House Remodeling 55 Blair Road Conservation Ong & Ong
Architect: Ong & Ong Pte Ltd
Location: 55 Blair Road, Singapore
Design Team: Diego Molina and Maria Arango Camilo Pelaez
Project Team: Diego Molina and Maria Arango Camilo Pelaez, Ryan Manuel, Linda Qing
Interior Design: YPS
Project Year: 2009
Area: 288 m2
Photo: Derek Swalwell
55 Blair Road produces a spatial experience that stimulates the senses through the meticulous and subtle use of light sources and materials. This house weaves a dialogue between the proposed elements of a contemporary type, the natural and existing parts that must remain with the Art Deco character, and that is part of an urban architectural conservation in Singapore.
The project is a restoration and renovation of a traditional Art Deco style. For its characteristic being and narrow, this type of housing was slightly dark, why it decides to tackle the subject of light as a key design element. According to the rules for intervention in architectural conservation land, there are several elements that must remain and can not be modified, among which is the conservation of the virtual boundary line that surrounds the house. Similarly, the entire facade should be restored to the smallest detail to continue the homogeneity in the language of the sector in which it is located. Meanwhile, inside the building, the spectrum is broader intervention.
The house program is developed around a young couple. Thus, housing is designed in two main parts: social area (first floor) and Private zone (second and third floor).
The social and entertainment zone merges into a large living room spaces, living and other social activities. Here predominantly vertical movement, defined as a spiral staircase that has a more sculptural and contemplative. The fluidity of space complements the interior garden and swimming pool that offers a different pace contrasts with the constant symmetry of the rest of the house, like the strongest lines of the house.
The private area is incorporated within the second floor, with a main room, study, dressing room and a bath cantilevered over the pool. Attached to these spaces predominate, is an attic which houses a guest room, bathroom and storage.
A large pool of light is integrated into the scheme of the house. By this vacuum, it is possible to bring more light to the intermediate spaces not previously boasted of the immediate bearing facades. Also, this gap in the middle of the house, the overall volume divided into two parts - anterior and posterior - which define the area of the house and the area of services. The vacuum surrounding surfaces have been lightly coated with a reflective material to increase the incidence of sun light inside during the day. The modern record of coating, designed in aluminum contrasts with the traditional elements of ornamentation.
At the bottom of this pool is a pool vacuum that adds several blue on the white walls of the rest of the house. A frangipani tree decorate this area open to the sky, adding more textures and warm tones into space. The well of light not only acts as an attractor of light but as an element that facilitates natural ventilation.
Continuity is a quality spaces that are planned leading to achieve broader sense the interior spaces and create a more direct relationship between the inside and outside. Therefore, the least amount of walls and partitions were covered by the scheme in order to allow light to flow through.
On the first floor of the posterior extension of the house, straightening up the kitchen area, clad in aluminum, similar to the perimeter walls of the pool. In the same space there is a teak wood dining room inn that opens to the pool. The second floor is a room service and in the dining terrace is proposed as a free element from the rest of the house, looking over the empty and garden.
