Attached Volumes Residence

The project addresses two primary constraints: accommodating an extensive residential program within the site and anticipating future high-rise development on the land behind the house that could compromise privacy.

K-Thengono Design Studio organizes the house as three masses arranged from front to rear: a front block, a suspended central block, and a rear block. These volumes attach to perimeter walls built along the sides of the site and to integrated steel frames, forming a structural framework that keeps the interior largely unobstructed. The central mass appears to be suspended from above, forming a floating volume. This block sits at different elevations from the front and rear volumes, introducing sectional variation, while large glass surfaces establish visual continuity across the three masses. Circulation between volumes and levels is located along the left side.

The ground floor remains largely open. The garage area is defined by planters rather than enclosed walls, followed by a sunken seating area and a swimming pool. Dining occupies the front block on the first floor, while an open terrace sits within the rear volume. The mezzanine level above contains the living room within the floating central volume. Bedrooms occupy the second floor, with the main bedroom positioned at the rear and children’s and guest rooms toward the street.

The configuration also supports passive cooling. Openings on opposing facades and the voids between volumes enable cross ventilation, drawing air laterally through the house as warmer air rises and exits through upper openings. The rear terrace further improves airflow while bringing daylight into the center of the plan. A reflecting pond positioned in front of the dining area acts as both a thermal and visual buffer, cooling incoming air and filtering views toward the street and neighboring houses.

Sun louvers and a secondary skin at the front facade reduce solar gain without restricting ventilation. Brick screens at the rear maintain privacy from potential high-rise development and allow air to pass through. Pebble stone at roof level reduces heat absorption.

Material choices also reinforce continuity between exterior and interior. The front facade is wrapped in a secondary skin of solid wood that continues inward to form the ceiling of the dining area. Perimeter walls are cast in wood-textured concrete.