The first thing you notice about Federico Folcia and Teo Jia En’s house is, well, there is not much house that is apparent from the road. Foliage—thick, wild, jungle-like—shroud the fence, and the beanpole trunks of palm trees stretch skyward, totem-like. Lower down, the widespread leafage of chunkier species sieves the morning sunlight.
Unlike some gargantuan, glassy McMansions clamouring for attention in the verdant and quiet residential neighbourhood, this house courteously blends into the land. Painted an ebony shade, it recedes into a shadowed backdrop for greenery and family life to flourish. It is a lovely setting for the couple and their three daughters—Ella, Ines and Eva who are eight, six and three respectively—sequestered from prying eyes on elevated terrain. At the end of the cobblestone driveway, the garage—chock-a-block with stacks of ceramics and other objects—snapshots the entrepreneurial duo’s intertwined work-and-home life.
Aside from starting boutique digital transformation consultancy Powerhouse, Folcia also founded Crane, a kind of modern-day community centre connecting members through cowork facilities, and hospitality, retail and wellness events. Teo manages its offshoot lifestyle products arm Crane Living while running a private investment firm. Previously, the husband and wife team
