MAJESTIC RESONANCE

Dubbed Moongate House, this residence by Chang Architects was inspired by the vernacular architecture of northeast China, where a custom concrete module forms the basic framework By Luo Jingmei. Photography by Albert Lim KS and Khoo Guo Jie

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In Singaporean architect Chang Yong Ter’s oeuvre, no two projects are the same. Lucky Shophouse, which clinched Design of the Year at the President’s Design Award in 2013, staggers a string of masonry blocks in the rear garden, establishing a unique dialogue with the shophouse. In a bungalow at Cornwall Gardens, completed in 2014, rock walls and foliage-wrapped terraces surrounding a pool shape a tropical oasis at the core.

“Each project’s design approach is unique, as the needs and aspirations of every client vary, and the site context is always different. This is the core of my design philosophy,” explains architect Chang, on eschewing a formula. His latest project is yet another idiosyncratic exploration. Named Moongate House, it was designed for the family of a businessman and inspired by its natural setting and the family’s cultural heritage.

EASTERN INFLUENCE

The owner is a first-generation immigrant from northern China who has lived in Singapore for decades. “He sought a home that balanced privacy and professional grandeur, accommodating both his family and frequent diplomatic events, as he often hosts gatherings related to his business and role as an appointed consul,” explains Chang.