“Every site has its good and bad aspects,” says Hyla Architects and it is this premise that underpins the design philosophy of their notable project, Concrete Yin Yang House. The site is trapezoidal in shape, with its broadest face fronting a west-facing streetscape—hot, harsh, and heavily urbanised. Flanking this façade, the side and rear boundaries are bordered by tightly packed neighbours. Only the southern edge offers reprieve, opening out onto an adjoining road and a wide, open field—a rare luxury in Singapore’s built-up landscape.
Rather than fight these conditions, the architects have embraced them. The result is a home that is simultaneously defensive and embracing, solid and porous. To do this, the house is enveloped in a striking concrete shell that mirrors the irregular footprint of the site, tapering elegantly from front to back. This monolithic form is not merely aesthetic—it is strategic. On three sides, the house remains relatively sealed, shielding inhabitants from the sun’s intensity and the close proximity of neighbouring dwellings. These façades are austere, presenting a strong, grounded presence to the street and immediate surroundings.
Yet, on the southern ‘good’ side, the building undergoes a remarkable transformation. Here, the shell peels back to reveal a fully open façade, one that invites views, air, and light from the adjacent field. It’s a moment of architectural release—a breath of openness in contrast to the solidity that surrounds it.
Above this open façade, a slanted concrete screen punctuated with perforations provides both shade and intrigue. The screen filters light into the interiors while framing fragments of greenery that reach skyward through the openings—an evocative interplay of material and nature. This screen softens the home’s linear geometry and adds an element of surprise, hinting at the lushness within.
But perhaps the most poetic gesture of the design is found in the flowing curves of the terraces that counterpoint the rigid angles of the shell. Starting from the car porch roof, these curvilinear forms ripple across the structure, morphing into layered green terraces that cascade down toward the swimming pool and outdoor lounge areas. They bring a softness to the composition, a dynamic movement that recalls the undulating forms of nature.
Project & Images: Hyla Architects
Article by: Lily Wong
