Four Families Under One Roof

With this home designed for a large extended family, Park + Associates demonstrates its architectural expertise.

- LOW SHI PING

Park Associates has just completed a residential project that might just be considered the epitome of multigenerational living.

Working in its favour is a sizable plot measuring 2,454.36sqm. The upward-sloping terrain has a difference of 10m between the lowest and highest points, which gives it a unique layer of complexity.

The bungalow houses a quartet of nuclear families and their helpers, totalling approximately 20 people. Each has their own two-storey living quarters, and the house appears divided into four sections when seen from the street.

Christina Thean, Director of Park + Associates, describes the composition as a "scattered arrangement of smaller housing blocks with intermittent pockets of private green spaces for each family, instead of the usual large volume".

With its straight horizontal and vertical lines, accented with wood and glass, and arranged irregularly, it certainly gives that impression. "Yet, you get the sense that varied as they are, they are all still siblings," she quips.

In addition to the lava stone and grey granite used, a collection of human-sized boulders at the base give the illusion that the upper storeys rest firmly on a solid foundation.

A HIDDEN HEART

The main entrance is through the garage, which comfortably fits eight cars. It is dimly lit to create the feeling of walking through a cave. As soon as the doors open, the eye is immediately drawn to a lushly landscaped indoor courtyard that is not readily apparent from the street.