d+a | Issue 116 • Jun/July 2020

/ ABODE / 66 and provide privacy for the inhabitants. “The screens allow us to visually tie together the attic and the second level,” says Koh. The attic bathroom, which comes with a steam room, enjoys the view of greenery made even more poetic as it is layered by the metal screen. The freestanding bathtub serves both as a sculptural centrepiece and a functioning amenity. Housed within the elbow of the L-shaped plan, the main stairwell enjoys ample natural light streaming in via a skylight. As the day progresses, sunlight filtering through the screen paints the woodgrain, marble and fairface concrete with shadows. “Burmese teak has this distinct warm- toned golden hue, and the pieces used for the house have been meticulously curated for their colour and grain consistency,” shares Koh. The stairwell area is both Tan and Koh’s favourite part of the design. “It shows that a utilitarian space can be more than just that – it can be a poetic space with the right amount of light and shadow,” says Tan. ABOVE. The porthole cut through the wall is a nod to the moon gate and just one of the many small touches that pay tribute to Asian heritage. KOH SOCK MUI, ASSOCIATE ARCHITECT, RT+Q ARCHITECTS