Singapore, Republic of Singapore
Gwen Tan from Formwerkz Architects has designed a small bungalow for a family following traditional, local architectural norms with a ramp around the main structure that prevents heat from entering the house and allows ventilation throughout the house.
The Ramp House was short-listed for a 2021 International Architecture Award from The Chicago Athenaeum and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
A circulatory ramp that links the garden to the rooftop pool wraps the periphery of the house.
This meandering route allows one to saunter and slow down, observe nature up close when traversing between floors.
Deeply recessed and shaded from the harsh tropical sun, it has become the favorite play space for the two young girls of the house.
Their parents have traded their step masters for this vertical walk in the park.
The ramp space shields the main living spaces from the punishing heat and the monsoon.
Performing like the deep roof eaves commonly found in indigenous, tropical architecture, this allows the rooms to be well ventilated throughout the day.
The lower part of the ramp is made from a fiberglass crate that allows for light and ventilation into the basement car porch and landscape.
The higher ramps have a glass slot inserted at the edge to bring diffused daylight into the spaces below.
The color white was chosen for this house predominantly to reflect heat away more effectively.
The rest of the house is fairly monochromatic to keep the focus on the sense of space experienced around the ramp.
It is the perfect space to gaze back, to witness the unfolding of the life within.
Project: Ramp House
Architects: Formwerkz Architects
Client: Trafigura Pte Ltd.
Contractor: Fucom Construction Pte Ltd.
Photographers: Fabian Ong
