The finely detailed screens of No.19 Jalan Angin Laut presents a sleek facade to its neighbors, concealing a house nestled into a garden in Singapore, designed by HYLA Architects. Its entrance is elevated above the ground, where one has to ascend a glass staircase to enter the house. Opening the solid timber front door, one is greeted with a swimming pool and patio surrounded by lush greenery, amply shaded overhead but admitting light and air from the sides, this space is a paradigm of living comfortably in the tropics.

A glass bridge spanning lightly across the pool leads into the living room. This bridge extends the threshold of the house, prolonging the act of entering and highlighting the importance of this space to the overall design of the house. The rest of the house takes its cues from this scene, the main living spaces being punctuated with light, greenery and timber accents. Together with the skillful manipulation of solids and voids, the overall effect achieved is that the architecture seems integrated harmoniously with nature.

Photos: Derek Swalwell