Home tour: An art-filled family bungalow with separate wings

RT+Q Architects and Ommo Design craft an unusual, art-filled bungalow with separate wings for a multigenerational family, lovingly dubbing this home the Village House

At first glance, there are many disadvantages to this house’s plot: it is positioned at a junction and it has an odd wedge shape, with two sides fronting two roads. But the homeowner picked the right collaborators—RT+Q Architects has the magical ability to conjure up homes that thrive because of their inherent quirks, and Ommo Design brings intimacy and character to interiors.

This was also to be a multigenerational family abode for the homeowner, his two grown sons and their young families. Rene Tan, who leads RT+Q Architects with TK Quek, conceived a courtyard scheme in which three blocks surround a central void, turning the home inwards for privacy. It is simple, but no less delightful and nuanced due to the high level of detailing and various interesting expressions.

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Like a modern kampung house, the home features steeply pitched roofs that help to quickly drain rainwater away

A glass box above the main entrance houses an art gallery that also links the homeowner’s block (right) with that of his younger son (left)

At the end of the plot is the clubhouse or entertainment space, with a lounge and wine storage downstairs, and a mahjong room upstairs

Photo 1 of 3 Like a modern kampung house, the home features steeply pitched roofs that help to quickly drain rainwater away

Photo 2 of 3 A glass box above the main entrance houses an art gallery that also links the homeowner’s block (right) with that of his younger son (left)

Photo 3 of 3 At the end of the plot is the clubhouse or entertainment space, with a lounge and wine storage downstairs, and a mahjong room upstairs

Like a modern kampung house, the home features steeply pitched roofs that help to quickly drain rainwater away

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One example of such an expression is the impactful arrival sequence. One passes through a portal of timber screens into a foyer that distributes the programming. To the left is the wing for the homeowner and the elder son—each has their own level—and to the right is the younger son’s block. The sparkling expanse of the swimming pool right at this doorstep, capped by a crisp clubhouse cube at the end filled with colourful art, makes one pause.

The architectural spectacle is also made up of many quirky moments that reflect the firm’s “counter-intuitive” ethos—to add twists when least expected. Here, the expected is the sleek, modernist tropical language the firm is known for.

Some of these twists are played out in bright tones, such as a canary-coloured mesh encircling the air-conditioner condensers atop the clubhouse, the sanguine wall of the master bedroom’s Juliet balcony, and a round yellow window punched into the floor of a floating art gallery bridging the two road-fronting blocks.

In the dining area, a Luce Orizzontale lamp from Flos matches Archibald chairs from Poltrona Frau

The art-gallery bridge offers views of the entrance as well as the internal courtyard

A glass walkway punches through the double-storey main living area

Photo 1 of 3 In the dining area, a Luce Orizzontale lamp from Flos matches Archibald chairs from Poltrona Frau

Photo 2 of 3 The art-gallery bridge offers views of the entrance as well as the internal courtyard

Photo 3 of 3 A glass walkway punches through the double-storey main living area

In the dining area, a Luce Orizzontale lamp from Flos matches Archibald chairs from Poltrona Frau

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Earth-toned materials and a sense of lightness through details like the slim metal roof edges lend a sense of modernity to the structure. Bridges, secondary staircases and large sliding glass doors opening to lush outdoor areas result in an open-ended plan, where family members can choose different routes through the house.

This flexibility was necessary to balance out the privacy for each family unit and communality for cementing kinship. The layout was also carefully considered for this. For example, each family unit has its own section, but the grandchildren can easily hop over to their grandparents’ space. All can gather in the main living and dining area, or in the clubhouse.

The courtyard plan is also great for interaction without the need for physical meetings. The name “Village House” given to this project is thus apt.

The younger son’s living area features artwork by Korean artist Lee Jung Woong

A baroque-inspired vaulted ceiling graces the younger son’s kitchen in this multigenerational home

The younger son’s bedroom features a dark limewash finish on the walls to foster an intimate, cocooning environment

Photo 1 of 3 The younger son’s living area features artwork by Korean artist Lee Jung Woong

Photo 2 of 3 A baroque-inspired vaulted ceiling graces the younger son’s kitchen in this multigenerational home

Photo 3 of 3 The younger son’s bedroom features a dark limewash finish on the walls to foster an intimate, cocooning environment

The younger son’s living area features artwork by Korean artist Lee Jung Woong

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The homeowner’s bold art collection gives the home its unique personality. Pieces are thoughtfully placed all over the house, with most adorning a wall in the double-storey clubhouse. “There are many spaces in the home designed for artworks, such as the double-height living space, the clubhouse and the gallery bridge. These allow for placing artworks and experiencing them almost as if one is in a gallery,” says Tan.

These artworks, the architecture and the selection of furniture and lighting chosen by Owen Lam, the founder of Ommo Design, result in many sensual mise-en-scènes around the house. The architecturally trained Lam had worked with RT+Q Architects in the past, explaining the harmony of both the architecture and the interiors.

Photo 1 of 2 The older son’s family room is furnished with a Molteni&C Cleo sofa, Mattiazzi Osso chair and Sancal Pion table

Photo 2 of 2 A view of the older son’s family area, a clean-lined, elegant space

The older son’s family room is furnished with a Molteni&C Cleo sofa, Mattiazzi Osso chair and Sancal Pion table

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Lam had many conversations with the family to pick up on the different moods and elements each of them likes. He elaborates: “The parents preferred a more controlled palette with subtle details, whereas the children’s rooms are open to the combination and exploration of more interesting materials and design details.”

Hence in the homeowner’s block, Baltic Grey marble floors contrast with darker materials such as a dark timber screen. In the living and dining areas, new furniture from Walter Knoll, Poltrona Frau and HC28 are as timeless as the inspiring mix of tall and intimate spaces. The wide variety of upholstery—leather, fabric, marble—adds visual and tactile interest.

Lam’s aim for the interior design was to help align the axis, spaces and vistas to accentuate the overall experience. “For example, the custom pantry with a Grigio Reale stone countertop anchors the play of volumes in the clubhouse. The Cinder Block island sofa from Wendelbo was the key to unlocking a playful and flexible space for friends to gather over drinks and football matches. The stucco wall finish gives depth to the double-height wall and acts as a canvas for the largest art pieces,” he elaborates.

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In the living room, a painting by Robin Eley is matched with a minimalist sofa from Walter Knoll

An Archibald armchair from Poltrona Frau in the main living area acts as a sculptural accent

The homeowner is the proud collector of an impressive range of antique bird cages

The homeowners’ bedroom is clad in white oak veneer with simple groove detailing

Photo 1 of 4 In the living room, a painting by Robin Eley is matched with a minimalist sofa from Walter Knoll

Photo 2 of 4 An Archibald armchair from Poltrona Frau in the main living area acts as a sculptural accent

Photo 3 of 4 The homeowner is the proud collector of an impressive range of antique bird cages

Photo 4 of 4 The homeowners’ bedroom is clad in white oak veneer with simple groove detailing

In the living room, a painting by Robin Eley is matched with a minimalist sofa from Walter Knoll

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The younger son’s block features more tone-on-tone effects but intensifies the use of texture, such as limewash in the living space that also defines areas for display. Here, a low Molteni&C Albert sofa grounds the space, counterpointed by sculptural Bold lounge chairs from HC28 and striking artworks.

In both the architecture and the interior design, the focus on detailing and the user experience makes this simultaneously a winsome structure and a comfortable home. “The overhanging eaves and façade screens modulate light and airflow while maintaining privacy from neighbouring houses,” points out architect Jaslyn Lee from RT+Q Architects on designing for livability.

The liberal use of natural teak and the lush exterior landscaping soften the divide between the internal and external spaces. Even on the upper levels, planters add verdant relief. On one side of each road-fronting block, lush and tall greenery filters the views towards the main road, while the other side is more transparent to share the calming views towards the pool.

“Village House is not only an architectural response to Singapore’s tropical climate,” says Lee. “More importantly, it aims to capture Le Corbusier’s three essential joys of architecture: sun, space, and greenery.”

Photo 1 of 2 The clubhouse is furnished with a Cinder Block island sofa from Wendelbo, with the mahjong room overlooking the double-height space

Photo 2 of 2 The eclectic art collection helps to define each space, including the foyer

The clubhouse is furnished with a Cinder Block island sofa from Wendelbo, with the mahjong room overlooking the double-height space

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Credits

Photography

Architectural photography by Masano Kawana / Interior photography by Studio Periphery

Topics

Home tour Interior design Architecture RT+Q Architects Ommo Design Singapore

Tatler Asia

Home tour: A spacious, art-filled bungalow with separate wings for a multigenerational household