Home Tour: $2 Million rebuild for a legal couple’s library-themed inter-terrace house in Kovan

The homeowners are self-confessed book nerds whose lives have always revolved around books and words, even before they became a couple. Now in their 40s and working in the legal profession, they have always dreamed of having a home built around a library, especially since their two primary school-going daughters also share their love for reading. 

Who Lives Here: A three-generation family of five
Home: An inter-terraced home in Kovan
Size: 5,700 sq ft (approx. floor area)
Architect: Hsu Hsia Pin, partner of EHKA Studio

Library-Themed House

They have always been drawn to circular libraries such as the reading room in the British Museum and images of homes lined with tomes towering skywards. They quite literally want to be surrounded by books in their home, but never thought it would become a reality. The opportunity to redevelop the family home arose and they discussed their vision with architect, Hsu Hsia Pin, partner of EHKA Studio, who then came up with a design that far exceeded their expectations. 

Inter-Terrace House in Kovan

The property has been in the family since 1988 and having lived in the home for a few decades, the clients were able to identify some of the issues that they wanted the design to address. One of the key concerns was the lack of natural light within the central areas of the long and linear inter-terrace unit.

The couple’s vision for their new home was to have a library-like environment surrounding an atrium that would flood the interior with natural light and ventilation and connect across various levels of the home. 

$2 Million Terrace House Rebuild

The existing home was demolished and rebuilt into a three-storey inter-terraced home with an attic over 16 months and to a cost of over $2 million.

With a thorough understanding of the clients’ brief, Hsia Pin drew inspiration from their appreciation of rotunda-style libraries with their circular atriums and dual storeys of curved bookshelves connected by a spiral staircase.

“We adapted these elements to fit the unique dimensions of this narrow plot. Recognising the limitations of the house, we opted for bookshelves on just one side of the atrium, allowing for a more open and light-filled environment. These shelves gracefully wrap around a corner, enhancing the room’s flow. We reimagined the spiral staircase, transforming it into a sweeping, ribbon-like structure that ascends elegantly to the attic level, celebrating the journey between floors within this stunning atrium,” he says. 

Dining Hall

Conceived as the heart of the home, the quadruple volume atrium has the family dining hall at its centre on the first storey. Overlooking the atrium on the upper floors are the semi-private spaces, such as the living area on the second storey belonging to the husband’s mother, a retired teacher in her 70s, and the mahjong and activity area on the attic level. The bedroom spaces, being the most private, have been located furthest away from the atrium.  

Skylight

Beyond aesthetics, the atrium serves a vital purpose that resolves what was previously lacking in the former home. Architect Hsia Pin introduced a skylight above the atrium that illuminates the central void with an abundance of natural light and infuses the interior with a bright, airy and warm feeling.

“The interplay of shadows cast by the trellis interacts beautifully with the stringed balustrades and panelled walls, resulting in delightful textures and patterns,” he points out.

Vents at the top of the atrium allow hot air to rise and escape, drawing in cooler air from the floors below. This creates a natural convection of air current that allows the living, dining and kitchen areas to be naturally ventilated without having to rely on air-conditioning. 

Arch Interior Design

The homeowners, who moved back into their new home in April 2024, also have an affinity for arches and Hsia Pin thoughtfully incorporated this motif into the design, both inside and out.

On the façade, arches that curve in three-dimensional space are a combination of the curves on the floor plan and in the elevation. Despite its narrow frontage, the façade is segmented into smaller overlapping forms to create a more human scale. The vaulted ceiling of the car porch culminates in an arched entry portal. 

Arch Walkways

Inside the home, arches are employed as spatial demarcations, with each arch establishing a portal leading from one space to another.

“We explored the themes of framing, fluidity and softness through the arches, reinterpreting traditional forms with fresh geometries. By bending and intersecting the arches with curved walls, we achieved complex shapes that are a nod to history while offering a modern twist,” he explains.

There are even full-height, arched windows reminiscent of Juliet balconies that allow the residents to lean on the railings and enjoy the views without recourse to actual balconies that would encroach into the internal space. 

Minimalist Colour Palette

A minimalist material palette complements the architecture and interior design, allowing the space to take centre stage.

Architect Hsia Pin opted for white onyx floors, white oak carpentry, and walls in soft whites or beiges to create a sense of airiness and openness. Subtle pops of colour were introduced in certain rooms to reflect the personality of the occupant while staying true to the overall aesthetic. 

Open Concept Layout

One of the most successful aspects of the home has got to be how architect Hsia Pin has managed to make an inter-terrace home appear so spacious. This was achieved across both the horizontal and vertical realms.

On plan, the open-concept layout establishes a fluid connection from the car porch up front all the way to the rear garden. The lofty ceilings and soaring atrium maximise the allowable building height of 15.5 m and further heighten the dramatic and voluminous quality. 

Architect Hsia Pin firmly believes that every creation must spark joy and form should follow feeling. This approach calls for designing with not just the mind but engaging all the senses. “For this project, we set out to craft more than just a library space - it had to be a visually stunning and emotionally captivating experience that inspires awe,” he shares.