The 45 Faber Park concept was to create a living space open to the outdoors in a clean contemporary aesthetic for a couple with three young children. The building would need to allow fluid movement between each space within and perform as a sustainable mechanism. In order to maximize space, the idea of pushing the mass of the building into the corner of the plot was developed. The concept of defining the bedroom areas and activity spaces as separate elements allowed for the final scheme to be reached. From the exterior, each element appears as a separate entity, however internally these have a strong connection to each other.
The second storey of the house, representing a more private area, is cantilevered over the driveway. The cantilever gives the entrance to the house an enclosed, protected feel. The material used here is an alloy of titanium and zinc which gives this rectangular volume a dark matt finish. The external materials, chosen in subtle tones, define and reflect the more intimate space of the house. The arrangement of spaces on the second floor is a functional response to the needs of the inhabitants. In response to this, the spaces created were introspective and focused on privacy. In order to create pleasant sleeping areas the height of the ceilings was set lower compared to the ceilings in the social areas. Leading from the quiet family room upstairs is a green roof which provides additional outdoor space. It is equipped with a BBQ pit that overlooks the pool beneath. This space represents an ideal entertaining area or a contemplation garden.
From the beginning, the house was designed as a sustainable scheme. The orientation of the house was strategically positioned to allow the prevailing wind to cross ventilate the social spaces. The large opening throughout the house encourages natural light and ventilation within the house. Certain key materials were chosen to help manage the environment of the house. The high thermal mass qualities of in-situ concrete and terrazzo help to cool the house. Skylights are strategically placed to encourage natural ventilation. The windows of the upper private area were recessed to provide sun shading, reducing the solar gain received by the windows. Each sustainable measure reduces the need of non-renewable energy resources to cool or to light the house. With constraints of limited green space in Singapore, this design finds a solution which optimizes indoor and outdoor space whilst emphasizing the relationship between the two. – Ong & Ong Architects
