Designed for a family of five, this three storey family home in eastern Singapore is defined by a series of staggered voids internally which invites daylight to cascade down from the third to first stories, creating a warm and uplifting environment for its inhabitants.

Upon entry, the expansive living flows onto the open dry kitchen which acts as a backdrop, adorned with pendant lights over a large island counter. Next to it, a double volume dining space with 7.5m ceiling height is the focal point of the house. An oversized fan sits over the custom-made dining table for ten.

Key to the central design concept is the open riser staircase, which is located on the building edge as opposed to the typical position abutting the party wall. Underneath the stairs, a reflection pool with a water feature introduces the sound of flowing water into the house. By freeing up the space along the party wall, a landscape bridge on the second storey was able to be suspended over the dry kitchen, providing a linkway between the childrens’ bedrooms. On the bridge, a single ficus tree was chosen as a landscape feature, with loose river pebbles and rocks to reproduce the look of an indoor zen garden. Open common areas for the family piano and reading library are sited on both ends of the bridge, with views down to the dining. This allows various uses for the family members at all parts of the house, while avoiding the creation of dead zones and narrow corridors. Aptly termed as Lightfall House, natural daylight first washes the landscape bridge on the second storey directly from the skylight above, then spills over down to the living and dining spaces on the first storey. Varying shadows are cast on the internal wall surfaces throughout the day, depending on the sun position and weather conditions.

The third storey is divided into two wings, with the smaller in the front containing the family study, and a larger master suite comprising a sitting area, bedroom, walk-in-wardrobe and bathroom complete with a custom-made sunken shower and dressing table.

Throughout the house, materials were chosen to reflect its contemporary nature, such as ebony stained wood, straight-veined marbles and black coated metal. The design also employs the use of natural light and spatial qualities to create openness throughout the house, enjoyed by the occupants in their everyday living.