Chen co-founded Freight Architects, which has designed many houses, including one that won an award. Wong is a partner at ASOLIDPLAN, a company known for creating cozy spaces and exploring textures. One of their projects was featured in a book about shophouses in Singapore.

The three colleagues have a shared history and different approaches to design, which came together in the house. The design process felt like a fun project among friends, not a formal client-architect relationship. Wong said, 'We had common topics and friends, so it was easy to work together.'

During my visit, I saw that the three colleagues had a strong trust and understanding. Teo had learned about good design from her former workplace. She wanted a house that was comfortable, organized, and would age well, not just look good.

Teo said, 'I look at details and want my house to be timeless and elegant.' She liked Chen's choice of earth-toned stone and glass for the outside, and Wong's bright white interior with timber, marble, and travertine. The house has a unique and cozy feel.

The plot of land is wider near the main gate, where Chen put the swimming pool. The pool is a focal point, and the house is shaped around it. The curved lines of the pool introduce a sense of comfort and relaxation to the design.

The house has big glass doors that face the pool, and the architecture is calm and restrained. Chen said, 'We focused on clarity, natural light, and cross-ventilation. The spaces are easy to move through, and we wanted the house to feel seamless.'

Chen put the staircase at a turn in the L-shaped house, bringing in light and views. The landings open onto a triple-volume atrium, which is a source of light, air, and landscape. The atrium draws natural daylight and cooling breezes into the interior.

The rooms and circulation spaces are arranged around the atrium, creating a dialogue between indoors and out. The house has distant city views, and the attic study opens onto a roof garden. The design maintains proximity to natural light and long views while preserving spatial privacy.

On the first storey, the living and dining spaces are brightened by glass windows and double-height ceilings. One side of the living room opens onto a terrace, and a clerestory window screens out views of the road. Low-emissivity glass and overhangs help reduce heat gain and glare.

Teo decided not to install blinds or curtains in the common areas, which is unusual in Singapore's tropical climate. She said, 'I prefer to preserve the clear view out to the pool and garden.' The morning sun provides enough light without warming the interiors excessively.

The first storey's open plan and fluid layout make the home feel spacious. The design accommodates large gatherings, which Teo and her husband enjoy hosting. 'We love bringing people together, and many of our friends are connected,' said Teo.

Teo's husband grew up in the neighborhood and has many friends living nearby. The sense of community was one reason the couple decided to put down roots in the area. They wanted to create a home that felt connected to the community.

The house has a hidden gathering space in the basement, which contains a full entertainment suite. The suite includes an eight-seat cinema and a wine cellar, with a 2.5m bar counter made from Italian Rosso Orobico marble. A skylight looks into a reflective pool, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow.

Teo said, 'The water calms me, and the pool connects the ground level and basement.' The sunken garden outside is another favorite feature, allowing her to feel close to nature. 'The filtered light and natural ventilation are calming and bring openness to this lower level,' she added.

Wong described the basement as a 'destination' for entertaining. 'The room's curved geometry informed the design of the display shelving and bar counter, so the space feels immersive and intimate,' he explained.

Timber and brass elements, along with integrated ambient lighting, reflect the care taken to make the space luxurious and welcoming. Wong said, 'The illuminated wine cellar transforms the homeowner's collection into part of the architecture, combining functional storage and a feature.'

Throughout the house, Wong made subtle adjustments and introduced texture to Chen's interior architecture. In the dining room, a patterned wall clad in timber laminate accentuates the room's height and improves acoustics during large gatherings.

In the living room, a tall wall clad in travertine panels is another example. Wong said, 'We wanted the architecture to quietly frame the treasured pieces rather than compete with them.' The panels provide a neutral backdrop for a cherished sideboard.

Wong rounded the base of the staircase and the mezzanine's Juliet balcony, allowing them to read as connected elements. Teo said, 'It's gentle on the eye when you come into the house.' Wong also adjusted the proportions of the lowest step to accommodate a sleeping resin sculpture.

The sculpture was given to the couple's daughter by her godfather, who is an architect. Wong said, 'We extended the staircase landing to create a dedicated plinth for the sculpture.' Elsewhere, he retained expanses of white wall for the homeowners to display their art.

The artworks, along with treasured furniture and objects, informed Wong's interior design. The new home becomes 'a continuation of their story rather than a completely new chapter.' The design reflects the family's lifestyle and collections.

Teo's love of vivid color and lively scenes, influenced by her Peranakan heritage, animates the staircase walls. The most striking work is Tran Nguyen Dung's painting Selling To He. Teo explained that to he is a traditional Vietnamese figurine made from colored glutinous rice dough.

Teo said, 'I saw the artist's works in a hotel and acquired four or five pieces.' Another of Tran's paintings, Relaxing Moment, hangs on a different staircase wall and depicts three Vietnamese women. 'When my husband was in Vietnam, he bought this for me. He said, 'It's you and your sisters',' said Teo.

Teo's husband favors contemporary art. Two of his favorite works adorn the living room: Alea Pinar Du Pre's Ivy and David Kracov's sculpture The Gift of Life. Both were acquired from galleries in New York.

The artworks bring color and character to the home. Wong said, 'We designed the spaces around the family's lifestyle and collections. What makes the home special is how closely it reflects their personalities and interests.'