31 Blair Road Conservation by Ong & Ong Architects is a project that stands out with its elegance, exeptional by its traditional façade that embraces a contemporary way of living.
Ong & Ong Pte Ltd is a famous company from Singapore. Founding partners, Mr. Ong Teng Cheong and Mrs. Ong Siew May, established Ong & Ong in early 1972. Since then it is a growing company that opened 5 regional offices and earned a reputation for integrating skilled architecture, clever interior design, creative sense of environmental branding and landscape design.
The house is an innovative response to the constraints of conservation building, successfully combining the old surrounding context with the new modern interior approach creating a unique and charming living space. The five-foot way leading to the double leafed entrance, typical to shop houses in this area has been sensitively restored to its original condition. Inspiration was taken from the small detail on the existing façade that features the bamboo motif. This bamboo theme and neutral colour palette were carried throughout the project. The property features a forecourt with a dense luscious bamboo garden that gives spatial and additional green relief to the narrow plot. Monochromatic tone selection and the subtle choice of natural materials does not draw attention away from the historic aspects of the scheme, only compliments them.
Many historic elements were left untouched in the 306 m2 space, retaining the site’s historical essence and providing a quaint contrast to the unit’s modern interior. What distinguishes this conservation house from most others is the unorthodox first floor layout which places the kitchen and dining space right at the entrance. This was done in light of the fact that most parties centre around food, hence, this arrangement allows guests to casually mingle with their hosts as they cook.
QUICK FACTS:
Architects: Ong & Ong Pte Ltd Location: 31 Blair Road, Singapore
Team director: Maria Arango, Diego Molina
Designers: Ryan Manuel, Linda Qing
Project Year: 2008
Area: 306 m2
Photographs: Tim Nolan
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