Most recognise the late President Ong Teng Cheong as a dutiful public servant who attempted to audit Singapore’s vast holdings but few realise that he was also one of the founding partners (together with Mrs. Ong Siew May) of visionary architecture firm – ONG&ONG.

Yes, the people’s president was not just responsible, he was quite the taste maker. Founded in 1972 and incorporated by 1992, his guidance of ONG&ONG has led the firm to develop over four decades long reputation for skilled architecture, clever interior design and creative landscapes. Even with his passing, the heirs of the company have led the agency to such success that they are now operating in 13 cities and managing creative projects in 18 countries across three continents.

The ONG&ONG 65BTP House

One such exemplar of Ong & Ong projects happens to be the 65BTP House. Nestled in Singapore’s high net worth district of Bukit Timah, the house is surrounded by a vast garden that converges at a colossal pre-war rain tree of such magnificence that its presence is ingrained within the very architecture of the house itself. It is with this respect to the natural surroundings that ONG&ONG have designed the home such that its occupants are bound to enjoy numerous encounters with the great outdoors whilst still being very much indoors.

While nature-inspired, the home is quite modern. An avant garde white sculpture adorns the garden and numerous artistic touches like feature paintings and statues dot each area of the house strategically. The wooden deck serves as a natural extension of the house, serving to draw one’s gaze into the site’s sloping typography

In terms of furnishings, the living room is dominated by the walnut coffee table (if it can still be called that considering the length and girth of the piece). The kitchen is itself, elegantly appointed with its unobtrusive Eubiq electrical rail of power points and built in appliances. Wood and stone fittings continue the pervasive sense of natural sophistication, making the house a thing of timeless beauty.