#6
#6 from Studio Wills +...
#6

#6 is an Addition and Alteration to an existing pair of semi-detached houses in the eastern part of Singapore. This pair of symmetrical houses came into stark contrast in scale when one half of the pair was rebuilt, dwarfing its twin. This spurred the owner of the other half to rebuild their house. As the same Planning Guidelines are imposed on all houses in the area, every house will be of the same height if built to what is permissible. The objective of #6 was thus to make the house appear taller than what is permissible. The permissible volume is sliced by large canopies, with ‘bands’ of vent blocks masking the floor lines, resulting in multiple stacked volumes. The placement of vent blocks of diminishing sizes from large modules in the lowest 'band' to small modules at the top accentuates the building height through false perspective. The unique deployment of vent blocks and deep overhangs, common elements in this region, resulted in a unique sculpture-like house.

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Arriving at a long drive-way of the new 'extension', a new flight of steps behind a screen wall, leading up to... (Photography by Beton Brut).
...one arrives at an elevated high ceiling Patio... (Photography by Beton Brut).
...leaving behind the Car Porch and the road. (Photography by Beton Brut).
Stepping into the Living and Dining, the existing staircase, with a new 'peek-a-boo' screen that rises over the existing atrium, connects the upper levels. (Photography by Beton Brut).
Advancing further into the house, a new covered courtyard takes central position... (Photography by Beton Brut).
...and provides visual connections. (Photography by Beton Brut).
The new 'peek-a-boo' screen conceals and reveals the proceeding spaces as one ascends the original staircase. (Photography by Beton Brut).
In the Family Area within the original house, one catches a glimpse of the Master Suite (within the new extension) and a new flight of stairs along the party wall. (Photography by Beton Brut).
In the Master Suite, a flight of steps leads up to the resting / sleeping zone elevated above its neighbours. Behind the bedhead is the Master Bath and Walk-in Wardrobe. (Photography by Beton Brut).
Placed within the 'gap', between the new extension and its adjoining neightbour, is the Master Bath that opens up to a view towards a planter. (Photography by Beton Brut).
Looking down, one retraces the path that leads up. (Photography by Beton Brut).
A new flight of stairs 'snakes' up and leads to the top-most floor... (Photography by Beton Brut).
...to the new attic with a view angled to the main thoroughfare and away from its immediate neighbour. (Photography by Beton Brut).
The unique deployment of readily available ventilation blocks and simple climatic devices such as deep overhangs in #6 resulted in a sculptural quality for the new extension. (Photography by Beton Brut).
As the sun sets, light seeps through from the interior to accentuate the floating planes and perforated 'boxes'. (Photography by Beton Brut).
The rebuilding of its neighbour (other half of this pair of semi-detached house) dwarfed the original house and owner wanted a new house to be comparable if not taller than its neighbour; this became the starting point of #6.
As the same planning parameters are applicable to all houses within the neighbourhood, the new ‘extension’ will be of the same height and volume as its neighbours if they are all rebuilt to the maximum allowable. The challenge was to make a new front ‘extension’ that appears taller then allowable and the design, in particular the elevational design, strived to address that.
The permissible building volume is sliced by large canopies, with floor lines masked behind ‘bands’ of ventilation blocks formed by the amalgamation of clerestory windows and parapet walls in this building material, resulting in a house with multiple stacked volumes. The placement of ventilation blocks of diminishing sizes from the largest modules within the lowest 'band' to the smallest modules in the topmost 'band', accentuates the building height through false perspectives.
Lower and Upper 1st Storey Layout Plans.
Lower and Upper 2nd Storey Layout Plans.
Attic and Roof Plans.
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#6

#6 is an Addition and Alteration to an existing pair of semi-detached houses in the eastern part of Singapore. This pair of symmetrical houses came into stark contrast in scale when one half of the pair was rebuilt, dwarfing its twin. This spurred the owner of the other half to rebuild their house. As the same Planning Guidelines are imposed on all houses in the area, every house will be of the same height if built to what is permissible. The objective of #6 was thus to make the house appear taller than what is permissible. The permissible volume is sliced by large canopies, with ‘bands’ of vent blocks masking the floor lines, resulting in multiple stacked volumes. The placement of vent blocks of diminishing sizes from large modules in the lowest 'band' to small modules at the top accentuates the building height through false perspective. The unique deployment of vent blocks and deep overhangs, common elements in this region, resulted in a unique sculpture-like house.

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ARCHITECT Singapore, Singapore