#experimentation
WOOD, CONCRETE, RESIDENTIAL
Nicholas Burns associates: nicholas-burns.com
A series of open spaces clustered against the core. The core provides, structure, vertical circulation, services and adjacent has all baths and the kitchen maximising efficiency.
Adaptable space, these open spaces and freed from pre determined function, the structure
is designed to allow reconfiguration to future needs, walls can be erected where required
Materials are chosen for their inherent qualities. Recycled golden teak, fair faced concrete,
stone and steel all offer duality of function. Their richness and texture provides the
decorative element.
Structure, the bones of the house are on display creating clear open space with a sense of
seamlessness interconnecting with the gardens and landscape, framing views. The
structural grid provides a logic, an order with which every element and detail diminishing in
scale relates to and relies on.
Detail, details are painstakingly distilled and resolved, nothing is left undone. The intention
is the create an ease, a wholeness, a stillness…a sense of timelessness .
Experience, the journey through the house is one of wholeness with distinct parts offering
a layered and complex series of experiences. Enclosure and compression expands to
openness, the contrasts emphasis the feeling of space. Views are framed, and vary in
scale, sometimes intimate and close into a court, other times expanding into borrowed
landscape of the jungle and out to distant vistas.
Environment, the house is designed for the tropical climate. The recycled teak screen and
desk fits over the concrete structure and glazing protecting it from the sun allowing the
thermal mass of the concrete to stabilise the internal temperature. Cross ventilation, the
other critical element of tropical design is maximises, the glass openness allowing even
slight breezes to freely flow throughout he house creating a level of comfort. On the
mechanical side, the climate control is the energy efficient aided by double glazing. The
hot water is heated using a heat pump, utilising the free heat form the air and then
circulated so hot water is available at taps with wasting water. Materials are reduced, the
structure is exposed. The structural design using flat slabs reduces concrete usage by
25%. All of the timber is recycled. All of the materials are chosen to minimise surface
treatments and unnecessary materials.
Landscape, the landscape uses species that suit the climate, that thrive with minimal
intervention. The rear area merges with the jungle enhancing the element of borrowed
landscape.
CREDITS
Studio: Nicholas Burns Associates
Project name: Sentosa House
Year: 2012
Location: Sentosa Cove, Singapore
Client: Confidential
Project Team: Nicholas Burns, Antony Lemos, Yonas Kuragi
Size and total area: 500msq
Image credits Courtesy of: Patrick Bing
A series of open spaces clustered against the core. The core provides, structure, vertical circulation, services and adjacent has all baths and the
ham-Hall
