Villa Alba
Sentosa Cove, SingaporeLuxurious Single Residence
Villas Alba was born out of a single line on a piece of paper sitting by the coffee table, looking out to the harbour of yacht club. Alba which means sunrise in Italian is inspired by the beauty of the sun rising on the edge of the horizon.
Standing in front of an open sea, the semi-circular form of the twin villas resonates a sunrise which seemed apt in its location. The basic form image of the house, which was then reinforced by the red terracotta roof and warm travertine cladding becomes an iconic building, and works perfectly for a seaside development.
The two villas stand next to each other on the island of Sentosa, mirroring the images of one another with just minor variations: not identical twins, but close siblings. Like the sunrise, Villas Alba signal a start, having been designed at a time when few houses in Sentosa Cove showcased excellent architectural design.
Nestled in Sentosa — Malay for “peace and tranquility” — off the coast of Singapore, Sentosa Cove is the most exclusive marina residential community offering tropical resort living.
A mere fifteen-minute drive from the hustle and bustle of mainland Singapore, it blends ultramodern design with the soothing harmonies of the water. The frangipani-lined residential enclave has about 2,000 oceanfront villas, waterway bungalows, hillside mansions and upscale condominiums designed by award-winning architects who have set a new standard in residential architecture in Singapore.
When the first land parcels were unveiled in 2003, it heralded a new era of luxury living, where residents could live on the waterfront, the waves lapping just a few metres away. The premium residential district of Sentosa Cove is the centrepiece of a billion-dollar masterplan, whose allure is only increased by the fact that it is the only place in Singapore where foreigners can buy a landed house — the reason why this cohort comprises 60% of all Sentosa Cove’s property buyers.
Composed of natural materials, Villa Alba embodies an island character that makes it stand out among other pitched-roof houses in the vicinity.
Fully furnished with pieces from brands like Minotti, Poltrona Frau, Kartell, B&B Italia, Zanotta, and sculptures by Massimo Mercurio.
Set in Chinese-dominated Singapore, it observes feng shui, the ancient philosophy associated with good fortune. The design was approved by a feng shui master.
Fitted with a pool, jacuzzi, sun deck, roof lounge and terrace, living and family lounges, home theatre, wet and dry kitchens, dining, bedrooms with ensuites, home lift and a yard.
Features energy-efficient large glass windows and skylight, LED lights, a terracotta roof, low-emissivity glazing, LED lights and luminiscent mosaic tiles that absorb solar light and give off a gentle glow at night.
Property is guarded by a system of security cameras which goes way beyond the minimum requirement by code.
SECTION DRAWING OF VILLA ALBA SHOWS THE BUILDING’S OVERALL UNIQUE IDEA. Total GFA: 514.34 sqm, Site Area: 623.10 sqm
Alba was born out of a single line on a piece of paper sitting by the coffee table looking out to the harbor of a yacht club. The architects have taken advantage of the regulations which allow a carport in front of the setback line, thus preserving the design intent while also complying with the guidelines.
FLOOR PLAN OF THE GROUND LEVEL. Floor Area: 157.24 sqm
Paradoxically, the perfect enactment of this rule if one decides to deviate from the traditional canons of pitch roof would be to just draw a semicircle on the floor line, which pitches from one end to the other, the sloping angle defined by the tangent line at attic level, would be gentle and satisfying.
FLOOR PLAN OF THE SECOND LEVEL. Floor Area: 167.98 sqm
This geometrical resolution of a statutory problem inspired thebeauty of making a house that resembles the sun rising on the edge of the horizon, especially for a seaside development felt particularly right.
FLOOR PLAN OF THE THIRD LEVEL. Floor Area: 51.6 sqm
Everything else just followed easily as compliments to the main idea. With the support of the developer, Villa Alba was carefully crafted from the exterior to the interior to maintain a cohesive concept and feel.
Security cameras, beyond minimum requirement by code, monitor the entire property.
The home automation system is linked to the alarm system to provide additional safeguards. When an alarm detects a fire, or a certain level of smoke, then all the lights in the house could be set to blink to alert the occupants. Audio and video components could be closed down to alert the homeowner to a possible fire or burglary. Again, this is beyond minimum requirement by code. 
Remote control activates motion sensors and security cameras and turns on exterior night lights. Smart control of lights is used to set preferences to limit children’s access to entire house’s audio, video and security systems. Also beyond minimum requirement by code.
The building is equipped with lightning protection.
Building is equipped with a household shelter in the basement, providing protection against disasters such as blasts and fragments during an emergency.
A fire hydrant is installed at the entrance.
Class A fire extinguishers are provided for each floor.
Fire and smoke detectors are installed to alarm occupants from possible danger.
The unprotected opening of the building is controlled within the safe zone by the set back from neighbouring building.
Building material is fire-rated with the minimum period of fire resistance required by code.
Frequently used in Italy, travertine is a white or light-colored calcareous rock deposited from mineral springs. The word ‘travertine’ is derived from the Italian travertino, a derivation of the Latin tiburtinus ‘of Tibur’. Its namesake is the origin of Tivoli, a district near Rome.
Like marble, travertine is a form of limestone, though not as exorbitant. In ancient times, Romans used travertine on the main parts of buildings where marble use would be too much of a luxury. For example, steps would be made of travertine while the columns or sculptures were made of marble.
Among the famous buildings that use this type of stone are the Sacré-Coeur Basilica in Paris, the Theater of Marcellus, the Cathedral at Pisa and the Roman Colosseum, the largest building in the world constructed mostly of travertine.
Frequently used in Italy, travertine is a white or light-colored calcareous rock deposited from mineral springs. The word ‘travertine’ is derived from the Italian travertino, a derivation of the Latin tiburtinus ‘of Tibur’. Its namesake is the origin of Tivoli, a district near Rome.
Like marble, travertine is a form of limestone, though not as exorbitant. In ancient times, Romans used travertine on the main parts of buildings where marble use would be too much of a luxury. For example, steps would be made of travertine while the columns or sculptures were made of marble.
Among the famous buildings that use this type of stone are the Sacré-Coeur Basilica in Paris, the Theater of Marcellus, the Cathedral at Pisa and the Roman Colosseum, the largest building in the world constructed mostly of travertine.
Since the seventh century, teak wood — whose tree, Tectona grandis, is native to the tropics — has been used to adorn the residences of the rich and powerful. Burmese teak is a mainstay in shipbuilding as it makes for an excellent ship wood due to its ability to ward off dry rot. While it is found in Southeast Asian nations like Thailand and Malaysia, the most precious and valuable teak is known to come from Burma.
Wenge was utilized here for the doors and joinery panels, it is a rich, dark wood with an elegant and exotic appeal.
The arching carport contributes to the pitch, but is in fact separated from the main building. The architects have here taken advantage of the regulations which allow a carport in front of the setback line, thus preserving the design intent while also complying with the guidelines.
Villa Alba won the Asia Pacific Property Awards for Best Architecture, Single Residence Singapore and Interior Design, Single Residence Singapore for 2013-2014.
