The 29-year-old architectural designer Sharne Sulaiman and his family purchased this property in 2019 after the en bloc sale of their condominium.
The existing single-storey detached home dating back to the 1960s was demolished to make way for a new three-storey bungalow for him, his parents, grandmother and their helper.
Who Lives Here A three-generation family
Home A detached home in Sembawang Springs
Size 5,106 sq ft (land area); 5,422 sq ft (Gross Floor Area GFA)
Interior Designer LT&T Avid Architects Pte Ltd
![h_d-0304230269-1024x911-1 An Arco floor lamp arches gracefully over the Cattelan Italia Planer dining table and Gubi 3D dining chairs.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/h_d-0304230269-1024x911-1.jpg)
Modernist Architecture
In formulating the brief and design, Sharne, who self-designed the home in collaboration with LT&T Avid Architects took reference from Richard Neutra’s methodology.
The Austrian-American modernist architect was known for using detailed questionnaires that allowed him to better understand his clients’ needs. He would then come up with designs that addressed these real needs rather than impose his own vision on the clients.
“One of the questions that I asked my parents was ‘What do you want the house to do for you?’ And our conclusion was that we wanted a place where we can create memories, a blank canvas of sorts,” says Sharne.
![h_d-0304230015-1024x637-1 The gold-on-black Cosentino Sensa Orinoco marble island and backsplash make a bold statement against the home’s predominantly neutral palette.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/h_d-0304230015-1024x637-1.jpg)
Balau Wood Sunshades
One of the overarching concepts was that of tropicality.
Sunshading in the form of vertical balau timber fins on the façade help to moderate the sun and light that penetrates the interior. Floor-to-ceiling doors and windows complemented by high level openings, such as those at the double volume central atrium above the dining area, facilitate natural cross-ventilation.
Monsoon windows incorporated into the western elevation that runs alongside the straight flight staircase provide another effective means of ventilating the home naturally while keeping the rain out.
![h_d-0304230030-922x1024-1 Double volume spaces and high-level openings are just some of the design features that embody principles of tropical architecture.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/h_d-0304230030-922x1024-1.jpg)
Sharne adopted an outside-in approach in terms of how the abode and its occupants would relate to nature and vice versa. It is a two-way interaction of how the home can contribute to the surrounding ecology while protecting the occupants.
Rainwater Harvesting Pool
A reflective pool in the front garden recycles rainwater from the roof to create a cool microclimate around the home’s immediate vicinity.
Together with lush landscaping around the boundary and native plant species at the sky garden on the third storey, the water element and greenery embody the use of passive strategies that help to reduce the cooling load within the home, thereby also minimising energy usage.
Solar Panels
38 solar panels and a solar water heater contribute towards the home’s sustainability. After offsetting the household’s own consumption, excess solar-generated electricity is sold back to the grid.
Sharne shares that their monthly utility bill often amounts to under $50 or even a credit in their favour.
![h_d-0304230006-826x1024-1 The double- volume ceiling height creates an impressive feel above the headturning kitchen counter.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/h_d-0304230006-826x1024-1.jpg)
Private vs Public Spaces
The spaces in the home are inspired by Mies van der Rohe’s open plan architecture.
“A spatial continuum is moulded through the architectonic placement of walls that slide past each other to hide private spaces while revealing public ones,” Sharne explains.
A straight flight staircase that extends almost the entire length of the home and a central atrium form the datums around which the spaces within the home are arranged.
In addition, the full-height doors and windows in the bedrooms blur the boundary between the external sky and the internal ceiling.
![h_d-0304230034-1024x773-1 Gracing the wall of the powder room is an eye-catching Christine mirror by Fiam. Its irregular frame creates an interesting play of light and reflections.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/h_d-0304230034-1024x773-1.jpg)
Designer Furniture
The gallery-like spaces provide the perfect backdrop for the father-and-son’s collection of furniture, lamps and other designer home furnishings.
These comprise items that were brought over from their previous home, as well as newly-acquired pieces from B&B Italia, Molteni & C and Shigeru Uchida among others. Sharne likens the furniture in his home to the art that fills a gallery.
![h_d-0304230023-1024x760-1 The living room resembles a furniture gallery showcasing pieces from Sharne and his father’s collection, including an Omnia by Maxalto sofa and Alanda by Paolo Piva coffee table from B&B Italia.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/h_d-0304230023-1024x760-1.jpg)
![030423_h_d_12-jln-shaer0011_h_d_jln-shaer-1024x926-1 Vintage sewing machines sitting on top of a bookshelf.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/030423_h_d_12-jln-shaer0011_h_d_jln-shaer-1024x926-1.jpg)
Wheelchair Friendly House
Barrier-free design considerations are extremely important for a multi-generation home, even more so as Sharne’s grandmother requires the use of a wheelchair to get around.
Finished floor level changes are kept to a minimal and most bathrooms have a small drop in floor level that is typical in wet areas.
However, his grandmother’s attached bathroom in particular was designed to be levelled with her bedroom so as to facilitate the movement of the wheelchair.
A lift comes in handy when she needs to get from her bedroom on the second storey to the living or dining areas downstairs.
![030423_h_d_12-jln-shaer0124_h_d_jln-shaer-1024x858-1 Sharne’s bedroom is divided into a sleeping area and a home office-cum- lounge.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/030423_h_d_12-jln-shaer0124_h_d_jln-shaer-1024x858-1.jpg)
![030423_h_d_12-jln-shaer0073_hdr_h_d_jln-shaer-1024x777-1 An internal wall separates the sleeping area from the home office within Sharne’s room.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/030423_h_d_12-jln-shaer0073_hdr_h_d_jln-shaer-1024x777-1.jpg)
![030423_h_d_12-jln-shaer0084_hdr_h_d_jln-shaer-691x1024-1 A walk-in wardrobe is located behind Sharne’s bed.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/030423_h_d_12-jln-shaer0084_hdr_h_d_jln-shaer-691x1024-1.jpg)
![030423_h_d_12-jln-shaer0045_hdr_h_d_jln-shaer-780x1024-1 The walk-in wardrobe and attached bathroom in Sharne’s parents’ bedroom have a thoughtful and efficient His and Hers layout arranged on either side.](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/030423_h_d_12-jln-shaer0045_hdr_h_d_jln-shaer-780x1024-1.jpg)
Construction Took 21 Months
The design took about six months with an additional 15 months for the construction. The Sulaiman family moved into their new home in May 2022.
While Sharne declined to reveal the total cost of the project, he shared that he was extremely mindful about cost and maintenance issues during the design process. Certain items, such as automated curtains, were omitted due to cost considerations.
He originally intended for the balau timber fins to extend throughout all four elevations, but prioritised certain facades in order to keep within budget. These were done mindfully without compromising the design intent.