Astrid Hill House by Tsao & McKown Architects
This private residence is conceived as a model of sustainable design and a re-interpretation of a traditional Chinese courtyard house.
The design divides different programmatic requirements (residential spaces for the owners and their extended family, office spaces, and entertaining areas) into separate branches connected by an open-air two-story atrium. These branches can be shut down independently in order to conserve energy use when unoccupied. The open-ended courtyards and multiple interior/exterior rooms are complemented in this tropical setting by lush landscaping that integrates the house with the surrounding land.
The building’s massing and fenestration are organized to minimize solar heat gain. The design also makes use of green roofs and living walls that provide significant evaporative cooling plus a rainwater harvesting system that supplies the water features. Light wells weave from the roof to the basement to bring natural light to the interiors and reduce the need for artificial lighting during the day. A small garden supplies enough vegetables and herbs to feed the residents.
The House Design Project Information:
- Project Name: Astrid Hill House
- Location: Singapore
- Type: Contemporary House
- Project Year: 2015
- Designed by: Tsao & McKown Architects
- Area: 989 m²
- Materials: Wood, Glass, Concrete
- Landscape Architect: BHN Architecture PTE LTD
- Lighting Consultant: Wald Studio, LLC
- Local Architect: Metaphor Design + Architecture
Photos by: Tsao & McKown Architects & Richard Bryant


View more: A Stunning Contemporary Home with Spaces Full of Natural Light in London's Hyde Park


Related: A Sophisticated Modern Desert Home with Mountain and Water Views in Palm Desert, California


Here: A Beautiful Modern House Made of Concrete Boxes and Timber Elements in Singapore



Read also: A Charming Mountain Home in the Valley of San Nicolas, Colombia



Next: A House with a Modernized Victorian Vibe Filled with Texture Appearance in Cerano D'intelvi, Italy



Check out: A Stunning Modern Isolated Home with Spectacular Views in Catalunya


Join the discussion