Nestled on a sloping corner plot in Bishan, Singapore, Jalan Insaf Private Residence reimagines the traditional pitched roof through a contemporary architectural lens. Designed as a single-family home, the house responds to its dual-frontage condition with sculpted façades that offer privacy while engaging with the streetscape. Elevated due to the terrain, the first floor sits above ground level, creating a naturally private garden and living zone.
A grand double-volume living area, lush green surroundings, and light-filled interiors define the home’s open, breathable atmosphere. Across three levels, the spatial layout balances openness with seclusion—culminating in a serene rooftop terrace that frames panoramic city views.
Location
Singapore
Completion
2020
GFA
467 sqm
Client
Private
Services
Architecture
Reframing the Roofline: Privacy, Light, and Living in Layers
Anchored on a corner lot in Jalan Insaf, this residence reimagines the traditional pitched roof through a bold, modern geometry that responds to its sloped terrain and dual-frontage exposure. Elevated by its topography, the home gains a heightened ground floor that not only creates a sense of arrival through a lushly framed entrance foyer but also provides elevated privacy for its living and garden spaces.
The clean roofline is softened by vertical fins and greenery that wrap the upper levels, functioning as both sun-shading and privacy screens. Internally, the lightwell staircase connects a sequence of dynamic spaces—from a double-volume living area that invites in daylight and views, to upper-floor bedrooms designed with pocket windows and visual interaction. The top floor is left open to panoramic skyline views, embodying a contemplative retreat in the urban fabric.
The design of the Jalan Insaf residence demonstrates how architectural form can be meaningfully shaped by site conditions, privacy needs, and modern lifestyle aspirations. By lifting and layering spaces through strategic massing, the house not only reinterprets the pitched roof typology but also creates a series of serene, light-filled environments within. The result is a quiet yet expressive home that blurs boundaries between interior and exterior, offering both retreat and connection—anchored by thoughtful circulation, filtered views, and crafted volumes.
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