Bricks form the anchor feature of this semi-detached house by Genome Architects in Bukit Timah

Piers of bricks on the side façade, two sets of staircases and generous views of the sky. These are the major highlights of a semi-detached house in Bukit Timah that was recently completed by Genome Architects. Motley as they sound, each in fact goes towards mitigating the conundrum of a long and narrow site in a densely packed neighbourhood.

Specifically, the 370sqm plot measures 46m by 7.6m, making it almost as long as an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Hemmed in on two sides by neighbours who have maximised their GFA, the house also has no views to speak of. While the obvious route would have been plenty of well-landscaped internal courtyards and planter boxes lined with evergreens, the brief dictated to shy against that due to “no green fingers”.

Those familiar with Genome’s work will know that none of this would have fazed its Founding Director, Wu Yen Yen. Fond of leading her team through phases where they test different ideas in residential projects, she took the opportunity to experiment with introducing bricks as a design feature. This led to it being christened Brick Pier Courtyard House.