THE MASTER ARCHITECT SERIES
HYLA ARCHITECTS
MODERN
SINGAPORE
LIVING
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CONTENTS 7 INTRODUCTION
MODERN SINGAPORE LIVING 12 WELL OF LIGHT
INTRICATE ENVELOPE 132
28 VERTICAL COURT
NATURAL GEOMETRY 140
38 BRIDGE OVER WATER 50 LINES OF LIGHT 60 SHIFTING SCREENS 70 FLOATING WORLD 78 PANORAMIC PLUNGE
A PRIVATE RETREAT 150 HARMONIOUS ‘TIMBRE’ 160 ACOUSTIC ALCHEMY 174 DISCREETLY DETACHED 184 POOLED APART 194
88 BRASS ENSEMBLE
TO CATCH A BREEZE 204
98 LIGHT & SHADOW
SPIRAL SIMPLICITY 214
112 SOUND SOLACE
DECIDEDLY DIFFERENT 224
122 VERTICAL PROGRESSION
PRIVATELY PUBLIC 236
253 COMPANY PROFILE 254 INDEX OF PROJECTS
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INTRODUCTION We live in a densely populated world where statements are being made wherever we look. Architecture, sprouting taller, bigger, louder, are vying for our attention. Where, then, can the people of a busy city like Singapore find their hidden haven? For those at HYLA Architects, that escape is home. HYLA’s approach to building houses is singular and precise – a marriage of pure forms and dynamic spaces. Exteriors are strong and simple, interiors are thoughtful and sensuous. The works within these pages detail the firm’s perspectives in sculpting homes that are distinct and sincere. Clarity is the core tenet, and one of the guiding principles of their architectural practice. All of HYLA’s projects come with careful consideration for tropical Asian living – always seeking to achieve both modernity and timelessness that reflect culture and society. An exploration of strategies that seamlessly bring together exterior and interior, delicately incorporating climate, surroundings, and, where possible, nature into the composition. While the values of strength, clarity and dynamism remain constant, each site and client differ, and naturally, so do the homes.
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The journey begins by understanding the purpose of the building. What it is supposed to be, what it is supposed to do. Space is a luxury in landscarce Singapore and thus efficiency of planning is always sought after. If the environment poses challenges, design can help alleviate, if not overcome, obstacles. Proposals are created to address specific issues relevant to the context and problem. There are always different ways to resolve an issue – originality is prized; standardisation and repetition avoided. With simple, thoughtful touches, light is filtered. Air circulates freely and naturally. Heat is shunned. Water can be used cleverly to cool the surroundings. And greenery and nature are introduced, where possible, in courtyards, secret gardens, and planters. Like the project Bridge Over Water, the pool was used to insulate against the nearby train-track clatter. Or where a reflective pool was integrated to passively cool the house in the project Well of Light. Consciously, HYLA’s houses are often punctuated with light and blended with nature. Using different kinds of filters in various materials, HYLA explores fixed and operable screens to diffuse light, welcome circulation of air, and safeguard privacy. These screens, interchangeable to create patterns on the façades, can be reflective of the resident’s mood, allowing these homes to truly take on the owner’s individuality.
INTRODUCTION
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HYLA strives to push the boundaries of modern tropical architecture, continuously seeking to create new typologies that accommodate contemporary Asian lifestyles in a moderated environment. Through clean aesthetics and honest use of materials, HYLA’s houses offer a private sanctuary within a dense setting. Stepping into HYLA’s houses, you will appreciate the attentiveness put into understanding how people live and behave in their homes. Incorporating the Asian values in a modern setting, HYLA’s designs place privacy at utmost importance. Public space leads discreetly into private space. And because the Singaporean lifestyle is casual and relaxed, spaces are fluid and flow from one to the other. HYLA’s houses seek to be strong but sensitive, rational yet delightful to the senses. The job of the architect is done when every significant element of the building integrates in perfect harmony. ‘Make the form still, and the spaces dynamic.’ This ying and yang interplay between the solid and the void is what animates the architecture of HYLA.
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BRIDGE OVER WATER Type: New build of three-storey detached house with basement and swimming pool Location: Jalan Angin Laut, Singapore Completed: 2012 Project team members: Han Loke Kwang, Eunice Chen, Kristten Chan, Watinee Roajduang Main contractor: 21 Construction Engineering Pte Ltd Structural engineer: GNG Consultants Pte Ltd Photography: Derek Swalwell
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Presenting a sleek façade to its neighbours, the finely detailed screens of Jalan Angin Laut conceal a house nestled gently into a garden. With its entrance elevated above the ground, one has to ascend a glass staircase to enter the house. Opening the solid timber front door, one is greeted with a swimming pool and patio surrounded by lush greenery, amply shaded overhead and admitting light and air from the sides. This space is a paradigm of living comfortably in the tropics. A glass bridge spanning lightly across the pool leads into the living room. This bridge extends the threshold of the house, prolonging the act of entering and highlighting the importance of this space to the overall design of the house. The rest of the house takes its cue from this scene, with the main living spaces being punctuated with light, greenery and timber accents. Together with the skilful manipulation of solids and voids, the overall effect is the architecture integrating harmoniously with nature.
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B R I D G E O V E R W AT E R
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Third storey
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First storey
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Basement
1 Car porch 2 Foyer 3 Swimming pool 4 Pool deck 5 Living room 6 Dining room 7 Dry kitchen 8 Wet kitchen 9 Bathroom
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Bedroom Glass bridge Shelter Laundry Yard Housekeeping Store Family room Walk-in wardrobe
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Roof terrace Gym Walkway Master bedroom Courtyard Landscape Lift
B R I D G E O V E R W AT E R
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B R I D G E O V E R W AT E R
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Elevation
Section
B R I D G E O V E R W AT E R
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B R I D G E O V E R W AT E R
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A PRIVATE RETREAT Type: New build of three-storey semi-detached house with swimming pool Location: Eng Kong Garden, Singapore Completed: 2014 Project team members: Han Loke Kwang, Tiffany Ow Main contractor: V-Tech Builder LLP Structural engineer: SB Ng & Associates CE Photography: Derek Swalwell
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A timber-clad façade greets the visitor to this private semi-detached house. The house opens up to the side garden with its timber deck and lap pool. The staircase opens up in the middle of the house and an elliptical skylight brings in light to this space. On the second storey, a curved wall interplays with the timber-slatted corridor, which looks down into the pool below. The third storey has a lounge room which opens to the roof terrace. An open shelf with varying widths and heights reflects the design of the front façade, which also has its timber members reducing in width towards the edges.
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1 Car porch 2 Living room 3 Dining room 4 Shelter 5 Dry kitchen 6 Wet kitchen 7 Laundry 8 Lounge room 9 Utility room 10 Study 11 Open terrace 12 Covered terrace 13 Swimming pool 14 Balcony 15 Bedroom 16 Bathroom 17 Wardrobe 18 Family room 19 Master bedroom
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Attic
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A P R I V AT E R E T R E AT
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A P R I V AT E R E T R E AT
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A P R I V AT E R E T R E AT
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A P R I V AT E R E T R E AT
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HYLA Architects
Modern Singapore Living Master Architect Series We live in a densely populated world where statements are being made wherever we look. Architecture, sprouting taller, bigger, louder, are vying for our attention. Where, then, can the people of a busy city like Singapore find their hidden haven? For those at HYLA Architects, that escape is home. HYLA’s approach to building houses is singular and precise – a marriage of pure forms and dynamic spaces. Exteriors are strong and simple, interiors are thoughtful and sensuous. The works within the pages of this spectacularly beautiful monograph detail the firm’s perspectives in sculpting homes that are distinct and sincere. Clarity is the core tenet, and one of the guiding principles of their architectural practice. All of HYLA’s projects come with careful consideration for tropical Asian living – always seeking to achieve both modernity and timelessness that reflect culture and society. An exploration of strategies that seamlessly bring together exterior and
interior, delicately incorporating climate, surroundings, and, where possible, nature into the composition. While the values of strength, clarity and dynamism remain constant, each site and client differ, and naturally, so do the homes. Consciously, HYLA’s houses are often punctuated with light and blended with nature. Using different kinds of filters in various materials, HYLA explores fixed and operable screens to diffuse light, welcome circulation of air, and safeguard privacy. These screens, interchangeable to create patterns on the façades, can be reflective of the resident’s mood, allowing these homes to truly take on the owner’s individuality. HYLA strives to push the boundaries of modern tropical architecture, continuously seeking to create new typologies that accommodate contemporary Asian lifestyles in a moderated environment.
ISBN 9781864707199 Format 300mm x 223mm Binding Casebound with jacket Pages 256 Illustrations Full color In bookstores June 2017 For publicity information contact Merry Lovell: merry@imagespublishing.com +61 3 9561 5544 Distributed in North America by ACC Distribution www.accpublishinggroup.com/us To place an order contact ACC Distribution at +1 413 529 0861 or ussales@accpublishinggroup.com Distributed rest of world by ACC Distribution www.accpublishinggroup.com/uk To place an order contact ACC Distribution at +44 (0) 1394 389 950 or uksales@accpublishinggroup.com