Tangga House Singapore glass pool

You should have no trouble seeing the forest through the trees while standing anywhere inside or outside this stunning home. The residence is less of a house and more of an all-in-one exterior experience, flowing with green roofs, outdoor patios, expansive decks and a seamless clear-sided swimming pool (though one could wish it were deep enough to dive into from the rooftop above). Tangga House by Guz Architects is a picture-perfect representative of modern Singapore style.

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Tangga House Singapore courtyard

A central green courtyard brings life to even the innermost spaces of the dwelling, with plants overhanging from its walls above and trees sprouting up from the divided grass-or-gravel ground below. It might not be surprising but: these same designers have a history planning resorts and multi-family vacation destinations, experience which has clearly informed this single-family house.

Tangga House Singapore stairs

A series of rough-cut rectangular stone pillars serve to establish a border fence that is at once semi-transparent and secure, with slots that allow for limit views between each vertical post. For the garage doors and entry gates, sticks of bamboo fill gaps between rocks.

A second-floor terrace surrounds a cozy lofted set of lounge and bedroom spaces, likewise covered in colorful organic growth that doubles as a privacy divider and light filter.

Tangga House Singapore atrium

Semi-exterior zones are covered by spaced-out wooden slats that provide shade but offer no rain protection, while more-interior transitional areas in the plan have sealed solid-wood ceilings.

Tangga House Singapore pool view

In the basement living room area, a built-in bench provides a cushioned viewed through wall-to-wall glass of the bubbling waters of the swimming pool outside, giving even this underground space a relevant connection to the outdoors.

Tangga House Singapore exterior

“The house is a contemporary interpretation of a traditional courtyard house, laid out around a central green courtyard with a double height stair and entry area forming the focal point of the project. The L-shaped plan creates open spaces which encourage natural ventilation and offer resident’s views over the courtyard to the verandah, roof gardens and beyond. Lushly planted roof gardens surround the house and add to the effect that nature is evident in every part of the house. The large roof above the courtyard creates an indoor and outdoor space leading to the gardens and swimming pool which wraps around two sides of the house.”