It’s always a pleasure to create equally welcoming premises for cherished friends and a loving family… The best of both worlds in one magnificent home.

This terrace house began with ‘a view’. Scenically, the view included a bird’s eye perspective of the sub suburban neighbourhood in which it stood. Metaphorically, the view was to create a house that entertained friends while making family members feel special as well.

To begin with, we ensured that the main living room on the second floor unabashedly faced the quaint urban town. Following suite, we then developed the first floor with a gorgeous family, kitchen and dining ensemble on the same front side, which could tempt any guest to step in!

In doing so, we had successfully established both the private family section second floor and more outgoing first floor. Though this type of spatial hierarchy is an age old concept, our sleek modern take on it, raised its coolness quotient a few notches for sure!

However, to bring out the very best in this terrace house, we needed to bring in more light and air into this unusually long building (exceeding 30 metres, believe it or not!). We placed a grand light and air well in its centre and began planning all else around it. We also accessorised the well and its surrounding areas with spacey steel canopies, aluminium louvres, and sliding glass doors, making it the highly deserving centre of attention. All other rooms too were strategically arranged around the three storey high light well.

To boost the height of the house, we pushed as far as the URA attic guidelines allowed us. We raised the roof (literally!) to make lofty upper levels. We took a huge section out of the steel roof to accommodate a clever roof terrace (what’s a terrace house without a terrace, right?!) that separated the mezzanine floors above the living room and master bedroom. Together the well and central open terrace was like a breath of fresh air for the entire house.

Lastly, we used an earthy materials palette consisting of ceramic tiles, painted steel, natural finish aluminium, and teak timber strips.

All in all, it emerged as a home one would love to live and make merry in!