Spatial Symphony
d+a|Issue 99

Architecture firm RT+Q designs a trio of houses that reads like siblings. While sharing similar traits, the ‘Case Study Houses’ also offer distinct personalities and experiences articulated through unique spatial and material dynamics.

Luo Jingmei
Spatial Symphony

Before Rene Tan, co-founder of architecture firm RT+Q, settled into architecture as a career choice, his first love was music. This shows in the way musical analogies pop up when he talks about his work. For a recently completed project – a row of three gabled-roof houses he names the ‘Case Study Houses’ – he says, “We saw them as an exploration of variations to a single theme (i.e., one theme, many variations; or one form, many variations). This likens to music, for example, the many variations of Paganini’s caprice no.24, where the likes of Brahms, Rachmaninov, Liszt, Lutoslawski, etc., all took a hand in writing variations.”

Those familiar with modern architecture would recall the original ‘Case Study Houses’, where architects such as Richard Neutra, Raphael Soriano, Charles and Ray Eames and Pierre Koenig, to name a few, were called upon to design and build inexpensive and efficient model homes for United States’ post- World War Two residential housing explosion, sponsored and commissioned by Arts & Architecture magazine from 1945 to 1966.

While the three houses designed by RT+Q look nothing like their Modernist namesakes, they are still rooted in the same fundamental concept of exploring a common form or idea and expounding permutations and variations to the expressions of this form, says Melvin Keng, the architect in charge of this project.

He adds: “We sought to explore and study everything architecture: from numerous different ways of applying certain building elements, materials and down to the tectonics of architecture detailing.

The built result illustrates these studies (e.g., multiple solutions to sun-shading, multiple expressions of building edges, spatial variations, etc.). An opportunity of such exhaustive studies, at least till a certain point, would not have been possible with a single house commission.”

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Issue 99 من d+a.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Issue 99 من d+a.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من D+A مشاهدة الكل
timeless appeal
d+a

timeless appeal

Cosentino’s new collections continue to offer sustainable, durable and innovative surfaces that seamlessly blend into and enhance any contemporary space.

time-read
1 min  |
Issue 134
FIND - design fair asia 2024 returns for third edition
d+a

FIND - design fair asia 2024 returns for third edition

Exciting design innovations and the latest trends from Southeast Asia under one roof.

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 134
Global design hotspot
d+a

Global design hotspot

Highlights of Ambiente 2025: An extensive and diverse global marketplace for consumer goods

time-read
1 min  |
Issue 134
the natural balance
d+a

the natural balance

Inspired by the serene beauty of dewdrops, the Antao Collection by Villeroy & Boch transforms bathrooms into wellness sanctuaries, combining sustainability with timeless elegance.

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 134
balancing act: nature and humanity
d+a

balancing act: nature and humanity

In this inspiration-led series, we asked Jay Liu and Alex Liu, co-founders of Right Angle Studio, to dream up a unique interior concept using mainly items from Space Furniture.

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 134
rethinking, remaking, reframing
d+a

rethinking, remaking, reframing

Aoki Akio, the founder of DESIGNART TOKYO discusses the importance and legacy of Tokyo’s eminent art and design event, particularly for young creatives.

time-read
5 mins  |
Issue 134
rebuilding communities
d+a

rebuilding communities

Shift2024, the much-anticipated conference returns with a stellar line-up of prolific architects making their mark in Asian urban design.

time-read
5 mins  |
Issue 134
unparalleled italian craftsmanship
d+a

unparalleled italian craftsmanship

Filippo Arnaboldi, Chief Executive Officer of Frette, tells us how this ry lifestyle Italian brand is moving forward with times yet not forgetting about its existing legacy.

time-read
4 mins  |
Issue 134
where the mountain meets the sea
d+a

where the mountain meets the sea

This bespoke hillside residence features modern design elements, natural touches, and panoramic ocean views.

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 134
building a green home
d+a

building a green home

This semi-detached house by Zivy Architects explores passive tropical design the delight in architecture and the issues of multi-generational living.

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 134