guz architects cantilevers the botanica house over nature in singapore

boasting an impressive position overlooking the UNESCO world heritage botanic gardens in singapore, guz architects has completed the design of ‘botanica’. considering the prominent site, the architects have sought not to intrude on the landscape, but instead to create an architectural intervention that seems to ‘float’ thanks to a series of cantilevers. the project also focuses on bringing nature into the home, blurring the line between indoor and outdoor space and establishing a relationship with the lush botanic gardens below.

all images courtesy of guz architects

the program of the house is split by the architects over two storeys with an additional basement. upon entering on the first floor, residents are welcomed into light-filled social spaces. this level contains functions such as kitchen, living and dining areas and is characterized by the abundance of openable glazed partitions, which allow the interior to open up into nature and afford cross-ventilation. a large pool of water and waterfall also occupies the first level, bringing a lush, tropical atmosphere to the ‘botanica’ residence.

the second storey is designed to be less open than the lower floor due to the private bedroom spaces that it contains. a total of five bedrooms can be found on this level, each with an en-suite bathroom or shower room. however, despite the quieter, more private rooms, picture-frame windows and a glazed balcony are incorporated to bring natural light into the interiors and offer views out to the surrounding landscape.

in the interiors, smooth timber has been utilized on the floors, walls and ceilings to create a warm atmosphere inside the home. complemented by the elements of water and lush vegetation that are peppered throughout the spaces, the design of the building results in a very inviting space that is connected to nature.

regarding the structure of the building, the large cantilevered planes that characterize the architecture have been formed from reinforced concrete on the lower floors, and a combination of reinforced concrete and steel on the upper floors. an aluminium roof tops the house, which functions as a support for a series of photovoltaic cells.