A pavilion is both light in construction and program; the word's etymology is after all derived from the word papilion ('butterfly' in latin). House 25 is a semidetached house in Singapore by Park + Associates whose design is based on this concept.

The client wished for a simple, contemporary, and functional home—a personal retreat rather than a trophy home. It is situated in a quiet residential neighborhood facing a small park and playground.

Such a vista is rare in the island's dense urban context where openings commonly face another dwelling. "We took advantage of this and introduced a narrative whereby the house becomes an extension of the park beyond," says the Singapore-based architecture studio's director Christina Thean.

In order to fully embrace the lush views, transparency and connectivity are key devices employed in this robust home for a family of three growing boys. At the building's front, sheltered outdoor spaces relate back to the park.

Delineated by an elegant, blackened steel post-and-beam grid structural system, these interstitial zones result in the house's pavilion-like appearance. Extended roof eaves make them useable in any weather.

On the first story is a veranda by the main entrance. On the second story, a generous patio fronts the master bedroom. The permeability is both visual and visceral, letting in park views as well as natural light and breeze.

Throughout the house, operable glazing facilitates seamless indoor-outdoor movement and effective cross ventilation. Slim metal railings around the perimeter perpetuate the house's porosity.

"The railings were designed to echo the expression of the beams on the facade, tying back to the overall expression of the house," says Thean on the design language's consistency throughout the dwelling.

Behind the first story verandah, a double-volume void stretches the sense of openness upwards. This is emphasized by a tree growing from a circular sunken floor planter.

"Our approach to the verandah's design stemmed from exploring how we could introduce an additional layer of green within the space itself. In line with the house's simple and understated design, we felt a singular, striking gesture would be more suitable," says Thean.

This home's porosity is the antithesis of today's hermetic house designs that are subservient to the air-conditioner. Singapore's expensive land also means floor area is often maximized, resulting in more enclosed spaces.

Here, the client opted only for the essentials to achieve comfortable living. For instance in the master bedroom, space is given to the patio and tree void instead of a grand walk-in wardrobe or bathtub in the ensuite.

The first story is equally suited to the client's lifestyle. He enjoys entertaining and hosting parties so the fluid plan means guests can traverse easily between internal and external zones.

Sliding screen doors at the kitchen maintain this porosity while hiding cooking activity. There are three bedrooms on the second story (including the master bedroom) and three at the attic. An open terrace at the attic's rear completes each level's provision of outdoor spaces.

The house's precise execution enables its minimal expressions to be fully appreciated. "The grid-like configuration stemmed from rethinking how structure could be intentionally expressed within a building. We drew attention to the structural beams on the eaves and overhangs as a key design feature that we affectionately term 'chopsticks' due to their proportion and centre groove detail," says Thean.

At the first story's outdoor zones, a brushed Oak-veneer ceiling infills the matrix of beams to make this detail apparent. Its warmth softens the steel structure and dark grey aluminum roof eaves' industrial character. Natural stone flooring in muted tones complete the refined aesthetic.

The pavilion concept is well suited for tropical living. It provides usable, thermally comfortable outdoor spaces that are protected from the harsh sun and ample rain.

"One of the client's key concerns was that the house would be too hot. That was another reason that pushed us to introduce the deep overhangs spanning up to nine meters," explains Thean.

Shop the Look

This datum reminisces the Malay kampong vernacular and black-and-white colonial houses built by foreign settlers to Singapore that are also driven by passive modes of living in such climes.

House 25 exhibits how these traditional systems are still relevant in this era. Its open way of living embraces rather than disengages from its context.

Related Reading: A New Loft Level Upgrades This Luminous Apartment in Singapore

Project Credits:

Architect: Park + Associates /@parkassociates

Builder: Dreambuild Pte Ltd

Structural Engineer: CP Lim & Partners

Lighting company: E-Lume

Interior Designer: Stacey Leong Interiors / @staceyleonginteriors

Carpenter: JS Carpentry

Photography: Khoo Guo Jie / @khoogj_