Home tour: How the Colonnade House in Singapore took inspiration from black-and-white bungalows

The verandahs, bamboo blinds, louvred windows and concrete ventilation blocks on the façade are both aesthetic and functional, adding texture while protecting the house from the elements. These devices are not complicated but contribute greatly to the sense of comfort in the home. 

“The use of permeable screens of concrete ventilation blocks and bamboo blinds, as well as the verandah, act as soft barriers that negotiate view, heat and light. This allows the internal space to be fully opened for natural ventilation without sacrificing the family’s privacy,” Cheng pointed out. Fans are sufficient most of the time to aid with airflow.