Revolution in suburbia

FORCE OF NATURE: Rainwater from the roof swales will be channelled to the bio-retention point through a network of drains that have been artfully designed to look like small streams.

PHOTO: ARTHUR SIM

FORCE OF NATURE: Facade of Tsao residence is partially covered with vertical planted walls and weather-worn timber cladding.

PHOTO: ARTHUR SIM

FORCE OF NATURE: The architectural massing of the forms of the house is broken down into three components or ‘fingers’.

PHOTO: ARTHUR SIM

FORCE OF NATURE: Photovoltaic cells or solar panels on the roof.

PHOTO: ARTHUR SIM

FORCE OF NATURE: From the street, the house seems to almost fade into the surrounding green verge.

PHOTO: ARTHUR SIM

'We salvaged the wood from the wooden trusses of the old house.' - Mrs Tsao on some of the timber for the outdoor decking that came from the single-storey house that used to stand on the site

PHOTO: ARTHUR SIM

LET THERE BE LIGHT: Natural light is maximised and where possible, skylights have been added.

PHOTO: ARTHUR SIM

LET THERE BE LIGHT: Bedrooms have large window openings for natural ventilation

PHOTO: ARTHUR SIM

KEEPING IT SIMPLE: Breakfast room and dry kitchen with a view of the swimming pool. Tanks that collect rainwater are hidden under the timber decking in the courtyard where the swimming pool is located.

PHOTO: ARTHUR SIM

PERSONAL SPACE

Revolution in suburbia

At the Tsao residence, there's none of the usual opulence one would associate with a multi-million dollar home as the family invests instead in green technology.

15/08/2015 - 05:50

Arthur Sim

FOR a multi-million dollar house, some might find the new home of Darani Winnie Tsao a little underwhelming. Nestled in District 10, one of Singapore's most exclusive neighbourhoods, its nondescript facade - partially covered with vertical planted walls and weather-worn timber cladding - seems