FARM: the pool shophouse

‘the pool shophouse’ by FARM in collaboration with KD architects, singapore image © jeremy san all images courtesy of FARM

singapore-based firm FARM in collaboration with KD architects renovated an old local shop house as part of the lorong 24A shophouse series featuring seven architects’ spatial experiments with each of the eight attached residences along the street. the ‘pool shophouse’ aims to create a conversation between the existing building and the ‘insertion’ of the new, rather than an ‘extension.’ the entire space is hollowed out, with intermittent steel and hardwood floors created half-levels with an open communication. 

a linear pool at the entrance emphasizes the elongated floor plan, exaggerating a narrow path for circulation while providing a recreational area. the original brick walls were left untouched adding a rich element of the ‘aged’ throughout the otherwise contemporary construction. a skylight running the length of the longitudinal axis illuminates the several storeys below with a suspended series of thin planks that dim the direct sunlight. the addition is set in a smaller rectangular floor plan with a rooftop terrace that overlooks the adjoined historic edifice.

see designboom’s coverage of the ‘pool shophouse‘s’ neighbor here, by linghao architects, located just five units away.

linear pool accentuates the proportions of the plan image © jeremy san

half-levels create many communicated spaces image © jeremy san

contemporary stairs fill the space image © jeremy san

image © jeremy san

image © jeremy san

upstairs of existing house image © jeremy san

natural light glows through the louvers on the ceiling image © jeremy san

upstairs of the original house / library shelves image © jeremy san

transition space between the downstairs and the new addition image © jeremy san

rear facade image © jeremy san

rear facade image © jeremy san

site plan

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level 1

floor plan / level 2

floor plan / level 3

roof plan

section

section

front elevation

rear elevation

placement within the 8 lorong 24A shophouse series image © lorong 24A shophouse series

project info:

design consultants: FARM in collaboration with KD architects design team: kurjanto slamet, tiah nan chyuan, lee hui lian land area: 143.30 sqm built–in gfa: 366.94 sqm project year: 2012