Shelford Road Apartments Singapore, Southeast Asian Residential Building, Design

Shelford Road Apartments

Singapore Residential Building Development – design by Forum Architects

1 Sep 2011

Shelford Road Apartments Singapore

Architect: Forum Architects

Photographs: Albert Lim

Shelford Road Apartment Building

Responding to the Topography
The site is situated in a prime residential area on the fringe of the city. The site dips suddenly to a flat area four storeys below the road.

The nature of the site whilst presenting access and construction difficulties, creates a unique opportunity for an exclusive retreat nestled away from the city, barely five minutes away.

photographs : Albert Lim

Tropical Climate
Oriented North-South to minimize solar heat gain in the tropical climate, two rectangular blocks, housing fifteen residential units and four penthouses enclose a sunken private courtyard with a 21.5-metre swimming pool.

Seclusion and Privacy
An urban screened wall facing the road belies the secluded, private and cosy feel of the residential grounds. The two blocks are connected via a 15.7 metre slender bridge, yet another threshold to the guarded privacy of the residents.

Nestled Community
Residents and visitors ‘walk on water’ through the spacious lobby to enter their units. The movement of water is projected unto the ceiling as natural light is reflected off the reflective pool’s surface, creating a subtle montage of overlapping lights and shadows.

photographs : Albert Lim

Residents who drive access the basement carpark five storeys below the road via a ramp, lit by skylights under a reflective pool, surrounded by a bamboo screen on the outside of the ramp.

Full height glass facades, carefully oriented north and south away from the direct sun, adorn the living spaces, bringing natural light and affording unimpeded views. The glass doors slide open to create a 3.6m wide clear opening to allow the units the be naturally cross ventilated transforming the living and dining room into a semi-outdoor space, especially for units at the level of the swimming pool. The penthouse units have rooftop Jacuzzis and pools to take advantage of the green setting.

Screens
Specially designed triangular screens are provided at the master baths as well as the west facing facades. The triangular profile of each screen member creates multiple colours as a result of light and shadow, whilst allowing the degree of privacy to be varied according to how the members are rotated.

photographs : Albert Lim