As time and technology march on, vernacular ways of building are often confined to the past. In Singapore, an island nation situated near the equator and constantly beset by sun, rain & humidity, the vernacular of tropical architecture has been rendered largely irrelevant by the modern conveniences of air-conditioning and concrete.

Situated on a gentle hillside in the suburbs off the Orchard area, the site of Verandah House boasts a near-constant breeze, creating the perfect opportunity for rethinking tropical architecture in a modern context. North-south cross-ventilation sets up the house’s basic form, culminating in a central double volume living space on the first storey that catches the breeze.

While in the north-south orientation, the site also posed a challenge as the entire façade is exposed to the western sun. With neighbours on higher ground and several residential high-rises in the area, privacy is also important to the client’s small, growing family. To mitigate these issues, Verandah House appropriates the age-old solution of verandas, typical to colonial bungalows, as an in-between space to protect the interior from harsh tropical extremities & afford privacy.