This house lets light in, but maintains privacy, with a large screen wall

October 18, 2015

Screen House by Materium

 

Materium have designed the Screen House, a home in Singapore, that features a large screen, allowing light in, while at the same time providing privacy.

 

Screen House by Materium

The designer’s description

Conjoined to its immediate neighbor on one side, this semi-detached house in Singapore separates from its neighbour at the other, by a mere 4 meters.

Screen House by Materium

Local planning regulations stipulates this minimum 4 meter wide airspace, which often becomes the maximum as owners more often than not, build to the broadest allowable width on the typically deep and narrow plots. The requisites for daylight and ventilation, at this degree of proximity, gives rise to the question of privacy.

Screen House by Materium

The design responds with a screen wall that attempts to mediate the dilemma of openings versus overlooking. All bedrooms are pushed to the front and rear to take advantage of corresponding views out, appearing as solid walls on the side elevation.

Screen House by Materium

Whatever leftover of this side facade is infilled with precast concrete vent blocks above the ground floor boundary wall. This creates a porous wall which acts as a climatic filter screening out the tropical sun yet encouraging natural cross-ventilation. With a thickness of 100 mm, the vent blocks not only limit views in, but also deflect light, infusing the interior with a wash of diffused daylighting.

Screen House by Materium

Within, the L shaped wall screens a series of inward looking spaces for its inhabitants that comprises the living, dining and family lounge.

Screen House by Materium

Situated around and between the bedrooms, the double volume living and family room interlocks one another so that spatial continuity is maintained throughout these interaction spaces.

Screen House by Materium

It is here where the daily activities of the 9 family members take place, outside the privacy of their bedrooms yet engaged together in these interconnected spaces; at close quarters yet retreated to an implied distance, from the neighbors next door.

Screen House by Materium

Photography by Edward Hendricks and Fabian Ong