Nathaniel and Adelene Chua, the developers of Artisann Villas, with the model of their project (Photo: Samuel Isaac Chua/EdgeProp Singapore)
SINGAPORE (EDGEPROP) - Husband and wife Nathaniel and Adelene Chua had been looking for a suitable site for a pilot project under their new flagship Artisann Villas for about a year when they chanced upon an old detached house located near a cul-de-sac on Jalan Dermawan at Hillview Garden Estate. “I really like the terrain of the site; the fact that it’s elevated and surrounded by greenery,” says Adelene. “When we look at a piece of land, sometimes it’s about how it makes you feel and whether you really like it.”
Read also: Detached house at Jalan Dermawan up for sale at $10.8 mil
Nathaniel in turn was captivated by the view from the second floor of the former bungalow. “We could see Bukit Timah Hill, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Bukit Batok Nature Reserve,” he says.
They made an offer for the property which sat on a 9,610 sq ft, freehold site at 78 Jalan Dermawan and paid $8.53 million ($888 psf) for the site in May 2019, according to a caveat lodged with URA Realis.
Construction is underway at 78 Jalan Dermawan and is scheduled for completion sometime in the middle of 2022 (Photo: Samuel Isaac Chua/EdgeProp Singapore)
Under development now is a collection of three houses, Artisann Villas, comprising a pair of semi-detached houses and a detached house. “We wanted to create a vacation home concept,” says Nathaniel.
Bringing their concept to reality is Formwerkz Architects, headed by Alan Tay, Gwen Tan and Seetoh Kum Loon. The project by Formwerkz that most impressed the Chuas and led to their decision to appoint them as the design architect for Artisann Villas was the Cloister House, a bungalow sitting on a 43,000 sq ft site with its origami-style ceiling.
The Cloister House won the Design of the Year Award for its impactful and innovative design in last year’s President’s Design Awards.
Artist’s impression of Artisann Villas, comprising a detached house and pair of semi-detached houses at Jalan Dermawan (Photo: Artisann Villas)
“Family has always been the inspiration behind our design for Artisann Villas,” says Adelene. “Luxury of space is intrinsic to the quality of life, especially for landed property.” The houses are therefore designed with generous communal areas where family members can gather, and pockets of spaces which they can retreat to if they want privacy, she adds. This has led to “a linearity of space that flows seamlessly, from the living to dining area and kitchen island” within each house, says Adelene.
Further adding to the sense of luxury of space is the double volume ceiling of the interiors. Full-height glass doors and windows offer views of the surrounding greenery as well as bring natural light into the house. Another attraction of that corner of Jalan Dermawan is its low density with only detached and semi-detached houses, Adelene points out. With their double pitched roof and lofty perch, Artisann Villas are designed “as a hidden gem in the lush Hillview enclave”, she adds.
Given the site’s elevation, the basement level of the houses is at street level, says Paul Teo, senior associate district director of PropNex Realty, the exclusive marketing agent for Artisann Villas. Each house comes with four levels: a basement, first and second level and an attic. The five-bedroom detached house bearing the address of 78B Jalan Dermawan, sits on a land area of 5,094 sq ft and has a built-up area of 7,638 sq ft. Adding to the exclusivity is the long driveway leading up to the house. The private driveway is spacious ebough to park seven cars, adds Teo.
Artist’s impression of the interior living space with double volume ceiling (Photo: Artisann Villas)
The semi-detached houses are designed as a mirror image of each other. Each house has a built-up area of 4,531 sq ft and comes with four bedrooms. The semi-detached house on the left at 78A Jalan Dermawan sits on a land area of 2,154 sq ft, while the one on the right at 78 Jalan Dermawan, occupies a land area of 2,232 sq ft. Each driveway can accommodate three cars, estimates Teo.
Besides a landscaped garden, each house comes with a lap pool. Luxury fittings include Italian-made, Cubo designer kitchen systems and German branded kitchen appliances such as Bosch and Gaggenau.
“This site appeals to those who enjoy being close to nature,” adds Teo. “In addition to its location in a quiet, hilly residential enclave, it’s also close to Bukit Batok Town Park and the picturesque Little Guilin Lake as well as Bukit Batok and Bukit Timah Nature Reserves.”
View of Bukit Timah Hill and Nature Reserve from Jalan Dermawan (Photo: PropNex)
Besides nature reserves, nearby amenities include the Bukit Gombak MRT station on the North-South Lin as well as the Hillview MRT station and upcoming Hume MRT station on the Downtown Line. Dining and retail amenities are located at Rail Mall and at HillV2, while supermarkets include Hillview Market Place, Cold Storage, Fairprice Finest, Giant and Sheng Siong within a short driving distance.
Primary schools in the vicinity include CHIJ Our Lady Queen of Peace, Lianhua Primary School and St Anthony’s Primary School. International schools in the area include Hillside World Academy, St Francis Methodist School and German European School.
The houses at Artisann Villas have attracted both HDB and condominium upgraders in the western region, as well as those who are currently residing in the Bukit Timah and Upper Bukit Timah area, notes Teo. Besides upgraders, Artisann Villas are also a draw to those who are looking at downsizing from bigger properties. Multi-generational families or siblings who want to live near each other may also find the Artisann Villas appealing, Teo adds. (Find HDB flats for rent or sale with our Singapore HDB directory)
Paul Teo: This site appeals to those who enjoy being close to nature (Photo: Samuel Isaac Chua/EdgeProp Singapore)
The original completion date was supposed to be this year, but was delayed by disruption to the construction sector as a result of the Covid pandemic, says Nathaniel. Construction costs have also escalated by about 15% to 20%, he estimates. The collection of houses at Artisann Villas is scheduled for completion by 2Q2022.
The Chuas have reserved the semi-detached house at 78A Jalan Dermawan for themselves. Hence, only the detached house and the remaining semi-detached house are available for sale.
The indicative price of the detached house at 78B Jalan Dermawan is from $1,699 psf, which translates to upwards of $8.65 million, according to PropNex’s Teo. Meanwhile, the semi-detached house at 78 Jalan Dermawan will be priced “above $5 million”, he adds.
78 Jalan Dermawan is located near the Bukit Batok Town Park and Little Guilin Lake as well as Bukit Batok Nature Reserve (Source: EdgeProp Inspector)
Artisann Villas isn’t the first development project by the Chuas. Before becoming a developer, Adelene had been the owner of an interior design and architectural firm. Meanwhile, Nathaniel had worked with an architectural design firm, an interior design firm and construction company. Previous developments where the Chuas had collaborated with other partners include West Shore Residences, an eight-unit townhouse development completed in 2014; and a boutique, 20-unit apartment project D’Hillside Loft at Pasir Panjang Hill that was completed in 2005.
The duo have also formed Artisann Global Development in 2016 as an investment firm, while Artisann Villas is positioned as a boutique property developer. “We are branding ourselves as a developer of boutique, artisanal houses,” says Adelene. “We want to create collections of houses with a personal touch, putting a premium on design without compromising on functionality and space.”
Check out the latest listings near Hillview Garden Estate, West Shore Residences, Bukit Gombak MRT station, Hillview MRT station, CHIJ Our Lady Queen of Peace, Lianhua Primary School, St Anthony’s Primary School, Hillside World Academy, St Francis Methodist School, German European School