THE BLOCK

Situated next to an emerging neighbourhood, the primary requirement is to isolate the house from its surroundings. The house must be enclosed and shielded from any unwanted pollution.

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When addressing the challenge of enclosure, a key question arises: how can we design a house that is enclosed yet still open visually? The concept for the first floor is to create a private, green wall-fence that wraps around the house, allowing the living spaces to remain open without the restriction of a solid wall. For the second floor, local ventilation blocks are used to enhance privacy, improve ventilation, and reduce construction costs. However, instead of positioning the blocks in the downward manner following the typical construction technique, they are placed upwards which help directing views toward the sky and blocking the interior space from external visibility. Additionally, these blocks provide shade and protect the house from excessive heat during the day. The design attempts to offer an alternative construction technique using conventional material. 

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In terms of planning, courtyards are strategically placed throughout the house. Each of the room has its own view in which it helps defining boundaries between each function. None of the bedrooms share a wall. This minimal isolation ensures privacy, and reflects the individualistic lifestyle of a nuclear family.