'stereoscopic house' by pencil office in singapore
all images courtesy pencil office

singapore-based architects pencil office has shared with us images of 'stereoscopic house', a multi-storey
private dwelling on the flat reclaimed landscape of sentosa island, singapore. taking advantage
of the plot's ideal vantage point, the design extends and distorts a tube-like volume to frame views of
the ocean and adjacent golf course while remaining conscious of sustainable living.

exterior view from east


flanked on both sides by neighbouring structures, the house opens up towards the front and the back
with continuous spans of floor-to-ceiling glass. a series of perforated shutters on the street facade enable
the inhabitants to control both privacy and level of sunlight entering the interior. wrapped in a dynamic
wooden skin finished in a herringbone pattern, the roof and upper volume is rendered as a monolithic form
that hovers above a translucent base. 



street view



second-storey veranda


taking note of the tropical climate, the design integrates a number of outdoor zones into the organization
of the layout: a large third storey terrace generated by an excision in the pitched roof secure views of the
neighbouring islands, while a poolside veranda under the cantilevered volume benefits from shading.
the language of the perforated screens is continued throughout the house to facilitate natural cross ventilation
and daylighting. a series of angular skylights and organically-shaped openings in the ceiling create
an ever-changing play of light and shadow.

in order to reduce energy demands, the house is equipped with rain harvesting systems,
solar hot-water heating, and low-e glazing to prevent overheating for the interior.



extruded skylights



views of upper volume



perforated shutters on street facade



view of ocean from roof terrace



filtered light through screen



extended veranda from living space



(left) circulation space
(right) washroom by courtyard



openings in ceiling



light through screened skylight



approach and entrance



night view

physical models

overview

section

elevation



scheme



diagram
(1) public/private volumes
(2) view calibration
(3) accommodation of setbacks
(4) accommodation of 50% roof pitch requirement
(5) calibration of roof terrace/courtyard to view



solar studies



floor plan / level -1
(1) gym



floor plan / level 0
(2) living room
(3) dining room
(4) dry kitchen
(5) wet kitchen
(6) courtyard



floor plan / level +1
(7) master bedroom
(8) bedroom 2
(9) bedroom 3
(10) garden terrace



floor plan / attic level
(11) attic garden terrace
(12) guest bedroom
 
longitudinal section

project info:

size: 607.9 m2
type of construction: concrete, steel
principal designer: erik g. l'heureux
consulting team: HK hia & associates, TEP consultants,
DMS consulting engineers, PQS consultants