Home Tour: Inside Sentosa Cove’s ‘Diamond House’
This unbelievable house we toured in 2017.
By Young Lim -
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Let's face it, how many opportunities does one get to own a house in the prestigious Sentosa Cove? Forking out that ridiculous sum of money for a Sentosa Cove property is one thing, but with most of the available plots already snapped up, living on the coveted island enclave is easier said than done. So when this homeowner managed to secure a waterfront plot in Sentosa Cove a few years ago, he knew he wanted to go all out with its remarkable look.
Angular exterior facade of Sentosa Cove's Diamond House.
Sentosa’s ‘Diamond House’
The architect team from the award-winning Formwerkz Architects in Singapore was inspired by the challenge to create something truly spectacular for this Sentosa Cove home, dubbed the "Diamond House." The first thought that came to mind was to build a diamond-inspired house - the gem of all houses in Sentosa Cove. With that vision, the team embarked on creating a multi-faceted look for a block-like home that would sit proudly on the land like a massive, glittering boulder.
Sentosa's Diamond House resembles a giant rock sitting squarely on grassland.
Designed by Formwerkz Architects
To create an even more impressive presence amidst the surrounding Sentosa Cove landscape, the architects maximized the land area for the Diamond House building itself, cutting down on areas used for outdoor lawns. This bold move made the house appear larger in proportion and even more striking against the backdrop of Sentosa Cove.
Angular glass facade of Sentosa Cove's Diamond House as viewed from the ground floor.
Diamond House with dark facade
In contrast to the glittering surfaces of a real gem, however, the team decided to propose a toned-down dark façade for the Diamond House. The façade was covered in dark-colored ironwood, with the walls painted in black. Balconies were also designed to feature sharp angles jutting out, reminiscent of jagged edges on a rough-cut stone.
Dark coloured ironwood facade for Sentosa Cove's Diamond House.
Ironwood exterior
During the day, the natural look of the ironwood creates an imposing yet elegant aesthetic at the entrance of the Diamond House. An A-shaped triangular opening leads into the heart of the home, separating the house into two distinct wings.
Back of Sentosa's Diamond House features a private pool, and overlooks a quaint waterway.
Waterfront view
The back of the home overlooks one of the many tranquil waterways around Sentosa Cove.
Minimal landscaping within the compounds of Sentosa's Diamond House.
Outdoor landscaping
With minimal outdoor areas, the landscaping is thoughtfully tucked into the corners to embrace the main structure of the Diamond House itself.
Glass windows allow sunlight into the house.
Glass windows
Even the window openings are designed to slant in accordance with the angles of the home's multi-faceted architecture. Furthermore, the glass windows are strategically positioned throughout to allow light into the main living areas during the day while ensuring privacy within the home at night.
The roof terrace affords stunning views of the Sentosa Cove enclave.
Diamond House roof terrace
From the Diamond House's roof terrace, one can take in stunning views of the rest of the upscale Sentosa Cove neighborhood.
Warm oak used generously within the interiors of the house.
Warm tone interiors
Unlike the dark colors on the façade, the interiors of the Diamond House are bathed in light neutral tones, contributed by the use of warm oak and luxurious travertine marble.
A sense of lightness and balance fill the house.
Geometric interior design
Despite the unique angles and geometric forms, the architect team at Formwerkz managed to seamlessly integrate them into the flowing layout of the home's interior spaces.
Ground-up view of the oak and glass stairwell. Glass windows open up to the pastel blue skies.
Oak staircase
Looking up onto the ceiling from within, the view of the oak-clad stairway beautifully contrasts with glimpses of the blue sky visible through the windows.
At night, outdoor lamps light up the brown facade of the home.
Stunning facade at night
In the evenings, the dark façade of the Diamond House changes its hue to a cool brown color when lit from below. The warm glow of lamps from within the house also transforms this rock-like boulder house into an enchanting, sparkling diamond - shimmering like a precious star next to the tranquil water's edge in Sentosa Cove.