Open Courtyard House

8,400 sqft   |   Bukit Timah, Singapore

“Find a secret place and be unreachable! And then, in the silence of solitude, the things you cannot reach in the crowds will meet you there!” Mehmet Murat İldan

The Open Courtyard House stands as a luminous sanctuary nestled around a serene pool and garden. This project embodies an innovative layout that ensures every level, including with a lush garden nestled in the basement, is filled with natural light and well-ventilated.

Inspired by the tranquillity of an oasis, the design began with the vision of creating an internal courtyard. This feature enhances the spatial experience, providing seamless indoor-outdoor living and dining throughout the year. The house becomes an ideal setting for cooking, working, relaxing, and entertaining. The verdant foliage and tranquil waters of this green and blue oasis not only elevate the aesthetic appeal of the space but also promote a sense of well-being through a harmonious interplay of textures and colours.

The design prioritizes natural light and airflow throughout. A spacious, open floor plan on the ground level maximizes sunlight and ventilation, while the internal courtyard ensures cross ventilation and daylight reach every room. On the upper floor housing the bedrooms, a ‘screening’ concept is applied, where the external facade acts as a gentle veil, separating public and private realms.

A minimalist palette maintains a seamless visual continuity, enhanced by materials like Travertine cladding and Teakwood sunscreens and panelling. The custom white dry kitchen serves as a social hub, while the white marble flooring enhances the luminous atmosphere. Bespoke joinery, featuring walnut plywood for storage and open bookshelves along the corridor, adds functional elegance.

The Open Courtyard House thus embodies a blend of functionality, tranquillity, and luminosity, offering an urban haven with a simple and yet refined material palette.

Singapore design architect for tropical modern landed houses and residential projects