ONG&ONG transformed a former shophouse into the '17BR-House,' a contemporary home in Singapore. The original building was constructed in the early to mid-1900s, functioning as a Peranakan shophouse. The new owners wanted to retain the history and personality of the structure, while simultaneously ensuring a livable space.
The first floor features an inner courtyard, offering natural light and ventilation throughout the home. A green wall and accompanying carpet grass completes the courtyard. This space becomes the focal point for the first floor, which has a lack of dividing walls, allowing for a fluid transition from the kitchen to the living area.
Beyond the courtyard, another visual attraction of the home is found in the spiral staircase. The dramatic structure features a vertical circulation; at its peak, a skylight provides an opportunity for natural light to descend into the home.
What's Driving This Trend
- Preserved Historic Homes
- Retaining historical structures while creating contemporary living spaces.
- Inner Courtyards
- Utilizing inner courtyards to enhance natural light and airflow in homes.
- Spiral Staircase Design
- Incorporating visually striking spiral staircases as design focal points.
Who This Affects Most
- Architecture
- Architects can explore innovative ways to preserve historical buildings while meeting modern living requirements.
- Interior Design
- Interior designers can leverage inner courtyards to create well-lit and well-ventilated living spaces in both residential and commercial buildings.
- Construction
- Construction companies can specialize in designing and constructing visually impressive spiral staircases for residential and commercial properties.
