Chew told the design team to keep the concept simple and make sure the spaces have regular shapes. “Some houses have interesting exteriors but inside, the rooms are odd-shaped and not usable,” he commented.
Helmed by TK Quek and Rene Tan, RT+Q Architects is prolific in Singapore, having designed more than 100 houses over the past 20 years. In 2023, the firm released its first monograph titled Rethinking the Tropical House, showcasing 29 of its inventive creations that are designed to work well with the local climate.
The design team, comprising the founders, senior associate Koh Sock Mui and architectural executive Ian Soon, placed two rectangular blocks in a perpendicular layout on the plot. “This allows for the creation of a front garden and rear pool area, both of which can be enjoyed from the living room and study, where the owners work or study from home alongside their two sons. Also, the house was developed during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in 2020 so a good study area was foremost in most clients’ minds, including Phillip,” said Tan.
