One of the twin houses designed by Mercurio Design Lab (MDL), Villa Mistral is located on the tranquil eastern coast of Sentosa Island, Sentosa Cove, the first and most exclusive marina residential community in Singapore. The desired architectural style for the villa is to embody the seafront surrounding. The structure must enhance ambience to the neighbourhood, at the same time, has to be iconic. In addition, the brief called for optimal use of natural materials, sustainable strategies, and to observe fengshui requirements.
Named after the seasonal strong, northwesterly wind that blows across the Mediterranean, Mistral is like a sleek yacht swathed in metallic white. The structural elements are expressed externally and internally, simultaneously referencing a boat and communicating the sense of a strong forward thrust. Everything inside is designed to be representative of a boat.
The street elevation of Mistral combines timber and concrete in a facade penetrated by windows of varying scale to generate a strong rhythmic quality. This is complemented by the forward-thrusting angularity of the building that leads the eye towards the water which is only barely glimpsed at this stage. There is total integration, just as the project as a whole is assimilated with building design, interior architecture, decoration, furnishings and art works, but moreover, it reflects feng shui, harmonizing wind and water.
Villa Mistral is over four levels, including a large entertainment room in the basement. Dining, dry kitchen and living are on the entry level, while level two is composed of bedrooms and a roof terrace overlooking the canal. The bedrooms on level two, including the master bedroom, are to the side with one at the rear, street side, with views back to the ocean. The top floor features a spacious open concept of a living and dining lounge facing the pool. Ideal for hosting large parties, the attic lounge opens to a large roof terrace facing the spectacular view of Sentosa Cove. The jacuzzi is designed in the middle to offer respite from the tropical heat.
With a seaside theme and lifestyle that was gravitating around the area, Mistral displays an island character that makes it stand out from the rest of the pitched roof houses in the vicinity. Moreover, it reflects fengshui, harmonising wind and water.