Category Archives: General

Private and Public Residential Spaces Bonded With Nature

Rising two stories in the air, the Mary Lake Residence in the Village of Port Sydney, Huntsville, Ontario welcomes owners with a body made out of two separate volumes connected by a glazed entrance on the first floor and almost transparent second floor staircase and corridor uniting the upstairs spaces. Surrounded by tall white pines, this creation of Toronto-based studio Altius Architecture was described by them as follows: “The roof of the living room is sheltered between the two solids and becomes an additional outdoor space with a view over the lake, a garden and a hot tub.

The home is a balance of program spaces, with the public entertaining spaces of the living room, dining room and kitchen wrapping one side of the central void and the more private and intimate spaces of the library and den situated at the other. Two stone walls shield the house from the road while a canopy reaches out to create a welcoming entry. Warm yet contemporary materials throughout create a cozy yet light atmosphere.” This 3,000 square foot home boasts a set of sustainable features like passive solar heating, radiant heating, low energy lighting and appliances, and natural ventilation and lighting coming from sliding doors and cleverly placed windows. Green roofs extend nature’s expansion around and on the residence, while the indoor/outdoor connection draws it inside, creating a strong bond between natural and man-made.

Source: Freshome

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Concerns over low-storey HDB flats

Letter from Marcus Phang

There is always talk about home buyers shunning low-storey units in Build-To-Order or Sale of Balance Flats launches. The Housing and Development Board must not, however, be too quick to accuse such buyers of being too fussy.

As an owner of a new flat, I have brought up several concerns to the HDB’s project consultants and relevant parties such as its contractors.

These are important aspects on home security, high-rise littering, dropped laundry and problems caused by strong wind and rain, which require design modifications for a better living environment and to prevent mishaps such as break-ins.

However, there has been no concrete, permanent action to rectify these concerns. If the HDB wants home buyers to take up such units at its sales launches, then it would be imperative to make a concerted effort to address such concerns first.

Source: May 11, 2012