed the core to contain the household shelter, the lift, and the staircase while keeping it compact.
Upon entering the house, an open-plan spacious living and dining area welcomes visitors. No space was left unused, and a minibar occupies the nook under the staircase landing to serve the dining area. Under the other side of the staircase is a powder bathroom for guests. At the dining area, the staircase draws the eye upwards, to reveal an impressive 8m high double-volume space, where the family entertains.
An internal double-volume space is introduced to create a carefully choreographed stepped profile in section, imbuing the abode with a sense of spatial dynamism. As a result of this stratagem, the main living quarters gradually expand in size as they ascend vertically, creating a sense of volumetric progression internally. This particular design maneuver is a thoughtful response to the context of the site, where privacy and panoramic views of the surrounding vista are most pronounced from the third storey upwards.
Because of the slanted front setback, the front of the house results in a triangulated space. We pushed the bathrooms to the triangulated areas to form spacious master and junior master bathrooms, ensuring that the bedrooms achieve a squarish and regular configuration. Tinted glass provides privacy from the external while still allowing views out. When soaking in the bathtub, one enjoys views of a tranquil neighbourhood.
With the bathrooms occupying the odd-shaped area of the plot, the main suites are generously spacious and expand as they ascend. As the triangular bathrooms face the front, the suites receive light and air from the open side of the corner terrace.
The 2nd and 3rd story master suites are coupled with modest secondary rooms at the back of the house. These rooms are designed to accommodate queen-sized beds and come with ensuite bathrooms attached to walk-in-wardrobes. These secondary rooms serve the family as a quiet tuition room and a work-from-home office space, rather than bedrooms.
On the attic storey, the spatial journey to the top culminates with a scenic view of the tranquil estate. Here, the largest room serves as the family’s multipurpose activity space where parents and children spend quality time playing and learning together.
As a response to our tropical climate, taking reference from tropical vernacular architecture, the house facade incorporates horizontal canopies as sun shading devices to filter out the harshness of our tropicality. Here, these elements are configured into a series of horizontal lines that accentuate the horizontality of the side of the house. Vertical walls are sensitively positioned for privacy within and are textured with groove lines to create a balanced composition overall. The architectural elements form a modern design language and vocabulary. This results in a reinterpretation of the tropical vernacular house in today’s modern context.
In conclusion, the House @ RT is a thoughtful and responsive architecture. From the slanted triangular frontage to the carefully choreographed stepped profile in section, every aspect of this corner terrace house has been designed with a keen eye for maximizing space, ensuring privacy, and creating a sense of volumetric progression. The spacious living and dining area, the generously spacious main suites, and the multipurpose activity room on the attic storey come together to create a spatial experience that celebrates both form and function.
At READ Architecture, our approach to design is volumetric. We craft spaces 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.
Semi Detached House Modern Design
House Type: Semi Detached House
Project Type: Demolish & New Build
No. of Storeys: 3.5 Storeys
Land Size: under 3500 sft
Corner Terrace House Modern Design
House Type: Corner Terrace House
Project Type: Demolish & New Build
No. of Storeys: 3.5 Storeys
Land Size: under 2500 sft
House @ LHP
Corner Terrace House Modern Design
House Type: Corner Terrace House
Project Type: Demolish & New Build
No. of Storeys: 3.5 Storeys
Land Size: under 2500 sft
Semi Detached House Modern Design
House Type: Semi-Detached House
Project Type: Reconstruction
No. of Storeys: 2.5 Storeys
Land Size: under 3200 sft
Interior @ 70A
Our clients’ brief was simple. They want more storage space without a sense of clutter or claustrophobic, they don’t want to knock down the walls of the bedrooms and they have an incredible view they want to enjoy.
This apartment interior is conceived as an open plan of communal spaces clearly separated from the private bedrooms. The kitchen walls were hacked down to create a bright and airy kitchen. A low L-shaped wall subtly defines the kitchen and marks it with two entrances. This allows for one to enter the kitchen when the other is raiding the fridge. The dining area acts as an extension to the kitchen. The dining table is positioned on the exterior of the low wall. In the mornings, the couple enjoy their coffee with the view of lush greenery.
The living and dining area is designed as one contiguous feature space. Long linear ceiling lights help accentuate the modest 4.8m long living space. Here, we inserted a wall to wall storage unit that is designed to be suspended off the floor and detached from the slab soffit ceiling. This suspension of volume gives a sense of weightlessness to the space. The voids further enhance the living space. Above this storage unit, we use soft indirect lighting to create an ambient mood. Below the cabinets, the couple may tuck away their collection of extra stools for when guests visit. Mirrors doubling as door panels help create a larger sense of space, reflecting the open kitchen and corridor. The suspended volume stores everything from shoes, to bags, and incorporates the television console as well. The television console was especially designed to adapt to the users position, either from the comforts of the sofa or to allow for the television to be extended out perpendicularly to face the dining table.
As one moves from living space to corridor, the eye is inexplicably drawn to the floor skirting and door frames that are treated in a matte black finish. It defines the edges of architectural elements of floor, walls, and doors, creating an elegant contrast of black and soft shades of white. The frames clearly distinguish the thresholds between communal spaces, private bathrooms, and bedrooms.
Interior Design for a children’s centre
In this Children’s Centre, we designed open shelf units that act as privacy partitions from curious passersby outside, whilst maximizing natural light entering the activity spaces within.
Integrating reading seats into the partition display, the design celebrates the daily activities of the children, whilst creating a conducive environment for learning through play.
Industrial Ramp-Up Multiple-User Factory
(Pre-READ, by Yvonne S.Z. Tan @ SCDA Architects.)
