Diamond House by Formwerkz Architects
The front facade of this faceted house in Singapore by Formwerkz Architects is interrupted by a shard of tinted glazing.
![Diamond House by Formwerkz Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/08/dezeen_In-House-by-David-Steiner-31.jpg)
Formwerkz Architects were asked to create a family home that retained the owners' privacy so the building's public-facing sides are predominantly clad in wood but feature carefully placed apertures.
![Diamond House by Formwerkz Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/08/dezeen_In-House-by-David-Steiner-41.jpg)
During the day the tinted glass reflects its surroundings, but at night a warm glow emanates from inside and permits glimpses of the interior.
![Diamond House by Formwerkz Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/08/dezeen_In-House-by-David-Steiner-51.jpg)
The architects explain that the angular form was chosen to make the most of the small site and increase the space available for the garden: "The sloping walls at the corners allow for a smaller footprint while expanding the spatial volume at upper levels."
![Diamond House by Formwerkz Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/08/dezeen_In-House-by-David-Steiner-61.jpg)
A glazed entranceway dissects the building and separates the main living and dining spaces on either side.
![Diamond House by Formwerkz Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/08/dezeen_In-House-by-David-Steiner-71.jpg)
At the rear, the house opens up as large windows and terraces look out onto a sunken garden and a lap pool surrounded by trees.
![Diamond House by Formwerkz Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/08/dezeen_In-House-by-David-Steiner-81.jpg)
A twisting staircase connecting the three floors has an oak-clad handrail on one side to restrict views from the street, while glass is used for the side looking onto the interior.
![Diamond House by Formwerkz Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/08/dezeen_In-House-by-David-Steiner-91.jpg)
Previous projects by Formwerkz Architects include a house with a courtyard shielded by a perforated concrete wall and another with an elevated garden that shelters two bedrooms underneath.
![Diamond House by Formwerkz Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/08/dezeen_In-House-by-David-Steiner-111.jpg)
Other faceted homes we've published recently include a house in Italy with sections that jut out to fit its sloping site and a pair of tapered additions to a nineteenth century house in London.
![Diamond House by Formwerkz Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/08/dezeen_In-House-by-David-Steiner-121.jpg)
See more Formwerkz Architects »
See more Singapore »
The architects sent us the following project description:
Diamond House
The house along Cove Drive in Sentosa sits on a slightly tapered site that faced a man-made lake. Built for a small family that greatly cherish their privacy, the house turns it back on the street and the sides where the neighbours are in close proximity.
![Diamond House by Formwerkz Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/08/dezeen_In-House-by-David-Steiner-131.jpg)
Like a monolith resting over the gardens, the single, faceted volume house the main spaces with their primary view to the waterway.
![Diamond House by Formwerkz Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/08/dezeen_In-House-by-David-Steiner-141.jpg)
The main entrance brings one into the centre of the house with the living and dining space on the sides.
![Diamond House by Formwerkz Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/08/dezeen_In-House-by-David-Steiner-151.jpg)
The upper floors are split in the middle into two volumes that house the daughter and the parent’s bedrooms.
![Diamond House by Formwerkz Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/08/dezeen_Diamond-House-by-Formwerkz-Architects_d1.gif)
The basement accommodate the guest room, entertainment, services and garage, lit and ventilated largely by the sunken courtyards.
![Diamond House by Formwerkz Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/08/dezeen_Diamond-House-by-Formwerkz-Architects_d2.gif)
The massing on grade is kept deliberately small to create more garden spaces within the tight site.
![Diamond House by Formwerkz Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/08/dezeen_Diamond-House-by-Formwerkz-Architects_d3.gif)
The geometry is derived from negotiating with the planning parameters imposed on the neighbourhood and the desire to simplify the building form.
![Diamond House by Formwerkz Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/08/dezeen_Diamond-House-by-Formwerkz-Architects_d4.gif)
The front and side facades are pared down with openings strategically position to allow optimal daylighting with minimum compromise in privacy.
![Diamond House by Formwerkz Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/08/dezeen_Diamond-House-by-Formwerkz-Architects_d5.gif)
The sloping walls at the corners allow for a smaller footprint while expanding the spatial volume at upper levels.
![Diamond House by Formwerkz Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/08/dezeen_Diamond-House-by-Formwerkz-Architects_d6.gif)
Like its simple form, few architectural materials were used. The facades are entirely wrapped in iron wood. The interior adopts a lighter palette of oak and travertine.
![Diamond House by Formwerkz Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/08/dezeen_Diamond-House-by-Formwerkz-Architects_d7.gif)
At nightfall, fragments of the internal spaces are seen on the facade.
![Diamond House by Formwerkz Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/08/dezeen_Diamond-House-by-Formwerkz-Architects_d8.gif)
The muted, impenetrable volume gradually gives way to the volumes of internal light, revealing the intricacy within.
![Diamond House by Formwerkz Architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/08/dezeen_Diamond-House-by-Formwerkz-Architects_d9.gif)
Site Area - 6000 Sqft
Gross Floor Area - 5000 sqft
Completion - Jan 2012
Architect - Formwerkz Architects
Team - Alan Tay , Foo Yuet Yee, Cai Xun
Structure - Portwood & Associates
M&E - PCA
Builder - Sinwah-Apac Construction Pte Ltd