African Colonial Chic

Residential House with a Fusion of Cultures

The inspiration behind this design came from the owners' love of wildlife photography and the original architectural elements of an old colonial house. By embracing double-leaf French doors and using them as a thematic feature, the design team was able to correct the flaws of the sloping old house. The repetition of these full-height doors creates the illusion of height and generates a strong architectural language both inside and out.

What sets this design apart is its ability to weave together the intangible aspects of styles, culture, and hobbies into the physical space. The fusion of modern South African culture and wildlife with the colonial architecture creates an alchemy of style and character that reflects modern sensibility while staying true to the owners' preferences.

The realization of this design involved the strategic use of materials and textures. Full-height French doors were repeated throughout the space to enhance the overall character and height. The old brickwork was retained in the main living and dining area to add texture to the white walls. Geometric or patterned tiles were used in the kitchen, foyer, and powder bathroom to demarcate new spaces and inject a burst of fun into the neutral floor palette. Rattan and whitewashed wood stain carpentry were carefully woven into various furniture pieces, creating a consistent cultural and spatial narrative.

Despite the technical challenges posed by the irregularities of the original house, the design team successfully corrected the visual irregularities and created a visually stunning and harmonious space. The house, which sits atop a hill in Siglap, Singapore, underwent a five-month construction process starting in October 2018.

This African Colonial Chic design was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in 2020 for its outstanding creativity and ingenious fusion of styles. By incorporating the best practices in art, science, design, and technology, this design contributes to quality of life improvements and makes the world a better place.