ARCHITECT Ernesto Bedmar's home is just across the road from popular shopping mall VivoCity, but it is a world apart in terms of peace and quiet.His rented black-and-white semidetached house at Telok Blangah is a haven of tranquillity - only the rustling of leaves and the occasional barking of his pet dog, Dingo, break the silence.

It was the area's leafy and restful ambience that attracted the 54-year-old Argentinian, who lives alone, to the house. He moved in about six years ago.

His previous abode was an old apartment in Grange Road which he left when 'the area got too noisy'.

Incidentally, he is not too fond of VivoCity either. 'But I love going to Sentosa and it's not far away,' says the architect, who has lived in Singapore for 24 years.

The house has another appeal: Mr Bedmar is known for designing tropical homes and this 2,000 sq ft home, built about 90 years ago as a home for a middle-ranking British army officer, surely provides inspiration.

Read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.