House of Harmony
SITUATED ON A FAMILY COMPOUND, THIS LIGHT-FILLED ABODE DRINKS IN VERDANT VIEWS WHILE OFFERING SHARED SPACES FOR MULTIGENERATIONAL BONDING
Situated on a family compound, this bright and airy home is filled with social spaces for multigenerational bonding
Four years ago, the married owners of this bungalow moved into their new nest with their baby boy. Since then, many of life’s special moments have passed within this bright and airy abode at Third Avenue, making home a really sweet home— with the bonus of being a stone’s throw away from their extended family. Inspired by the pentagonal shape of a ski lodge, this striking house is one of three interconnected homes built on the same compound. “It was a shared decision to stay close to one another—to enjoy elements of communal living while having the privacy of our own residence,” explains the wife, whose family shares the property with her sister’s family and their parents. This was the site of the original family home where the sisters grew up. After the latter started families of their own, their parents felt the bungalow was too empty for two of them and suggested replacing it with new abodes for all three families. “It’s hard to find three adjacent units in Singapore, and cluster housing has its limitations as you can’t dictate the style or size of the building,” explains the wife, an entrepreneur in the creative field. “So this became the best option to personalise our own space while living within a single plot of land.”
FLOATING VILLAS
The families looked to architecture firm RT+Q to design an ideal environment for harmonious multigenerational living. The brief was to construct three abodes, distinct from one another, that would be interconnected through communal spaces such as a co-working zone, a play area for the children and a pool. At the start of the project, Bali-styled homes were en vogue, but the family wished to steer as far away from that trend as possible. Instead, they opted for abodes inspired by European winter lodges in terms of proportions and style, situated within a tropical context. “Balinese style was really not my thing—and all three families came to the consensus that it wasn’t what we wanted,” says the wife.
Led by architect Koh Sock Mui, the design team proposed a barn-like structure that alludes to its winter inspiration, as well as an L-shaped scheme that connects the three homes. “With such a sprawling compound, we wanted to ensure that the architecture remained light and open,” explains Koh. “The three barns were designed to ‘float’ above the white feature walls, which are the common unifying element across the three buildings.”
COSY QUARTERS
When it came to the interiors of each abode, the families took on completely separate schemes to suit their individual styles. The entrepreneurial sister took a hands-on approach—together with her restaurateur husband, she selected every piece and decorative element to fit the Scandinavian style that they adored. For one, the couple opted for light oak flooring to pair with the white walls and a neutral palette. “My husband and I have a very similar aesthetic,” she explains. “We knew what we liked—we’re all about being simple and contemporary. We love big, open spaces with high ceilings, like a New York-style loft.” She adds, “We didn’t want the kind of home where you have to tiptoe around. I like pieces with that ease about them.”
OPEN BORDERS
On the first floor of the couple’s home, the open-plan concept felt like a natural fit. “I love it, because there’s no separation between the living and dining zones,” explains the homeowner. “Father and son could be playing their games in the living area while I’m at the
kitchen island doing work or cooking.” It is decorated in a neutral palette, paired with a sleek glass dining table, white chairs and a leather sofa in cream. A lean cantilevered staircase leads up to the second storey, where the bedrooms are situated. In the master bedroom, a Bonaldo bed takes pride of place in the snug space: “I like how the headboard curves in, wrapping you in a warm embrace,” she says. In contrast, the son’s room takes on a more colourful theme, with cheerful stickers of animals decorating the walls. The master bathroom was another passion project, as the wife had a clear idea about how she wanted the space to look. “I wanted a very spacious bathroom that withstands the test of time,” she says. “I like having a dressing table, and a seat within a bathroom, hence the cushion and the headboard to create that softness.” She chose to clad the entire bathroom in travertine tiles: “I love travertine, as it’s a little imperfect.” Looking at her cosy abode, the proud owner sums it up: “I love everything about our home. There is so much open space—all the kids that visit are drawn to our home, as it gives them the freedom to run around.”