THE
ORGANIC HOUSE
"Strategically situated on the uphill of Canterbury Road, this dwelling that is home to a humble couple, redefines the ideal paradigm of a modern tropical living. Its design calls for those who seek for serenity, a slow-paced living and more intimacy and bonding with their loved ones. It is a place for restoration in nature; a romantic notion that historically underlies the construction of nearly every weekend retreat among families."
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Surrounded by lush greeneries, the house boasts a breathtaking view over the valley, catching all the scenic panoramas and its marvelous natural milieu. With fairly few surrounding houses, it seemingly separates itself from the hustle and bustle of the city, thus giving the couple a secluded deposition while living in it.
The house itself, however, also provides spaces for meaningful interactions to occur with the couple’s family during their visit during the weekends. The decks hovering above the lower storey acts as the prime location for family bonding, equipped with barbeque pit facilities and spacious room for relaxation and entertainment. The irony of needing privacy without compromising freedom is dealt with tactfully in the design.​
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The house incorporates the philosophy of Organic Architecture, which originated from one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s finest masterpieces – Falling Water, rooting on the humble notion to integrate the natural environment into architecture. The dwelling sublimes the integration of building and nature with its tall glass windows that diminishes the boundaries between both environments. Cantilevering decks are accentuated to express the firmness in which the structure stands. Deep in the lush of the surrounding greeneries, trees line the perimeters of the private gardens. It embodies a powerful ideal – that people today can learn to live in harmony with nature.
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Figure: The formation of the house is done through the study of Tara Donovan’s – Transplanted art piece.
The house aims to blend in with its surrounding terrain, indirectly mimicking Tara’s masterpiece – Transplanted; continuation of the topographical terrains.
The transitive flowing movement of push and pull accentuates the growth of the house, coupled with the gradual increase in the spatial quality, seemingly stretching the house into the tumbling plains like a molten lava.
The bedroom is remotely hidden from plain sight and sunken underground so that the feeling of protectiveness overwhelms and encourages private moments. Designed to fit the routines of the family that enjoyed contemplative time indoors, reading and good conversation, as well as vigorous exercise out of doors, its asymmetrical open plan was ideal for their informal weekend life. The family could enjoy a peaceful evening reading at the study, which is subtly elevated above ground and overlooking into the valley ahead. They could also then wake up to the view of their own private garden. Overall, the highlight of the house remains the feature to overview a panoramic view of the wide, undulating hills from every part of the house.
Cascading as viewed from the east, calm and serene from the south, thrusting and dynamic from below on the west. Kinetic sculpture representing water as a flowing, falling liquid.
Planes parallel to the earth in buildings, do most to make the buildings belong to the ground.
But unlike the ground, it hangs out in space, the earth beneath it having eroded away.
Built in the tropical climate of sunny Singapore, the house embraces several tropical strategies. Large window openings are optimized towards the Northern and Southern façade to maximize the views towards the valley, while the Eastern and Western facades are often equipped with vertical louvres to shield the house away from heat.
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February 2018
October 2017
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