The “Bamboo Curtain” residence is a semi-detached home situated on a street corner, occupying a triangular plot with a narrow street-facing facade. The original building was purchased by the owner many years ago and has undergone only minor renovations since then. As the house aged, it required a more substantial update. To fulfill the long-term desires and lifestyle preferences of the owners, a complete rebuild was undertaken. The owner’s brief was straightforward: create a minimalist tropical residence with an expansive social area on the first floor for family and friends to gather. The family sought a private, modern tropical home that responds to Singapore’s dense urban environment and tropical climate. Over the years, the owner has collected numerous artworks from around the globe and envisioned the new home as an ideal space to showcase this collection.
Due to modest requirements for the core family unit and bedrooms, accommodating spatial needs was manageable despite the irregular plot shape. The first floor serves as dining and entertainment space, bedrooms are located on the second floor, and the study and family rooms occupy the attic level. During a family trip to Tokyo, the owner visited the Negtsu Art Museum, designed by Kengo Kuma, and was captivated by its bamboo-clad facade.
▲ First floor plan
Struck by the beauty of bamboo’s texture and color, the owner chose it as the primary cladding material for the new house. The building’s form and function respond thoughtfully to the site, with bamboo curtains acting as a “veil” that wraps the house in a continuous fabric-like layer. This bamboo curtain element flows along the curved edges of the facade, creating a soft, organic skin beneath crisp white eaves. The curved facade aligns with the street’s corner, so as people approach, the bamboo curtain faces them, offering privacy and shielding occupants from prying eyes.
The natural bamboo hue contrasts beautifully against the white backdrop, emphasizing the bamboo curtains’ prominence. At night, the home transforms into a beacon on the street corner, softly glowing like a bamboo lantern. Light filters through the gaps between the bamboo strips from within, creating an engaging play of light and shadow. The closely spaced bamboo slats ensure privacy both day and night. During the day, the curtains can be closed to filter sunlight or opened to expand views. At night, they remain closed to preserve intimacy.
To adapt effectively to the tropical climate, the facade features a double-layered structure. The outer layer consists of movable vertical bamboo curtains that provide privacy and shade from direct sunlight. Behind these is an inner layer of aluminum-framed glass windows, which enable natural ventilation in milder weather and can be sealed for air conditioning during Singapore’s hot and humid periods. This design offers flexible natural ventilation without compromising privacy, fulfilling the homeowners’ vision of a modern tropical home.
The bamboo curtains serve as a breathable facade and an effective privacy screen. Locally sourced and sustainable, bamboo is an environmentally friendly material known for its lightweight yet strong characteristics, making installation, replacement, and maintenance simple. From an ecological standpoint, bamboo’s rapid growth rate results in a low carbon footprint. This design aligns with the owner’s environmental concerns by promoting passive cooling and reducing dependency on energy-intensive air conditioning.
The manually operated bamboo curtains and windows on the entire second floor facilitate natural ventilation while framing picturesque external views. The tropical climate response extends to the first and attic floors, where large overhangs shield the house from direct sunlight, creating deep shaded areas that help maintain a cool interior temperature throughout the day.
Inside, the furniture has been kept minimal to preserve clear sightlines and maintain the tranquility and functionality of each space. The extensive art collection is displayed under soft natural light, inviting quiet appreciation. This peaceful ambiance is also the first impression guests experience upon entering the bamboo curtain home.
Project Drawings
▲ Second floor plan
▲ Attic floor plan
Project Information
Project Type: Independent Residential Building
Location: Singapore
Architectural Design: Wallflower Architecture + Design
Area: 680.0 m²
Year Completed: 2019
Photography: Marc Tey Photography
Manufacturers: Big Ass Fans, Caesarstone, Flos, Gessi, OLIVARI, AutoDesk, Claybrooks, Trimble, Arkos
Design Team: Robin Tan, Sean Zheng, Yong Mien Huei, Tan Yen Lin, Elvan Ong
Engineer: GCE Consulting Engineers
Landscape Design: Nyee Phoe Flower Garden Pte Ltd
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