nicholas burns associates: sentosa house, singapore

‘sentosa house’ by nicholas burns associates, singaporeimage © patrick bingham hallall images courtesy of nicholas burns associates

located in the tropical climate of singapore, the ‘sentosa house’ by australian and singaporean firm nicholas burns associates utilizes its surrounding environment and spatial logic to create an efficient and timeless home. the rectangular site informed a simple footprint with a concrete primary structure and a soft storey on the ground level that contains the garage, driveway and reflecting pond. a concrete core offers internal structural support, providing a central point for mechanical systems, plumbing, vertical circulation, elevator and efficiently services all the peripheral spaces organized around it. the first floor contains two bedrooms with double glazed panels opening views to the lush vegetation outside, and a small gallery facing the street. above, the master bedroom is oriented towards the back for privacy, with a lounge and study communicating to a full-width balcony on the front facade. finally, a rooftop terrace gives the users a 360-degree view of the site.

rear facade over reflecting poolimage © patrick bingham hall

using only exposed raw materials, such as stone and steel, to minimize the need for unnecessary surface finishes, the exposed concrete shear walls contain a secondary skin of vertical recycled teak planks like louvers that wrap the exterior walls. the screen helps provide a significant aesthetic while shading the internal structure from direct solar gain. regularly spaced members set up a rhythm that at times may create closed off private areas that suddenly open to frame views to the immediate or distant environment. the thermal mass of the poured-in-place skeleton helps regulate and stabilize interior temperatures, with recycled grey water reducing the need for resources from the grid.

front facade with several balconiesimage © patrick bingham hall