This long site has a public footpath running along its side boundary as well as a high rise high density public housing development at the rear which was under construction. Thus privacy was a major concern for its occupants. The house is designed around 2 courtyards. The first is open to the sky and enclosed on 3 sides. The main living, dining and dry kitchen looks into this courtyard with a willow tree. The second courtyard is a more private and fully enclosed. Around this courtyard are arranged the private study and other ancillary spaces for the family. The courtyard is covered over with a glass roof with timber pergola, but it is well ventilated as there are side openings between this roof and the timber. In addition, a high volume low speed fan is mounted in the middle of the courtyard which ensures a calm and steady breeze whenever needed. The whole house is clad in a sand colored face brick which pairs very nicely with the timber form concrete used in the beams and ceiling soffit.

Name: A Tale of Two Courts
Type: 2 storey corner terrace house
Location: Wan Tho Avenue, Singapore
Site Area: 633 m2
Gross Floor Area: 794 m2
Status: Completed 2017
Architect: HYLA Architects
Principal Architect: Mr Han Loke Kwang
Assistant Architects: ‘Ann’ Tipnipa Pantipjatuporn, Thomas Ong
Main Contractor: : Emma Groups Construction Pte Ltd
Structural Engineer: GCE Consulting Engineers
Photographer: Derek Swalwell