With a limited budget, a couple in Singapore with kids and two sets of parents wanted to build a forever home. “They wanted something that was future proof, meaning it had to accommodate the grandparents and children at the same time,” says project architect Low Ming Fang, cofounder of local studio Alittlepractice with Lin Huiying. To make room for all, they placed emphasis on a mix of private areas for quiet seclusion and communal spaces for family bonding. But with party walls on two sides, they had to be clever about creating a connection with the outdoors.

Lin and Fang solved for this by placing a courtyard at the center of the plan that divides the house into two parts. The front contains a study area-cum-guestroom on the first level, with the grandparents’ bedrooms upstairs. To the rear on the first level are the living, kitchen, and dining areas, which are positioned for views of open grasslands. On the second level, the primary bed gets a similar vista.

The courtyard itself is critical for light, air, and family connection. “It provides a breathing space for the entire house while engaging the inhabitants as they traverse though the spaces,” says Lin. “From the start of the entry foyer to the back of the house and from rooms above, the courtyard is always in view. This allows the parents to keep watch over their young daughter as she plays independently around the house.” The courtyard also pulls breezes through the house, making an air conditioner unnecessary for the most part.

To keep costs low, Alittlepractice combined economical finishes with straightforward structural forms. Both the owners and the architects loved the texture and rustic quality of brick, so they sourced them secondhand to create part of the structure, giving the home a monolithic quality. Compared to plaster and paint, the laying of bricks needs more attention and time, says the firm, but the material has its benefits. “Brick is generally low maintenance and gives a strong, grounded character to a home,” says Low.

Brick was also used to clad areas with perennial exposure to Singapore’s harsh tropical weather, such as the balconies, central courtyard, and foyer. Its ruddy color is complemented by terrazzo flooring in the communal areas and the tiles in the bathrooms. “The materials selected are natural and easy to maintain,” attests Lin, adding that the simple palette throughout creates consistency, and lends a timeless, modest feel that also reflects the clients’ personalities.

The balconies abutting each bedroom also enable easy living in the tropics. “This allows for the rooms to be ventilated and shaded even in times of heavy rain and strong sunlight,” says Low. These kinds of simple, thoughtful moves make a big difference in a family home, especially when they’re created with modest means.

A Volcanic-Rock Courtyard Energizes a Dramatic Home in Shanghai

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: a little practice / @ alittlepractice

Builder: Bestlink Construction Pte Ltd

Structural and Civil Engineer: Wayda Engineering Pte Ltd