formwerkz architects: armadillo house


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‘armadillo house’ by formwerkz architects, the republic of singapore image © jeremy san all images courtesy of formwerkz architects


singapore-based formwerkz architects have recently completed the ‘armadillo house’ to respond to two major environmental factors on its particular corner site: the noise pollution from the


adjacent highway and the hard western sun beating down along the broad side of the dwelling. the solution is, as the name implies, four stepped bent plates that quite literally block out the


external elements and protects the intimate interior while allowing full height glazing to open the space and still maintain privacy within its vertical typology. below the outer shell, a


sunken garden provides a vegetative habitat for the primary living space in the naturally shaded basement. the overhang of the upper floors and overlapping of the shielding components admit


indirect light to illuminate the common functions while controlling solar gain. mechanical fans in the attic create a stack effect, pulling cool air from the bottom of the residence to the


private bedrooms above.   


‘the armadillo house’ has been shortlisted in the ‘house’ category of the 2012 world architecture festival. see the complete list of this year’s nominated projects here.


(left) overlapping exterior plates shade glazing (right) ‘exposed’ entrance to the house images © jeremy san


central staircase connects and ventilates the interior spaces