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A tropical house inspired by Islamic architecture

Vestibules, a common feature in Moroccan homes, bring light and breeze into this semi-detached house

    • The house's unconventional architecture hides many functional spaces.
    • The vestibule at the front of the house provides shade and privacy to the living areas.
    • The master bedroom in the attic enjoys a terrace that is given privacy with the facade screen.
    • The first storey is designed as a large open plan conducive for entertaining.
    • The courtyard on the first storey is a favourite spot of the owner's elderly mother-in-law.
    • Warm tones define the master bathroom.
    • Large glass panels open up the staircase to views of the courtyard by the party wall.
    • Raw concrete juxtaposes with warm timber in the second-storey courtyard.
    • The spiral staircase in the second-storey courtyard leads to the attic.
    • The house's unconventional architecture hides many functional spaces. PHOTO: KHOO GUO JIE
    • The vestibule at the front of the house provides shade and privacy to the living areas. PHOTO: KHOO GUO JIE
    • The master bedroom in the attic enjoys a terrace that is given privacy with the facade screen. PHOTO: KHOO GUO JIE
    • The first storey is designed as a large open plan conducive for entertaining. PHOTO: KHOO GUO JIE
    • The courtyard on the first storey is a favourite spot of the owner's elderly mother-in-law. PHOTO: KHOO GUO JIE
    • Warm tones define the master bathroom. PHOTO: KHOO GUO JIE
    • Large glass panels open up the staircase to views of the courtyard by the party wall. PHOTO: KHOO GUO JIE
    • Raw concrete juxtaposes with warm timber in the second-storey courtyard. PHOTO: KHOO GUO JIE
    • The spiral staircase in the second-storey courtyard leads to the attic. PHOTO: KHOO GUO JIE

    Luo Jingmei

    Published Thu, Sep 7, 2023 · 06:00 PM

    INSTEAD of conventional windows, this semi-detached house has an unusual frontage with a staggered, golden metal profile of scalloped panels and perforated screens. This two-storey “skin” actually wraps a vestibule – a small room between the main door and interior of a building. Designed by Kee Jing Zhi of Freight Architects, this feature was inspired by Islamic architecture.

    “The owner and his wife had been living and working abroad in the Middle East for many years,” says Kee. “Their plan was to return to Singapore to retire in this home.” The couple’s three children and the owner’s mother-in-law live together, so the house was designed with their different needs in mind.

    The house's unconventional architecture hides many functional spaces. PHOTO: KHOO GUO JIE

    “We talked about Islamic architecture, and thought the vestibule or entry courts found in riads could be a good model to adopt for the house,” adds Kee. A riad is a traditional Moroccan house or palace with an indoor garden and courtyard.

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