US Department of State
US Embassy Residence
Singapore
10,000 SF
Nestled in a hillside, the Residence serves as both diplomatic venue and family home with the upper level designated for the family, the lower for ceremonial events. Its typology draws on the traditions of Singapore’s multifaceted culture and its period of English colonization. Its architectural language responds to the climate and construction tectonics of the region. Long spans and high ceilings in ceremonial spaces require monumental columns on the ground floor. Short spans and rain-protecting overhangs characterize the upper floor. Terraces exist on both levels to veil the interior while extending them into the landscape. The choreography of diplomatic receptions structures the plan. Guests enter through a landscaped courtyard, under a timber porte cochere. They are greeted in a circular reception room that opens into the dining room, which overlooks the terrace and lawn. The vertical organization of the building culminates in a delicate balance of private versus public space.