Architecture firm Hyla Architects blurs the distinction between indoors and outdoors with Room Without A Roof, a two-storey home in Singapore that accommodates its outdoor area under its gable roofed form.

Looking at the home from its exterior, we see huge openings on the rooftop and on its left side, where the pool is located. The architects use a combination of elements that give this house its unique character: an exterior clad in dark gray and textured face brick, precast concrete screens that offer shade from the sun, and timber grid screens that soften the brick and concrete elements.

Apart from the common living areas, the home has two bedrooms, a guest room, a wine cellar, an entertainment room and a study that looks out over the pool, which is the highlight of this home. While majority of the pool is shaded by the roof, its end part extends slightly outside the home, essentially creating both an ‘indoor’ and ‘outdoor’ swimming area. Pockets of greenery are scattered throughout the home: by the staircase landing, the attic lounge and the poolside outdoor area.

Photography © Derek Swalwell