House Tour: Bold black design for this semi-detached house in Singapore by Hyla Architects
By Young Lim -
Black has always been a popular colour choice in the world of fashion, but less so when it comes to home design. However, when the homeowners gave local firm Hyla Architects free rein to design the look of their new home, the team proposed a daring façade cloaked in the dark hue.
For the open-minded homeowners however, this was an interesting approach that they were willing to consider. Having seen the firm’s portfolio, the homeowners were confident that the architect team would be able to achieve a unique look that would be functional yet spectacular.
Once you’ve gotten past the black fence and the outstanding look of the geometric black screens on the façade, a wooden deck leads across a pond to the entrance of the house.
Behind the screen, the black hue suddenly melts away to contrast with an all-white interior. The stark difference makes the interiors look even more impressive, accented by touches of black in the metallic framework and interior design elements.
To complement the sleek and contemporary style, the storage areas are all concealed behind handle-less panels. The resulting scene is seamless and utterly sleek.
A mirrored wall was added next to the dry kitchen counter to open up the space, while on the opposite side large sliding doors open onto the side garden.
The sense of sophistication and modernity is enhanced through the use of pendant lamps in the shape of hanging glass vessels.
The white theme extends onto the other levels of the home, complemented by the use of wood flooring and rail.
The highlight of the home lies in the master bathroom, where the walls are lowered to allow the black screen to show through without compromising on the privacy of the space. At the same time, the Onsen-style sunken bath makes the space feel even more intimate and natural.
In the other bathroom, grey slate tiles create a different look that is no less sophisticated and chic.
Come evening time, lights shining from within the house make the building look even more inspiring and majestic.
Photos: Derek Swalwell