Villa Otto

Villa Otto, nestled in Jervois Hill Singapore, is a nod to an auspicious figure in feng shui. Otto which is an Italian for ‘eight’ is a sign of wealth or fortune in ancient Chinese culture. The house’s curvaceous interlocking of two circular pavilions, each with an internal ‘courtyard’ or atrium in the middle, emphasises the eight form and draw light down into the building.

Due to the transparency of the first and second storeys and the outward thrusting walls and canopies, the villa gives the impression of a spacecraft either about to land or to take off. The ‘spacecraft’ image is supported by the stainless steel cladding that lends the house a spectacular and unique character. It becomes an art work in its own right and, whether seen from the ground or above, demands the attention of any onlooker. The sinuous stainless steel facade is so outstanding that its aesthetic magnificence is asserted in a manifestation of fluidity that only few would dream to bestow upon a building.

The avant-garde exterior is reflected in the overall design of the villa. There’s a custom-made sculpture acting as a canopy over the semi-submerged pool bar, while bespoke fountain bowls pour water into the pool. The ground floor features two atrium spaces floored with glass tiles, which draw light down into the basement. The basement, though hidden, boasts of discreet luxury with its huge underground carpark leading to a basement lounge. Above the atrium is a sky rooftop, which allow natural light to penetrate the open space. The rooftop with its grand entrance, is an ideal spot to hold social activities when the weather is perfect.

The rest of the home exudes Villa Otto’s architectural fluidity as even the interiors display the distinctive curvaceous feature harking to the house's eight form. In its entirety, Villa Otto typifies Mercurio Design Lab's integrative philosophy: where everything from the landscaping to the exterior to the interiors, fixtures, finishes and furnishings create an integrated, singular experience communicating one central idea.