This semi-detached house at the corner of Jalan Wajek looks every bit the industrial home, with its black steel and glass exterior, complete with a corrugated metal roof more commonly used in the construction of flatted factories here. So it comes as a surprise when the team at Three-D Conceptwerke reveals that the design was not driven by any particular style. “Together with the homeowners, we wanted a home that was open and airy, comprising a simple and lightweight structure,” says the team.

As a typical reinforced concrete structure would be visually too heavy, they decided to use I-sections for the columns and beams. Instead of covering up these structural members, they chose to express them, resulting in an aesthetic language that is a manifestation of the design ethos rather than style. The choice of building elements also addressed the homeowners’ preference for a dry construction approach. Alex Lin and Pauline Soo were adamant about minimising disturbance to their neighbours, so the home was conceived with pre-fabrication in mind and without any piling involved.

Alex and Pauline believe firmly in spending as much time as possible with their three boys, Ayden, Kaleb and Eli, aged 10, nine and seven months respectively, especially while they are young.

The many skylights allow natural light to filter into the house, giving the interior different qualities depending on the time of day. “I love how the house interacts with the light,” comments Alex. “We understand that there is always a link between light and heat, but this is something that we are willing to live with.”

The design team went through various proposals with Alex and Pauline, including a “kelong style” home elevated on “stilts”, and one with front and rear blocks connected by a central staircase, before eventually arriving at the final design, which is more reminiscent of a traditional kampung dwelling layout. But all the schemes had a common thread, which is the element of communal living.

The open master bedroom looks out to Alex’s study, which he refers to as his “man cave”.

Two green armchairs in a cosy corner overlooking the driveway strike a dialogue with the landscaping around the compound, and inject colour into a monochromatic palette. Alex expressed some initial reservations about the colour monotony and austerity, but Pauline confidently forged ahead. Now, he really likes it. “I think the grey walls and floors really complement the black metal elements,” he says.

A skylight above one of the common showers gives it an outdoor feel.

Gym locker room-style showers are a unique feature of the home, which draw on the theme of communal living.

The absence of the ubiquitous walk-in wardrobe is just one of the many ways that this home defi es convention. Taking its place is a row of wardrobes that lines the wall beside the master bedroom.

The wide corridors are proportionate to the lofty ceiling height. Their generous width also transforms them from utilitarian circulation into communal spaces.