Modern Home That Resonates With The Nuances Of The Old

This modern home resonates with the nuances of the old. LYNN TAN delves into its past to see how it has inspired the new elements.

- Lynn Tan

WHO LIVES HERE

A family of five

HOME An inter-terrace house in Joo Chiat

SIZE 3,460 sq ft

When Ng Sier Han and his wife Jasmine Soh found this interterrace property in Joo Chiat, it was in its original 1970s condition – from the exterior right down to the light fittings, fans and grilles. The midcentury architecture appealed to the couple, who wanted to retain as much of the original style as possible.

“We feel that not enough properties are being conserved today. Our vision was to respect the surrounding rows of interterraces from the same period while updating the interior for modern living,” says Sier Han.

The couple, both in banking, engaged architecture firm Ong&Ong through a friend’s recommendation. Directors Diego Molina and Maria Arango helmed the design, while project designer Ryan Manuel oversaw the day-to-day running of the project.

Apart from conserving as many of the 1970s elements as possible and updating the house to meet the needs of three generations, including two boys aged four and three and Jasmine’s mother, the clients’ brief also asked for an open design. “This would allow us to supervise the children at play while we are working and for the kids to see us if we are entertaining friends,” Jasmine explains.

For this major Addition and Alteration (A&A) project, it was important for the massing of the new place to relate to the low-rise form and understated quality of the original house and its neighbours. This was achieved by setting back the third storey and roof terrace volume so that it appears to be two storeys from the street level.