Water-Cooled House

Completed last year in Bukit Timah, Singapore, the exquisite "Water-Cooled House" was designed by Wallflower Architecture + Design. It was awarded the 10th Singapore Institute of Architects Architectural Design Award 2010. In such a warm climate, it utilizes a simple and beautiful way to reduce the heat trapped by the house. The second level consists of a living room, lounge, powder room, and small deck, all surrounded by a clear, quiet pond. The pond is not only beautiful, but cools the breezes that blow on the second level, and insulates the main floor from the heat of the sun. Water is not just a second floor installation, however. The hallway of the main level is demarcated by four more ponds, to cool the air inside.