Articles by Hana Abdel

Vision – The House of Mdm SC showcases the perfect blend of functionality, sustainability, and modern design, fully encapsulating the concept of ‘new urban kampong’. Having grown up in the 1960s, the client had reminisced about Singapore’s old kampongs where sights of attap houses amidst luxuriant foliage were commonplace. This ‘house in nature’ is also in line with Singapore’s broad vision of ‘a city in nature and taps into the house’s location near the country’s central nature reserve. In addition, with only about 10% of Singapore’s residential property being landed, the client wanted a house that exploits all the potential of landed living that cannot be achieved with condominium living. The vision for this house is to typologically recast a socially and environmentally connected mode of living while creatively fulfilling the pragmatic needs of the client’s family and guests. The final product is a house that embraces land living on four stories, creating exceptional value on a small plot of land with challenging features.

Background – Sufism is one most amazing, thought-provoking aspects of Islam. Sufism is derived from a more philosophical and social standpoint focusing on closeness to Allah (Schimmel, A., 1975). The Sufi saints were involved in the spread of Islam in Bengal through their religious and missionary zeal, exemplary character, and humanitarian activities. They even involve in regional politics as advisors to the ruler and influence them to do humanitarian work. The Uwaisi is a Tariqa (pathway) of Sufism that spiritually transmitted the vocabulary of Islamic mysticism, named after Owais al-Qarani. The project is a Dargah for the ‘Pir’ of Uwaisi Tariqa. Though the word “Pir” is a Persian word, it was locally adapted due to the role of the Persian saints in spreading Islam in this region. Existing graves were originally buried inside the residence of the “Pir”. Later on, the ancestors of the ‘Pir’ decided to build a unique (mausoleum) structure over the graves regarding Pir’s memory and contributions.

A rising number of studies suggest that well-considered lighting affects and boosts consumer behavior. Add to that the new Instagramability and promotional requirements, and the role of lighting becomes pivotal to achieving a filtered and commercially appealing visual. The latter has encouraged the implementation of new technology lighting panels and fixtures that offer a range of colors and dimmability, modifying the mood and even the overall color palette of a space. The results are some fun, sometimes almost cartoonish, settings that suggest the best backdrops and inviting venues.

A young family based on the northern beaches of Sydney bought an existing house located high in the trees at the back of a steep block. The existing house was constrained by high-level access and an unsatisfactory outdoor space. We were enlisted to review the possibilities and options.

Raga Svara, as in the words of its founders, focuses on the therapeutic, aesthetic, philosophical, and ecological well-being of oneself in conjunction with the surroundings. Raga’s logo “Pause” indicates all those who enter this green haven consciously pause in time, reflect, listen to the body in synergy with nature, and get rejuvenated in an educational way. With such a clear vision for Raga, the onus on the architects was to make minimal interventions in the existing landscape and have nature take precedence.

The project involved combining two penthouse apartments, their respective car parking, rooftops, and exterior spaces to create a singular inter-generational family home with an abundance of flexible living and working spaces, a basement rehabilitation spa, and two rooftop sukkah pavilions.