House with a Ramp

House with a Ramp: A Contemporary Tropical House in Singapore Construction Commenced: Nov 2022 | Estimated completion date: June 2024 Introduction: The house with a ramp is a contemporary tropical residence in Bukit Timah, Singapore. Designed for a young couple seeking a home that enables both social gatherings and space for personal retreat, the brief was to incorporate natural elements in a sophisticated way. Design Concept: Inspired by Le Corbusier's principles, the design creates opportunities for a seamless connection with the natural environment. Minimal walls and multiple inter-storey connections create a fluid spatial experience. Large sliding windows link the interior and exterior, while brise soleil provide shade and privacy. The interconnected spaces are joined by a ramp, encouraging a continuous flow. Spatial Arrangement: The lower half of the house caters to social gatherings and accommodates a variety of entertainment spaces. A central pool acts as a focal point, accompanied by a ramp leading to the living room and second-floor greenhouse, meant for cultivating edible greens. The upper half of the house is dedicated to private spaces and designed for moments of tranquillity. The attic accommodates the master suite, including a bedroom, study, and gym. A courtyard at the heart of the suite provides a serene private escape, enhanced by a reflective pool for meditation and introspection. Brise Soleil: The brise-soleil on the north and south facades filter the harsh tropical sun, tempering the solar heat and glare before it reaches the interior. Lushly planted balconies, which lead to bedrooms, adjoin the brise soleil and provide an additional climatic buffer. The east and west facades, which face the neighbours, are designed with minimal openings to ensure privacy and to minimise heat gain. Interconnected spaces: The house is designed as a series of fluid and interconnected series of spaces, enhanced by multiple vertical connections. The ramp serves as a playful gesture and a functional connection, facilitating movement through the house and from the garden to the pavilion. Emphasising tropical living, the house prioritises natural ventilation through the design of airy spaces and optimised airflow. The building, raised on pilotis, allows for freely circulating air on the first floor, whilst openable windows facing north and south facilitate cross ventilation above. Courtyards and voids are interspersed through the house, to facilitate ventilation through the stack effect by allowing warm air to escape through the top and drawing in cool air through lower level openings. Conclusion In conclusion, this contemporary tropical house exemplifies the fusion of design principles, sustainable living, and captivating features. Inspired by Le Corbusier, it embraces open floor plans, interconnected spaces, and a strong integration with nature.