Chester Goh's "Rachel House": A Harmonious Blend of Architecture and Nature

Winner of the Prestigious Silver A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2021

Designed with the intent to create a space that would foster family bonding, the Rachel House is a modern architectural marvel that stands out with its geometric blocks of different scales working together seamlessly on the facade. These staggered balcony blocks house the main bedrooms, purposefully designed to overlook the central courtyard garden. The cantilevered balcony structure simultaneously acts as a sun-shading overhang for the ground floor terraces, demonstrating Goh's thoughtful design approach.

The unique properties of the Rachel House lie in its design that ensures an open environment for the family to interact and enjoy the central water courtyard on the ground level while maintaining their privacy on the upper floor bedrooms. The clean and modern facade is derived from juxtaposing bedroom cubes where one can enjoy framed views out into the lush oriental-themed landscape garden. The ground floor spaces open into the tranquility of the courtyard and the sound of flowing water, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere.

The realization of the Rachel House design was inspired by nature, with an earthy yet subtle color palette proposed. The combination of earth-colored wood with natural grey granite creates a unique rhythm throughout the surface of the facade. Large floor to ceiling windows assist tremendously with the ventilation of the spaces according to the weather conditions of the location, with ample overhang in necessary places and even vertical walls on the facade for shielding against weather and sunlight.

The design project, which started in 2016 and was completed in January 2020, aimed to strike an intricate balance between privacy and social interaction. The building is designed with multiple perspectives to enjoy the landscape of the courtyard. One of the main features includes the analysis of the technique Enframed Scenery in the Chinese Gardens, where one can enjoy multiple scenic framed perspectives of the courtyard. All the species of trees chosen are as per the Chinese seasonal trees, ensuring that the scenery doesn’t remain stagnant all year long but reflects the four major seasons as they occur.

The challenge in designing the Rachel House was to create a seamless blend between architecture, interior, and nature. The design essence of the villa had to represent the client's admiration for nature and sustainability. Some of the rocks that were originally part of the site also are seen in the courtyard, making the landscaping more organic and natural. The courtyard of this project is derived from techniques used extensively in southern China, that features an aura of serenity and tranquillity in the courtyard space.

In conclusion, Chester Goh's Rachel House is a unique architectural masterpiece that has been recognized with the prestigious Silver A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2021. This recognition is a testament to Goh's innovative design approach and his ability to seamlessly blend modern architecture with natural elements, creating a space that fosters family bonding and social interaction.