A Singapore house with a minimalist interior that keeps clutter at bay

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A Singapore house with a minimalist interior that keeps clutter at bay

In this semi-detached residence, Singaporean architect Ko Shiou Hee uses light timber tones and smart storage design to create a minimalist habitation.

thirteen Jun 2022 06:30AM (Updated: 05 Jul 2022 02:10AM)

For many years, this semi-detached firm – which has a garden and three bedrooms – was rented out. There was nothing unpleasant about it: The facade with its quaint domed apertures, coffee-coloured glazing, as well as terracotta roof tiles could be considered quaint. But it could also appear dated, and the interior functions were inadequate for the possessor, who decided to reclaim the firm for her ain family unit.

"While it was rented out, the tenant had furniture and other belongings everywhere. I had no idea how it would look fifty-fifty when it was emptied. After he moved out, I barely had time to go and see the house, as I was preoccupied with piece of work during last year's excursion breaker. But at that place was no dubiety that a complete makeover was necessary. I wanted a home of repose, a sanctuary to get away from the bustle of a stressful day," she said in the brief to the architect.

The semi-discrete house at present has a slick facade with a black-grey palette. (Photo: Khoo Guo Jie)

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The architect turned out to be her 2nd cousin Ko Shiou Hee, who heads K2LD Architects. The Singapore- and Melbourne-based firm has congenital a strong reputation for its inventive house designs. They include an abode with greenish copper walls that synthesises the edifice to its verdant backdrop and another with a triangulated roof that reaches skyward sheltering a patio.

There are as well boxy constructs that use his modernist architectural training to the dictates of the tropical climate – retrieve long eaves, screens, courtyards and open plans.

The archway opens into living area. (Photo: Khoo Guo Jie)

This project, however, is more pocket-sized in comparison. The renovation was to exist kept within its existing 3,500 sq ft beat while keeping in mind the family's needs. Of course, aged mechanical and electrical services, also as plumbing, had to be improved.

"We beloved to cook, and have friends and family over. My extended family lives mostly in the same neighbourhood, inside walking distance. The kitchen has to be functional equally well as [impressive]. Moving from a larger dwelling house, I accept quite a lot of belongings accumulated over the years. Hence, [sufficient] storage was important to foreclose clutter, and Shiou Hee knows best how to exercise that," she spoke appreciatively of Ko'due south smart design ideas.

American builder Lugwig Mies van der Rohe'due south "less is more" philosophy was a governing ethos for K2LD's Ko Shiou Hee. (Photograph: Khoo Guo Jie) "We love to melt, and have friends and family over. My extended family lives generally in the same neighbourhood, within walking altitude." – The homeowner Mutual trust between the relatives meant minimal disruptions to the process. "This allowed the blueprint to reach consistency and the concept to go translated fully [from ideation] to reality," said Ko. To create an overall feeling of calm, he set almost on a reductive strategy that eschews mere decoration for functional beauty.

American architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's "less is more than" philosophy was a governing ethos. "The blueprint is about straight lines, smooth curves, elementary shapes and apartment planes – although information technology is besides about texture," said Ko. A minimalist approach does non equate to dullness; a variety of textures applied in a atypical colour tin create interest in a harmonious way, he added.

"The design is well-nigh direct lines, smoothen curves, unproblematic shapes and apartment planes – although it is also nearly texture," said Ko. (Photo: Khoo Guo Jie)

"The challenge was to retain the existing structure of the house but give it a fresh and timeless look. We replaced the terracotta roof with a new aluminium roof. The curves from the old business firm were rationalised and erased. Windows and doorways were squared for a more modern look," Ko highlighted.

He framed the original windows at the front facade with a rectangular aluminium portal, and filled the spaces between glazing panels with vertical aluminium slats and then that the overall composition reads every bit i element. This now slick facade with a black-greyness palette turns a reticent face up to the street but 1 tin can also translate information technology as a protective beat for the private happenings of domestic life.

Ko created an interior with plenty of calorie-free-toned wood for both the architectural features and cabinetry. (Photo: Khoo Guo Jie)

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Information technology belies the warm interior that Ko has created, with plenty of light-toned forest for both the architectural features and cabinetry. The client, who was inspired by the placidity of Japanese homes, leaned toward this palette. A screened wall using oak laminate with rhythmic vertical articulations concealing the primary door opens to a living room floored with large, ashen-coloured ceramic floor tiles.

"They were chosen for their neutral colour and vein," said Ko. This flooring continues upwardly 2 steps to a dining expanse where bulbous, skeletal pendant lamps from Foscarini float above a long timber table. Sculpted, classic Carl Hansen CH20 timber dining chairs adhere to the harmonious use of timber while lending a soft bear on.

Sculpted, archetype Carl Hansen CH20 timber dining chairs adhere to the harmonious use of timber while lending a soft bear on. (Photograph: Khoo Guo Jie) "The challenge was to retain the existing structure of the house merely give it a fresh and timeless look." – Ko Shiou Hee A natural oak timber-laminated wall runs along the length of both the living and dining areas. This main visual device camouflages multiple uses. Vertical slats lend interest and a sense of scale to the surface. Shoe storage and cabinetry for various paraphernalia tucked behind sliding doors, also as depressions of various depths containing the television, a bar counter and doorway to the staircase, are aligned in a single plane. "It's all about neatness, purity and neutral colours," summarised Ko on the pattern strategy.

Similar the facade, the utilize of minimal elements is restful on the eye. Sunlight from ample floor-to-ceiling windows farther brightens – and lightens – the space. "Information technology also shows the true colours of the walls, floors and article of furniture, retaining the truthful essence of the minimalist style," said Ko.

The staircase walls and flooring employ the same palette of low-cal oak timber laminate cladding and blackness metal handrails. (Photo: Khoo Guo Jie)

Above the living room, he inserted some other angular feature. "Since it is an quondam house, the ceiling was quite low to start with. We redesigned the ceiling to accommodate piping for a new air conditioning system simply pushed the centre of the living room up 150mm, which was all we had. In order to create the illusion of a higher space, a blackness rim was added," Ko highlighted.

Instead of adding cove lights, as many are wont to practise in such situations, he clad the surface with oak laminate panels that match the walls. A graphic effect is created with black, recessed light fixtures and a black ceiling fan.

The vertical slat detail continues on 1 side for visual consistency, drawing the center up and inward, as well as bringing the sense of calm from the first storey to the more private zones upstairs. (Photo: Khoo Guo Jie)

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The staircase walls and floor utilise the same palette of light oak timber laminate cladding and black metal handrails. The vertical slat item continues on ane side for visual consistency, drawing the eye up and inwards, as well every bit bringing the sense of calm from the first storey to the more private zones upstairs.

As the staircase turns ninety degrees, Ko cutting an opening in the wall betwixt it and the dining expanse, and screened the interface to requite clue to the comings and goings of the occupants. In front of information technology is the same bar counter.

As the staircase turns ninety degrees, Ko cutting an opening in the wall between it and the dining area, and screened the interface to give inkling to the comings and goings of the occupants. In front end of it is the bar counter. (Photograph: Khoo Guo Jie)

"A deconstructed muzzle of vertical timber and horizontal metal elements integrate the back of the bar, while allowing light from the top of the staircase to filter through. The design satisfies the applied function of the shelving so that the bottles and other objects do non fall out, equally well as protectively enclose the staircase all the way upwards to the landing," described Ko.

On the 2d storey, he discovered a high soffit later on removing the old ceiling. "There was potential in creating a more voluminous space in the study room under the sloping roof by using a slanted form, which we emphasised with upwardly-lights," he said. Exposed timber rafters add to the effect. In the adjacent infinite where the staircase is, he curved the loftier ceiling to reflect more light while eliminating shadow.

At the second level, Ko curved the high ceiling to reflect more light while eliminating shadow. (Photo: Khoo Guo Jie) "There was potential in creating a more voluminous space in the written report room under the sloping roof by using a slanted course," said Ko. Exposed timber rafters add together to the effect. (Photograph: Khoo Guo Jie)

The deep, meticulous thought that went into the nips and tucks of this house's renovation is palpable, and the owner is immensely satisfied with the results. "It is inviting and brilliant, and has sufficient storage. Artwork and furniture fit like a glove. The home now provides warmth and calm."

"It is inviting and bright, and has sufficient storage. Artwork and furniture fit like a glove. The dwelling now provides warmth and calm." – The homeowner

A Singapore house with a minimalist interior that keeps clutter at bay

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