AM House, Small House with Spacious Feeling and Ample Natural Light
The house for a young family of three consists of a service area on the first floor, a living space on the second floor, and private area on the third floor. Considering Feng Shui practice, the entrance door was deliberately positioned on the house's left side and the stairs on the right side. As a result, two adjacent foyers were created—one in front as a semi-outdoor space connecting to the services area and the other joining the stairs as a threshold to the house's main space on the floor above. The stair shaft connects all of the levels vertically. A skylight above provides a feeling of spaciousness and a glimpse of the clouds and sky, the natural light becoming an inviting guide as one ascends the steps.
The living area on the second floor is separated by a concealed door matching the built-in furniture/cabinets to separate it from the circulation/stair area. This setting keeps the cooling efficient by closing off the living space and reducing the area needing to be cooled. Using different colours and materials between the stair shaft and living area creates a contrast between the spaces and leads to a different experience when entering the volume. A large horizontal window connects the living space to the inner courtyard, allowing the family/occupants to enjoy the natural daylight.
The powder room and storage room are located in the front of the building to prevent solar heat gain from the west elevation from getting into the living area. In addition, a perforated metal screen on the façade keeps the second-floor private without adding bulk to the house/design.
The walk up to the third floor leads to a space with large openings facing the inner courtyard on the second floor below. Skylight openings were inserted at the end corners of the rooms—like the master bathroom—a little surprise at the journey's end.