empty building lot some 30ft. below. The northern outlook is most attrac- tive, with an unobstructed view of the golf course of the Island Club about
half a mile away.
Apart from his requirements re- garding accommodation, the owner also demanded that his house must have a pitched roof. On examination of the site, the architects concluded that a conventional double pitched roof would not be aesthetically suitable. Complex form
The inherent dramatic nature of the elevated site, with its backdrop of green rubber trees, indicated that the design of the house should have a much more sculptural approach, consisting of a fairly complex form. This con- clusion fitted in with the client's wish for a non-conventional house and analysis of the room space require- ments revealed that these could be articulated into distinct volumes and could be assembled together in a build- ing form which offered the opportunity to realise the sculptural approach.
The pitched roofs were resolved into four main elements of the form and are pitched in different directions, creating a varied external appearance. The four elements are arranged around a central circulation space, consisting of the staircase, landing and double height space which together form the hub of the house.
Bedrooms are located on the upper floor and radiate from the central space, an offshoot of which is also used as the private family room.
On the ground floor the living area is below the main bedroom. Its longest side opens on to a large terrace with a covered patio, forming a pleasant tran- sition between the living room and the lawn. A barbeque pit of cut granite is designed as a natural extension of the terrace, which has a small pool with rock garden, planting and a small fountain.
The dining space adjacent to the living room is elevated 2ft. 6in. This arrangement allows an unobstructed view from the dining room towards the garden and beyond.
Generous provision is made for the service area for kitchen and laundry, which is visually separated from the main living areas. From the service area there is a separate entrance direct- ly accessible to the outside for trades- men and service callers.
The entrance hall has a double height to relate spacially with the living area on the ground floor and the land- ing hall on the upper floor. Car parking
Living room seen from the terrace
for two vehicles is provided just off the main entrance.
Construction
The soil condition is good, consist- ing of high quality laterite. Construc- tion consists of a reinforced concrete structural frame with brick infilling. No piling was necessary.
Mass concrete is used for the ground floor, while the upper floor is of sus- pended reinforced concrete slabs. The roof is supported by timber purlins and battens. All the main gutters are con- crete, with tubular steel rainwater pipes which stop just below the first floor level. Rainwater falls freely into con- crete water catchers below.
All concrete and brick infilling is plastered and painted white both in- ternally and externally. In striking contrast the pitched roofs are clad in dark blue glazed tiles. These two colours are set against the green background of thickly planted rubber trees.
Timber in natural finish is used for ceiling and infil panels, doors and windows.
All the rooms on the first floor are finished with teak parquet. Living and dining areas on the ground floor are white in-situ terrazzo. Mosaic is used for bathrooms, garage and other ser- vice areas.
The cost of the building, landscape and furniture was approximately US$
Zi
Double space from the entrance hall
30,000. This sum excludes the cost of the land, mechanical equipment and professional fees.
Contractors
Overseas Construction Co. Ltd. were the main contractors.
Sub-contractors and suppliers in-
cluded:
Lee Seng Bee - electrical works Capricorn (M) Ltd., Scott & English, and Seng Hup Electric light fittings Tan Seng Kwang water heaters Watts & Baker sanitary fittings Kwong Kum Sun Chan - glass Singapore Garden - planting and
pool.
Far East BUILDER, March 1969
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