Singapore’s Armadillo House Blocks Out Noise Pollution with a Unique Shell

Where you choose to build your home is almost as important as its design, but sometimes you have to make do with what you've got. For one family in <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/Singapore/">Singapore</a>, that meant finding a way to coexist with a traffic crossing and a highway viaduct right outside their door. Using a bit of biomimicry, <a title="" href="http://www.formwerkz.com/" target="_blank">Formwerkz Architects</a> found a way to create a peaceful, minimalist home among the rush of traffic and noise.

Just a stone's throw away from this two and half story corner terrace house is a busy roadway.

From the beginning of its design, both the family and the architects were worried about noise, pollution, and privacy.

Instead of erecting an unsightly fence to block out possibly intrusions (along with the sun), the designers decided to take their inspiration from the armadillo.

The house features upper shells that form a shielding surface from direct light.

Mechanical fans from the upper levels pull the cooler air from the ground floor upward.

This unique shell tactic blocks out noise and dust, and creates the feeling of privacy without shutting out the natural light or building an unpleasant wall.