ONG & ONG attunes contemporary dwelling to tropical surroundings in singapore
adopting the japanese design principle of 'shakkei' –meaning borrowed view– the expansive property is defined by its stone and timber facades, blue pools and waterways, and lush garden scenery.
designed with a holistic approach to achieve an all-encompassing integration between architecture, interior design, and landscaping, ‘KAP house’ is a private residence in singapore designed by the architects at ONG&ONG.
ONG & ONG kap house: the form features a series of rectilinear volumes placed in interlocking juxtapositions
all images © derek swalwell
the contemporary structure occupies a preserved green corridor, providing a natural backdrop to the scheme. the design team at ONG&ONG adopted the japanese design principle of ‘shakkei’, meaning borrowed view. this approach was employed with the intention to create a home that captures the essence of nature. a meticulously curated material palette complements this approach; reflected in the stone and timber facades, placid blue pools and waterways, and lush gardens greenery. the house is shaped in according to the function and programs and resulted in a series of rectilinear volumes placed in interlocking juxtapositions and individual volumes conceived depending on how the space would be utilized.
a seamless transition from inside and outside is constant throughout the dwelling
the entrance foyer leading to the shared common space reveals a system of fully retractable floor-to-ceiling glass windows encasing the living and dining areas. the windows, together with the timber screens found on the upper floor, provide natural cross-ventilation and overall versatility to the dwelling. altogether, there four bedrooms together with an additional guestroom. private spaces are located on the the upper-most volume and is defined by the gray zircon wood façade. this envelope extends from the house entrance along the length of the home, forming a system of timber screens that veils the upper-level spaces.
the entrance foyer leading to the shared common space reveals a system of fully retractable floor-to-ceiling glass
windows
the home is fully attuned to the environment; elemental considerations were prioritized throughout as the design team accounted for factors such as wind direction and solar positioning, introducing a sustainable framework that allowed the implementation of passive environmental controls. providing the inhabitants with tropical living in the city, the residence is finished with planted plots of green space strategically placed to further emphasize the naturalistic motif established.
the timber screens found on the upper floor, provide natural cross-ventilation
the home includes four bedrooms together with an additional guestroom
green corridors
the subterranean zones are distinguished by robust tobacco-colored cohiba stone
spaces within the house benefit from the surrounding nature
an L-shaped slab of textured reinforced concrete frames a façade of gray zircon wood strips
the swimming pool can be seen from the below ground media room
the site was once the sprawling garden of a classic colonial black and white bungalow
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