A unique project on the edge of the MacRitchie Reservoir in Singapore. The Mirror Lake Home, as it is called, stands on a 160 x 30 meter flat site that is directly connected to the lake, surrounded by the lush greenery of the national park.

The brief for the project was to create a home that would offer a lounge and an office space for storing books, photos, and fishing gear. In addition, the dining room, kitchen, and terrace were to be visually connected yet separate, occupying the same space but retaining their individual identities. The upper floor was designed with the bedrooms situated at the far ends of the volumes, with a wide corridor connecting them. This gallery space extends outwards, taking advantage of the natural open space and creating a secondary entrance.

In the design of this Home, the main objective was to create a structure that would blend harmoniously with its natural surroundings. The exterior of the house, which is made of steel and pine, has been treated with a black sealer commonly used in rural buildings in Singapore to protect them from the constant rain. Over time, the facade will change color and the house will become established, gradually blending in with the surrounding landscape.

The choice of materials was crucial in achieving the desired effect. The facades of the house are made of treated pine, while the interior facings are of untreated mañío and ulmu wood. The use of these materials not only contributes to the contextual integrity of the house but also ensures that the structure remains sustainable and environmentally friendly.

The house is organized in two parallel volumes in a woodland clearing, with each element oriented towards its optimum rapport with the landscape. The upper part of the house faces towards a wood of myrtle trees and indigenous bushes, while the front looks out over the view between the tops of the trees and the lake. The sides of the house are hermetic, impermeable planes that are occasionally cut back to allow for the entrance of light.

The Mirror Lake Home is a perfect example of how we can create structures that not only enhance their surroundings but also maintain the natural beauty of the environment. A perfect example of sustainable and contextual design, a structure that is in perfect harmony with its surroundings and promises to stand the test of time.