formwerkz architects: armadillo house

‘armadillo house’ by formwerkz architects, the republic of singapore image © jeremy san all images courtesy of formwerkz architects

singapore-based formwerkz architects have recently completed the ‘armadillo house’ to respond to two major environmental factors on its particular corner site: the noise pollution from the adjacent highway and the hard western sun beating down along the broad side of the dwelling. the solution is, as the name implies, four stepped bent plates that quite literally block out the external elements and protects the intimate interior while allowing full height glazing to open the space and still maintain privacy within its vertical typology. below the outer shell, a sunken garden provides a vegetative habitat for the primary living space in the naturally shaded basement. the overhang of the upper floors and overlapping of the shielding components admit indirect light to illuminate the common functions while controlling solar gain. mechanical fans in the attic create a stack effect, pulling cool air from the bottom of the residence to the private bedrooms above.   

‘the armadillo house’ has been shortlisted in the ‘house’ category of the 2012 world architecture festival. see the complete list of this year’s nominated projects here.

(left) overlapping exterior plates shade glazing (right) ‘exposed’ entrance to the house images © jeremy san

‘armadillo house’ by formwerkz architects, singapore

image © jeremy san

sunken garden connecting to basement

image © jeremy san

main living space surrounded by the garden

image © jeremy san

basement level and first floor

image © jeremy san

central staircase connects and ventilates the interior spaces

image © jeremy san

attic space and terrace behind protective plate

image © jeremy san

floor plan / level -1

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level 1

floor plan / attic

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noise pollution diagram

solar study