A third storey was added to the two-storey building to maximise the site’s potential. This ‘house within a house’ concept is expressed with a wide roof that provides shelter from the rain and sun. The parents occupy the third storey while the children have the free reign of the second storey, where a new spiral staircase is an alternative access for them from the entrance and car porch.

The staircase winds up the front of the house to the double-volume family room at the second storey, which is screened by the foliage of a 12m-high tree. In traversing up and down, the family and their visitors are always made aware of the greenery outdoors, and the warmth of sunlight upon the skin. Designed as a sculptural object, the staircase draws attention to itself with black Serrizo grey granite in leathered finish.    

Aside from keeping the first and second storey floor slabs, all other spaces were rearranged and materials changed. “The main challenge we had was with the low ceiling heights at the basement and first storey that made the spaces feel dark and dingy. We kept the guestrooms, toilets and maid’s room to the wall shared with the neighbour, and maximised openings to the side garden. This allows the living and dining areas to feel more open and bright,” explains Diong. 

Rather than stretching the built-up area, Diong maintained the existing three-metre setback from the perimeter of the property. This allows for plentiful windows on the sides without the worry of neighbours looking in. Angled aluminium fins screen the hot afternoon sun from the west.   

To open up the interiors and mitigate the low ceilings, Diong added a wide staircase following the natural topography that cascades from the first storey to the basement where the dining and living areas are. A wall of large windows floods natural light in.

“In line with the concept of an outdoor house, we integrated a landing along this staircase to connect it to a [parallel] outdoor staircase, so there are many connections between indoors and outdoors,” highlights Diong. The staircase’s generous width naturally invites people to sit and socialise at gatherings.  

Another new staircase leads from the family room on the second storey to a small balcony outside the master bedroom, sheltered by the large roof. “It can be used for practicing yoga or just to enjoy tea. We allowed for cross ventilation so that common areas such as this feel breezy and comfortable,” describes Diong, commenting on the corresponding openings at the front and back of the house. 

An interesting part of the house is the family room, where Diong gave the facing junior master bedroom undulating walls. Clad with timber, they perpetuate connection to the outdoors—likewise the use of rough-textured paint for many of the indoor walls. “These are materials that are typically used outdoors, but we brought them in to lend a touch of ruggedness. We think it results in a unique architectural language,” says Diong.   

The master bedroom features natural oak flooring with a dark tile border to match the custom-designed headboard’s dark timber veneer. The master bathroom’s design also aligns with the outdoors. The open space has a wall of natural rainforest stone and is enveloped by landscaping. 

“We really wanted to create a very outdoorsy and open house. Of course, it takes a special client to be able to appreciate such a design,” reflects Diong on the two-year-long renovation process.

The clients were also drawn to her ideas from the start, dubbing the abode the ‘kampong house’. It is an apt moniker, not only for its plentiful light, breeze and shade, but also for the many spaces and connections that encourage chanced encounters both indoors and out.  

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