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P R O F I L E | G U Z A R C H I T E C T S
him apart too.) The impacts on the planet
visibly alarm him. "To ease our conscience
as a company," he says, "we plant a lot of
trees to help offset the carbon footprint
of the houses." While acknowledging
that this effort is not nearly enough to
help the world reverse course, Wilkinson
nonetheless has purchased 18 acres of
land in the UK and planted about 7,000
trees there. He also bought lots of land in
New Zealand and planted some 500 trees.
As for the cultivation of Meera Sky Garden,
"It wasn't a big site, and the brief was for
a relatively big building," Wilkinson says
of the project. "I think considering that,
we did our best for a building that would
grow over the years and look better as the
gardens grew. When I go back there now,
it really is a green park sitting amongst all
these other houses." A thriving garden
oasis.
guzarchitects.com
make it sculptural, this glistening Atlantis
is particularly on brand for Singapore.
Because of the depth of the pool, however,
"We reflected light into the basement so it's
not just a black concrete hole," Wilkinson
explains.
Materially, the house rhymes with its
region in all ways. Expansive overhangs
protect the facade from deteriorating rains
(a fate that befalls many overzealously
constructed local homes). The central
staircase is a warm, lustrous teak. Pool
tiles are from Indonesia. "We try to source
local materials from the region," Wilkinson
says. "Not every client wants Italian
marble."
Even the smallest bit of restraint sets
Wilkinson apart. Yes, he designs big
staggering houses for clients with very
deep pockets. But the architect also turns
down work he sees as too irresponsible
to consider, even in Singapore. (This sets
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