Home tour: Inside an eco conscious semi-detached house in Singapore with a hidden garden

A double-storey courtyard is the heart of Vertical Oasis, a cosy and environmentally friendly house in Singapore designed by HYLA Architects

HYLA Architects has christened this home “Vertical Oasis”; an apt name for a semi-detached house with an enviable garden in its double-storey courtyard. The home of a couple and their two teenage children, this property contains not only lush landscaping and relaxing water features but is also cleverly designed to turn inward, providing a sense of calm away from the busy streets.

The front of the house faces an oncoming road. To shield the interior spaces from prying eyes, the design team created a “faceless” front elevation on the first two storeys, such that the facade has no windows. Yet, the interiors still feel open and connected to the natural environment, to wind and daylight, and the scent and therapeutic sounds of rainfall due to a double-storey atrium next to the party wall.

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Above A view of the front entrance of the house designed by HYLA

Above The hidden lush courtyard within the property

All rooms look inwards to face this vertical oasis that is flanked by a swimming pool and koi pond. The double-storey living and dining spaces are placed alongside the water features on the first storey, augmenting the sense of loftiness. Tall slide-and-fold windows open the internal spaces to this picturesque view.

“[The pool] is covered from the rain with a glass roof and an anodised aluminium pergola. This creates an all-weather environment that the house looks into; a very significant advantage in tropical Singapore,” says HYLA founder Han Loke Kwang.

The intricate trellis creates shadow play on the party wall and the water features. Han expounds on the detail that went into the trellis design: “Firstly, because of the height of the courtyard space, the scale of the trellis members have to be appropriate. Secondly, the spacing of the members and pattern was carefully detailed so as to bring the optimum level of light to the space. And finally, the trellis support’s unique design makes it appear as if [it is] just ‘floating’ in the space.”

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Above The courtyard features landscaped areas and is flanked by water features that include a koi pond and a swimming pool

There is a strong tectonic quality to the architecture, with the generous use of face bricks that clads the front façade as well as the entire party wall. This creates “a warm and textured backdrop for the courtyard,” describes Han.

The dominant use of anodised aluminium also gives sleekness to the architecture. “At the top of the courtyard is a trellis design consisting of aluminium hollow sections laid out in a rich pattern. The aluminium is also used in the front at the entrance. It becomes the door as well as hides the shoe storage next to it. It also clads ceilings,” he adds.

Photo 1 of 5 A view of the pond and courtyard

Photo 2 of 5 The courtyard area earlier in the day

Photo 3 of 5 A view of the spacious living and dining areas

Photo 4 of 5 An ample use of face bricks creates a rugged look in contrast to the lush foliage found in the courtyard

Photo 5 of 5 The hallway at the second floor is lined with planters

On the second storey, the master bedroom that looks directly out to the pool has been given a double-storey height, which accentuates the vertical quality of the house, and amplifies air flow and light into the room. Tucked to the rear, the master bathroom is a quiet respite with privacy but no dearth of light and ventilation.

“The focus is an indoor garden, which is lit and ventilated by an opening above it. Along the perimeter, aluminium slats lining the double shower and toilet allow air to pass through but keep out rain,” explains Han. On the first floor, he designed the powder room in an entirely different way. Less minimal and more dramatic, it has a curved, patterned wall of bright red glass mosaic tiles. “It reflects the living room design, which has a double-volume bar area and a more theatrical quality,” says Han.

Photo 1 of 4 The master bathroom is a lush oasis with its own verdant array of house plants

Photo 2 of 4 The shower area in the master bathroom

Photo 3 of 4 The indoor garden imbues the space with an utmost sense of tranquility

Photo 4 of 4 The mirrored wall expands the sense of space

The architect is proud to highlight that the house has been awarded the Gold Green Mark Certificate given out by Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority (BCA). “It is a rare achievement for a landed house,” he says.

“Among the many sustainable features are photo-voltaic cells to generate electricity, energy efficient fittings, centralised gas water heaters, and cross-ventilated rooms. But most importantly, the central courtyard and its water features offer an alternative approach in providing a well-shaded, ventilated and private space for the house.”