All posts tagged: Residences

The design solution that made this Singapore home feel private and serene

The design solution that made this Singapore home feel private and serene

Published by Sam Flores

As I entered this semi-detached house in eastern Singapore, a sculptural bonsai tree greeted me. Placed in a courtyard beside the foyer, it served as a focal point and connected me to the outdoors even as I stepped inside. The tree was also visible from the living and dining rooms, which felt cocooning thanks to the Black Nero Marquina marble flooring and carefully calibrated openings.  After reviewing the portfolios of several firms, the owner decided Ming Architects was the best fit. “I wanted a functional home that is quiet and has privacy from the main road,” said the owner. That is understandable – the house sits close to its neighbours, and the narrow road in front is often crowded with moving and parked cars. The owner’s audiophile sound system was an important part of the brief, and architect Tan Cher Ming, founder of Ming Architects, designed a slim, handsome console to display his turntable and other audio equipment. This, rather than a television, is the highlight of the living room. “This space is more for …

Inside a Singapore family home with room to grow

Inside a Singapore family home with room to grow

Published by Sam Flores

Nevertheless, a resort-like atmosphere still pervades the home – from the grotto-like water feature in the garden and the skylit master bathroom to the airy living and dining spaces, and the serene master bedroom. A MEETING OF MINDS When I visited one morning in mid-January, fresh breezes wafted through the living spaces. That was partly due to the home’s elevated plot, which looks out over surrounding low-rise residences and a swathe of parkland beyond. “We enjoyed a good synergy,” said Quek, the project’s lead architect. “The client brought in a lot of ideas in terms of the colour schemes, the materiality, the feel of the space. We simply created good double-volume spaces that she could dress up.” Quek also appreciated the collaborative nature of the relationship. “They were very open to suggestions and willing to try different things,” he said. At the same time, because of that rapport, the couple did not take everything at face value and would sometimes propose alternatives of their own. It was also a plus that the main contractor, Arsea …

Japanese minimalism meets family living in River Valley

Japanese minimalism meets family living in River Valley

Published by Sam Flores

Unifying the entire apartment is a consistent material and colour palette. Japanese oak covers the floor and cabinetry. It also clads a few walls, including the fluted columns. Lime wash paint is found in the backsplash of the kitchen and in the tatami mat area, while blackened steel serves as accents.  Illuminating all that effort is the careful, considered use of lighting. Working with Japanese brand Endo, Leong introduced ceiling coves for that ambient glow, while strategically placed downlights shine on the furniture and decor. Newly replaced double-glazed floor-to-ceiling windows and doors let in daylight. Several months after the owners moved in, Leong went back for a visit and was pleased that the integrity of the design had been retained. She was particularly enamoured of the calm, homely and highly curated sanctuary she had created. Given its size, it would have been easy for the owners to ask for a showy spectacle that ranked high on the luxe factor – but they chose otherwise..  “At K2LD, we have done several large apartment fit-outs and many …

Inside a mid-century modern house in Bangkok, Thailand

Inside a mid-century modern house in Bangkok, Thailand

Published by Sam Flores

Integrating the old house with the extension was challenging. The architect decided to create a “connecting zone” between these two parts. “We relocated the original staircase into this space, which helped free up usable areas in the old house, both in plan and section,” he said. The whole staircase was dismantled and moved, down to the original redwood – a Thai hardwood – handrail. This was an important gesture as the staircase was one of the key elements of the old house that the owner had fond memories of.  “This central connecting space allows the lower and upper floors of both buildings to flow together smoothly, while hidden sliding doors between the rooms provide flexibility in how the spaces are used, and how much privacy they offer at different times,” explained Chooduang. The first storey of the original house now boasts a capacious double-volume living room, connected to the dining room by a sliding door. From there, another sliding door leads to the pantry and kitchen, in the rear extension. These interconnected spaces are ideal …