Having lived in this corner terraced home with his family for about three decades, David Tan, a pilot in his 60s, decided that it was timely to demolish and rebuild the property so that it can better cater to their needs.
“We wanted a home that would allow us to have larger spaces for gatherings of friends and family, while at the same time preserve a sense of privacy, calm and quiet in the bedroom spaces. It was also important to us to mitigate the westerly sun and facilitate cross-ventilation in the home,” says David, who moved back into the new home in December 2022 after a 15-month construction.
Who Lives Here A couple in their 60s, adult daughter, and pet boxer
Home A corner terraced home in Bukit Timah
Size 2,930 sq ft (land area)
4,500 sq ft (approximate Gross Floor Area)
Interior Designer Atelier IF
![h_d-1403237152-711x1024-1 Vines that drape down from the second storey outdoor terrace form a veil that screens the spaces below from the sun and softens the hard edges of the exterior of this corner terrace house in Bukit Timah.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/h_d-1403237152-711x1024-1.jpg)
Corner Terrace House
As a corner terraced property, the home has multiple faces. Every opening, every material and every element offers a clue to the stories that are unfolding within and reflects the differentiated and distinct spatial experiences inside.
“Where privacy and a sense of restfulness is desired, small customised openings are utilised to afford views of the outside but prevent views inward. In other areas, large sliding windows and doors are introduced to open up the interior spaces to the outdoors,” Fiona explains.
![h_d-1403237171-1024x674-1 The semi-open living area of this corner terrace house in Bukit Timah conveys a sense of the outdoors and offers the family and guests a comfortable and breezy space to unwind.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/h_d-1403237171-1024x674-1.jpg)
Shielded from direct sun
The long façade on the side of the house is exposed to the afternoon sun at an angle. The rear corner that bears the brunt of the direct sun is a solid wall chamfered at 45 degrees.
The master bedroom window at the rear of the second storey has opaque, black, metal sliding panels that shield the room from the afternoon sun and achieve a full blackout effect instead of relying on interior curtains or blinds.
Semi-open living area at the front of the house
![h_d-1403237196-732x1024-1 The “black box” and sunken patio separate the semi-open living area in front from the dining area at the back of this corner terrace house in Bukit Timah.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/h_d-1403237196-732x1024-1.jpg)
Softscape Design
The external envelope consists of not just hard elements, but also softscape in planter boxes on the facades and around the periphery of the outdoor terrace on the second storey.
The vines that drape down from this outdoor terrace to the car porch and semi-open living room below form a veil that screens these spaces on the first storey from the sun and softens the hard edges of the exterior.
![h_d-1403237246-1-1024x790-1 The first storey powder room also doubles up as a convenient place to give the family pet dog his bath as it is right next to his favourite sunken patio play area.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/h_d-1403237246-1-1024x790-1.jpg)
Foyer powder room doubles up as the family pet dog’s bath area.
Indoor Outdoor Living
For David and his family, it was important for the home to have “a sense of the outdoors”. This has been addressed in the design, from the macro massing down to micro elements.
The living area on the first storey is a semi-open, naturally-ventilated space where the homeowner can host family and friends. It is almost like a very generous entrance foyer, but being set back from the front gate and car porch accords it with the appropriate semi-private space.
![1403231539_h_d-wajek-walk_0025-1024x838-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1403231539_h_d-wajek-walk_0025-1024x838-1.jpg)
Experimenting with Materials
David was open to a more experimental palette of materials, which allowed Fiona to explore the use of different materials, colours and textures.
“I chose to keep the material palette understated and raw so as to give prominence to the hand of the builder, as opposed to a clean or sterile aesthetic,” Fiona highlights.
Pine wood formwork creates an interesting textured imprint on the off-form concrete ceiling.
![1403231493_h_d-wajek-walk_0032-648x1024-1 Pine wood formwork creates an interesting textured imprint on the off-form concrete ceiling.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1403231493_h_d-wajek-walk_0032-648x1024-1.jpg)
Aircraft Porthole Windows
Portholes reminiscent of aircraft or ship cabins celebrate common bathroom spaces that are conventionally utilitarian while providing a playful and unique way of introducing daylight and ventilation.
Instead of a plain ceiling board, pine wood formwork creates an interesting textured imprint on the off-form concrete ceiling in some of the key spaces to enhance the character of the spaces.
![1403231484_h_d-wajek-walk_0030-850x1024-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1403231484_h_d-wajek-walk_0030-850x1024-1.jpg)
Steel Staircase
Positioned in front of the lift, the black steel staircase core weaves its way up to the second floor like a ribbon.
![1403231547_h_d-wajek-walk_0027-1024x867-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1403231547_h_d-wajek-walk_0027-1024x867-1.jpg)
Living & Dining Room
Away from the friends, chatter, and entertaining, the family’s private living area is located on the second story – looking out onto an outdoor terrace located right above the car porch.
Bi-fold and sliding doors allow the dining room to be fully-opened or enclosed as an intimate gathering space when dinner parties are held.
![h_d-1403237237-1024x832-1 Bi-fold and sliding doors allow the dining room to be fully-opened or enclosed as an intimate gathering space when dinner parties are held.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/h_d-1403237237-1024x832-1.jpg)
Bi-fold and sliding doors allow the dining room to adapt to a private dinner or parties
![1403231436_h_d-wajek-walk_0044-977x1024-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1403231436_h_d-wajek-walk_0044-977x1024-1.jpg)
Daughter’s Bedroom
Taking into account the daughter’s need for greater privacy, a gentle ramp demarcates the space between the guest room in front and her room at the rear.
![1403231380_h_d_3-wajek-walk-826x1024-1 A lightweight, perforated steel deck is inserted in-between the guest room and the daughter’s room. This makes for a conducive reading area.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1403231380_h_d_3-wajek-walk-826x1024-1.jpg)
![1403231406_h_d_3-wajek-walk-819x1024-1 Fiona made use of the space above the metal deck to create a ‘secret’ nook.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1403231406_h_d_3-wajek-walk-819x1024-1.jpg)
Here, a lightweight, perforated steel deck is inserted in-between the guest room and the daughter’s room. This makes for a conducive reading area. The metal deck allows natural light to filter from the skylight above through the steel perforations to the spaces below, thereby reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day.
![1403231423_h_d_3-wajek-walk-1024x762-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1403231423_h_d_3-wajek-walk-1024x762-1.jpg)
Finally, the space above the metal deck was used to create a ‘secret’ nook.
![1403231458_h_d-wajek-walk_0041-1024x739-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1403231458_h_d-wajek-walk_0041-1024x739-1.jpg)
Guest Bedroom
The green walls and reddish micro cement floor in the guest room offer guests a playful, yet restful space. The wardrobe in the guest room is designed with wheels to allow the flexibility of moving it according to the guest’s needs.
An en suite guest bedroom complete with a wardrobe
![1403231476_h_d_3-wajek-walk-871x1024-1 The wardrobe in the guest room is designed with wheels to allow the flexibility of moving it according to the guest’s needs.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1403231476_h_d_3-wajek-walk-871x1024-1.jpg)
![1403231525_h_d-wajek-walk_0023-1024x706-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1403231525_h_d-wajek-walk_0023-1024x706-1.jpg)
Master Bedroom
The master bedroom has two entrances: via the walk-in wardrobe or the balcony. This minimises disturbance to the couple on occasions when their sleep patterns may vary.
A timber pocket door separates the walk-in wardrobe from the sleeping area within the master bedroom.
![1403231505_h_d-wajek-walk_0035-1024x815-1 A timber pocket door separates the walk-in wardrobe from the sleeping area within the master bedroom.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1403231505_h_d-wajek-walk_0035-1024x815-1.jpg)
A sliding wood pocket door that tucks neatly into the hollow wall when opened.
![1403231518_h_d-wajek-walk_0040-1024x795-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1403231518_h_d-wajek-walk_0040-1024x795-1.jpg)
Master Bedroom
The master bathroom is spacious and light-filled. The layout allows the couple to use the bathroom simultaneously without getting in each other’s way.