Living well on every level

Set within the leafy Thomson Hills Estate, this house by Right Angle Studio embraces the unique opportunities presented by its split-level topography. Designed for a family of four, Hill House transforms what was once a dark and fragmented property into a light-filled residence where movement, connection and everyday rituals unfold across a sequence of shifting elevations.

The project marks a continuation of a long-standing relationship between the homeowners and the studio. Having previously collaborated on the family’s apartment, the homeowners returned to Right Angle Studio when they decided to move into a larger home better suited to their growing family. Located near the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, the property also carries personal significance, as the homeowner grew up in the area and was drawn back by a sense of familiarity and connection. 

Originally renovated in the late 1970s or 1980s, the house felt disconnected and enclosed. “The homeowners specifically sought out a house with less conventional spaces,” says Right Angle Studio co-founder Jay Liu. “The primary brief was to transform the prior dark, dissected, and dated property into a warm, light-filled, cohesive home that maximised its split-level topography for connection and play.”

Dark teak ceilings, ageing marble floors and a complex arrangement of pitched roofs and beams contributed to the original interiors that felt heavy and compartmentalised. Despite its generous footprint, the home lacked the openness and flow the family desired. What attracted them to the property, however, was its unconventional split-level configuration – a quality they wanted to celebrate rather than erase. 

In response, Right Angle Studio developed a design that works with the site’s topography rather than against it. “Hill House unfolds as a sequence of shifting elevations,” explains co-founder and design director Alex Liu. “Above, the living spaces breathe with the outdoors, grounded by warm oak and subtle olive tones that quietly mirror the foliage beyond. Beneath, the dining and culinary zones dissolve the boundary between inside and out, anchored by a central island that acts as the hearth of daily family life.”

The most transformative intervention occurs at the heart of the house. To address the darkness that once characterised the interiors, the central stairwell was reimagined as a luminous architectural spine. Existing solid walls and parapets were replaced with full-height glass panels and glass balustrades, while a new skylight was introduced above. Natural light now cascades through the centre of the home, filtering down through the levels and into a quiet airwell below. Inspired by the work of artist James Turrell, light is treated not merely as illumination but as a spatial element that shapes atmosphere throughout the day.

The living spaces are defined by a restrained palette of oak, light timber finishes and grey slate. Large window openings dissolve the boundary between indoors and outdoors, inviting natural ventilation and framing views of surrounding greenery. Olive-toned furnishings from Carl Hansen & Søn Singapore introduce subtle colour while reinforcing the home’s connection to nature. The brand’s Embrace loungers, RF1903 Sideways Sofa, CH327 dining table and CH24 Wishbone chairs lend warmth and craftsmanship to the communal spaces.

At the lower level, the kitchen and dining spaces form the social heart of the home. Anchored by a generous island, the area supports everything from weekday breakfasts to weekend baking sessions with the children. During gatherings, the spaces easily accommodate family dinners and celebrations, reflecting the homeowners’ love of entertaining. The openness of the layout allows daily life to unfold naturally, encouraging interaction between family members across levels and activities. 

Personal touches appear throughout the house. Bespoke illustrations by Ripple Root add moments of playfulness in the living area and outside the children’s playroom, while artworks created by the homeowner himself contribute another layer of meaning.

Ascending through the home, more private spaces emerge. A study and creative zones support work and personal pursuits, while the master suite occupies the uppermost level as a quiet retreat. Here, tactile timber finishes and an expanded bathroom create an atmosphere of calm, offering a restorative contrast to the livelier family spaces below. 

By embracing the home’s split-level character and treating light as a central design material, Right Angle Studio has created a residence that feels simultaneously expansive, connected and deeply personal.

Right Angle Studio
www.rightanglestudio.com.sg
www.facebook.com/studiorightangle
www.instagram.com/right.angle.studio

Photography by Studio Periphery

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