linghao architects: villa S

‘villa S’ by linghao architects, sentosa island, singapore all images courtesy of linghao architects image © jeremy san

singaporean practice linghao architects has just completed the ‘villa S’ facing the south china sea on the edge of sentosa island, singapore. its curvilinear plan lends to a continuous space with no true ‘front’ or ‘back’, where wood-clad private bedrooms on the second level are organized within a dynamic series of external walkways, verandas and courtyards of varying exposures. the ground level floor plane slopes towards the center mass of the house, creating an inward focal point amidst the completely transparent enveloping glass panels. in contrast, the upper storey angles gently towards the cove, bringing attention to the surrounding site. a composite steel and concrete structure provides visual vulnerability at times and a hard protective opaque barrier at others. perforated metal screens define rooftop paths as well as sun-shading for the terraces below. an endless network of horizontal and vertical circulation is open to the exterior and filled with light, suggesting an emphasis on the user’s kinetic relationship to the house and the environment, rather than being statically centered on isolated programmatical elements.

view from street image © jeremy san