RHYTHM AND FLOW

This striking house by Czarl Architects takes inspiration from the beautiful greenery that surrounds the site while providing the comforts of modern urban life

- By Hong Xinying

With its array of eye-catching skyscrapers and beautiful gardens, Singapore is seen as a city geared towards the future, marrying urban density with greenery to create liveable environments.

This particular house by Czarl Architects has a futuristic countenance that embodies the city's forward-looking attitude and its desire to balance the beauty of nature with the comforts of urban life, not unlike how Singapore's built landscape came to be.

This house is home to a Singaporean family of four and their pet Pomsky dog, Yuzu. Situated in Singapore's leafy District 20, the site enjoys proximity to the verdant local parks and the city's largest nature reserve. As captivating as the nearby greenery can be, it does come with some everyday challenges. Insects are commonplace, and the local wildlife is known to sometimes wander into residential areas foraging for food.

“While initially captivated by the potential to seamlessly integrate nature into the site, we quickly realised the clients' concerns about insects, and the wildlife added a twist to our creative process. Amid this paradox, the homeowners' genuine desire to appreciate nature remained a driving force [in this project],” says Carl Lim, the principal architect and founder of Czarl Architects.

Lim worked on this project with design partner Anditya Dwi Saputra and senior designer Khalis Sidek; the team prioritised the lush views while conceptualising fluid, well-ventilated spaces that bask in the daylight and encourage the occupants to enjoy their proximity to nature. Adds the architect: “Our task became finding inventive ways to bring the outdoors in without inviting unwanted guests to the party.”

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