Semi-detached house at Thomson View designed by RT+Q for sale at $4.48 mil

By Amy Tan

/ EdgeProp Singapore |

September 20, 2019 9:00 AM SGT

SINGAPORE (EDGEPROP) - Nestled in the quiet neighbourhood of Happy Estate at Thomson View is a two-storey semi-detached (semi-D) designed by renowned architect Rene Tan, co-founder of RT+Q Architects. The house is currently on the market for $4.48 million or $1,165 psf.

With a built-up area of 3,300 sq ft, the semi-D sits on elevated land and has five bedrooms including a master bedroom with en suite and a helper’s room, an extended backyard, and a koi pond.

The owner, who declined to be named, had purchased the house in 2006 for $1.6 million or $416 psf based on its land area of 3,842 sq ft.

“The existing house was fine but it didn’t have enough space for the owner and his growing family,” says Tan, who has known the owner since they were secondary school students in Penang, Malaysia.

The semi-D is landscaped with lush greenery for privacy (Credit: Samuel Isaac Chua/ EdgeProp Singapore)

To create more liveable space, Tan had suggested the owner tear down the original structure and build a new house. However, the owner’s children were still toddlers at that time, so he preferred to maintain most of the original structure to ensure a good proportion of outdoor space for the children to play in.

“At that time, there was really a lot of space for us. The original structure including the parquet flooring was, and still is, in very good condition and we did not want it to go to waste,” the owner shares.

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Tropical living

With this in mind, Tan set out to extend the living and dining area by removing a wall that divided the two spaces. He also re-oriented the layout of the kitchen, helper’s room and storeroom on the ground floor to create a larger kitchen and helper’s room. The kitchen opens to the backyard where the owner’s children used to play when they were younger. The backyard was also extended to accommodate a laundry area.

As the semi-D is within proximity to Bishan Park and Lower Peirce Reservoir, the house enjoys natural ventilation. Sightings of tropical birds from the nearby green lung are also common. To make the most of this, Tan hacked away a wall in the living room and put timber folding doors in its place to evoke a tropical feel.

He highlights: “The timber is an important feature of the house. It’s the same timber for the doors and windows. It is an element we see less and less these days.”

A timber patio was also installed. “This is actually my favourite space in the house because it is cool even on a sunny day and we spend a lot of time here as a family,” says the owner. The owner adds that thanks to Tan’s design, the ground floor of the house always enjoys good airflow which has eliminated the need for air-conditioning.

As the semi-D is within proximity to Bishan Park and Lower Peirce Reservoir, the house enjoys natural ventilation (Credit: Samuel Isaac Chua/ EdgeProp Singapore)

On the second floor, Tan extended the master bedroom to create a family area within the space. The adjoining room was also extended and is now used as a shared bedroom for the owner’s children.

While the semi-D is one of Tan’s early designs since setting up RT+Q in 2003, there are elements of this house that continue to represent his designs. One example is the soaring roof and ceilings in the master bedroom and adjoining bedroom. Tan had intentionally raised the ceiling and put in glass slates so that the rooms will be bathed in natural light.

Close to amenities

After living in the house for more than 12 years, the owner is selling the property as his children are now teenagers. “They need their own rooms so we are looking for a new place with more indoor space,” says the owner.

Initially, the owner had contemplated embarking on another renovation of the house. However, the first renovation in 2006 took around eight months and cost around $500,000. “We did think about renovating, but it would involve a major overhaul. And it’s a complete waste because it is a nice house and it is still in good condition, so we would rather give up this place to someone who can appreciate its design,” explains the owner.

The master bedroom was extended to create a family area within the space (Credit: Samuel Isaac Chua/ EdgeProp Singapore)

Kent Tan, managing director of Home Guru, who is marketing the property, says he has received many enquiries from interested buyers as the property is located within the 1km radius of CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School. Meanwhile, Ai Tong School is 2km away.

When it comes to connectivity, Thomson View is within walking distance to the upcoming Mayflower MRT Station on the Thomson-East Coast Line Stage 2. The station is expected to open next year. Bishan MRT Station that serves the North-South Line and Circle Line is also a short bus ride away.

With these conveniences in mind, the owner reveals that he is currently on the lookout for a larger property in the same estate or in the Upper Thomson Road and Bishan area.

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