da silva house

The house is for a family with many books, and this design is inspired by the classic library spaces with an atrium encircled by bookshelves. This house is built around a central light-filled atrium space with open bookshelves wrapping it, allowing the presence of books to create the atmosphere of the home. Being an intermediate terrace house, this central four storey high atrium space brings light and air into the central parts of the home, which would otherwise be devoid of light and ventilation. The central atrium space becomes a architectural composition of swooping timber bookshelves, sculptural staircases and arched entry portals. This central atrium is conceived as the most central space of the home, and the family dining hall is right at the center of this atrium. On the second floor, a grandparent’s family living area overlooks this space, beyond which is the grandparents private bedroom. At the top of the atrium, at the attic lies a mahjong and activity area where there are arched portals overlooking the atrium space. The bedroom spaces are located at the ends furthest away from the central atrium to allow as much privacy as possible for the occupants.

We explored the use of arches on the facades as well. By combining the curves of the elevation with curves on plan, the arches defy traditional arch forms by also curving in three dimensional space, creating the effect of the arch being bent. The car porch has a vaulted ceiling the culminates on an arched entry portal. The combination of white bent planes and glass adds a touch of modernity to the project.