There are many homes in Singapore that fight to be the most unique, standing out from the suburban sprawl. But this homeowner chose to blend into the surroundings instead, using the lush greenery of the Botanic Gardens to help camouflage his Good Class Bungalow in Bukit Timah.
Designed by Wallflower Architects, this home, dubbed the Touching Eden House, is a 14,800sqft sanctuary that gracefully blends intricate architectural elements with a tapestry of greenery. Here’s a peek inside this GCB that perfectly encapsulates Singapore’s vision of a “Garden City”.
An exterior camouflaged by the same plants from the Botanic Gardens
Image credit: Finbarr Fallon/Wallflower Architects
Two of the client’s requests were privacy and an abundance of greenery, which was not hard to do considering the home’s location. But Wallflower Architects did not simply put up some ferns and walls and called it a day. They called on the expertise of landscape architects Salad Dressing to drape the home in flora and fauna that is native to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This helped the home blend into its surroundings naturally and effortlessly.
Image credit: Finbarr Fallon/Wallflower Architects
Supporting the vines and trees is a screen made from real Accoya wood that wraps around the upper floors. According to Robin Tan, the principal architect at Wallflower Architects, the client specifically requested real wood even though aluminium screens are more common and could be more durable.
The screen patterns were also repeated throughout the interior.
Image credit: Finbarr Fallon/Wallflower Architects
The screens might look ordinary at first glance, but they’re comprised of the letters L and I tilted at different angles to give them a more dynamic look. The angled screens also cast interesting shadows into the interior whenever the sun is up. The same pattern was also repeated within the interior of the GCB like the room dividers and screens.
An interior filled with natural materials like travertine & granite
Image credit: Finbarr Fallon/Wallflower Architects
One of the things about GCBs is the sheer size that each room has, and that includes the bathrooms. The master bathroom of this GCB is one of the most understated yet grand spaces we’ve seen with the large-format tiles and plenty of sunlight drenching the room in a golden sheen.
Dominating the centre of the room is an unusually large standing shower that could easily fit everyone who lives in the house, although that’d be an unlikely scenario. There’s also a striking dark bronze bathtub that serves as a stunning focal point of the bathroom. Together, these features take spa days to a whole new level that we plebians could only dream of.
Image credit: Finbarr Fallon/Wallflower Architects
The rest of the home is also dominated by earthy materials like travertine, granite, and the aforementioned accoya wood.
A pool & home gym straight out of a resort
Image credit: Finbarr Fallon/Wallflower Architects
With all the space available and all the money to spare, it’s only fitting that the homeowners had a swimming pool and a home gym installed in this sprawling GCB. And if we didn’t know any better, the pool looks like it belongs in an atas resort in Ubud.
Image credit: Finbarr Fallon/Wallflower Architects
At the far end of the pool is a shaded pavilion that has the same Accoya wood design and a swing for those lazy, languid weekend hangs.
Image credit: Finbarr Fallon/Wallflower Architects
The home gym is perched on the top floor of this GCB and has a view that will be the envy of any fitness enthusiast. The panoramic windows are complemented by the full-length mirror, enhancing and enlarging the visual size of the space. Rich wooden floors and ceilings only add to the warmth and elegance of the gym and provide a sleek contrast to the matte black equipment.
Touching Eden House by Wallflower Architects
Image credit: Finbarr Fallon/Wallflower Architects
In the heart of Bukit Timah, this lush Good Class Bungalow stands as a testament to how urban luxury and a reverence for nature can come together seamlessly. From the ingenious facade to the interiors that celebrate natural materials, every detail chosen by Wallflower Architects is a deliberate choice that also showcases the client’s vision for their home.
Take a look at other cool homes:
- This $137.2M GCB near Botanic Gardens looks like a mini National Gallery
- HAO Mart CEO has a GCB that’s shaped like an ‘8’ for prosperity
- Sheng Siong boss has a $50M GCB with ultra-lavish pools, dining rooms & theatre
Cover image credit: Finbarr Fallon/Wallflower Architects
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