Sitting atop a vast piece of land in one of the most exclusive areas of Bukit Timah, this good class bungalow — designed by principal architect Robin Tan from Wallflower Architecture & Design — is architecturally stunning. Conceived as part of a larger project, this house is one of six new houses, built all around the client's preexisting abode, making seven in total. It was carefully constructed to be no taller than the second storey balcony of the main house, in order to preserve its panoramic city views.  

This story was first published on The Peak. Photography by Marc Tey.

In the centre of the house, there is a swimming pool and an internal courtyard. Five bedrooms make up the interior of the house, as well as a family room and a study. Solid volumes of concrete hold the second storey up, making it look almost like an elevated structure.

(See another good class bungalow here)

The ground plane is freed up, and the openness and transparency allows for ample light to pass through at all times.

Hardwood sunscreen fins are a reinterpretation of the tropical louvred windows of old colonial bungalows, letting light into the second storey corridors, whilst retaining the privacy of the interior.  

A spiral staircase facilitates circulation within the home. Connecting three levels, the see-through stairway optimises the natural light and allows for cross-ventilation.

(These homes have spiral staircases, too!)

The bathroom is simple yet elegant, with marble walls and dark wood accents, punctuated by a free-standing bathtub. Timber shutters maintain privacy while letting sunlight in – an ample amount of which the space enjoys during the day – steering homeowners clear of excessive artificial light usage.

(Live in a HDB and want a bathtub? Read this.)

The exterior of the house is kept geometrically simple and understated, with white concrete walls and black framed rectangular windows.

A mature Tembusu tree stands tall in the middle of the internal courtyard. Careful consideration had to be taken during construction as the tree is conserved, gazetted by the authorities. A mandated protection zone of 10 metres in diameter had to be worked around, resulting in the courtyard.