An engineer by training, Michael Chia relishes the challenges of planning a three-generation home for his family.

These homeowners loved their neighbourhood so much, that when it came time to find a new home the owners decided to look for a plot in the same area. “We moved here in 1982 and now know all our neighbours. So when this piece of land and the previous house situated on it was put up for sale, I wanted to get hold of it to build my own dream house,” says homeowner Michael Chia. The charm of the estate, consisting of four semi-detached homes and a bungalow, comes from its lush and peaceful surroundings nestled in the East of Singapore.

The Right Pace
The original bungalow was left untouched for two years, while Chia and his wife took their time to look at other properties in search of inspiration for their new home. “My concept for this house is really one where we can live, play and entertain. I believe that having the layout the way you want is important,” he says, of the newly built, 7,950 sq ft bungalow.

Chia is the MD (Marine and Technology) of Keppel Offshore & Marine. He’s also the chairman of the Singapore Maritime Foundation. Even with a busy schedule that involves frequent work trips, Chia took on the task of planning the home instead of leaving it entirely to the architect, Raymond Woo & Associates Architects.

As an engineer, it was a process he enjoyed. But he also realised that expert help would come in handy when designing the interiors. For that, he roped in Thomas Tham, the Design Principal of White Corporate. “It came to a point where there were too many details, so I showed Thomas and his team my layout and what I wanted. The team sorted out all the details and Thomas helped in the selection of materials, lighting and colours,” he says. 

As one of the country’s leading award-winning design firms, White Corporate boasts an impressive portfolio of high-end residential and commercial projects. Helmed by Tham, the company has three affiliated divisions, White Space Living, Substance Living and White2 Partnership, catering to the needs of their extensive client base. Over the years, it has also won a slew of coveted awards, from the A’Design Award Winner 2013 and Five Stars Rating Best Office Interior (Singapore) by the International Property Awards (Asia Pacific), to the Asia’s Top Design Practices Award (Commercial and Residential) by the Singapore Design Awards 2014. 

Room For Growth


The three-generational home is designed to provide personal space for each member of the family. Chia’s father lives in his own wing facing the pool. It’s a bright living space with a lounge area and bedroom that gives a view of the landscaping on the 8,200 sq ft compound. 

For Chia and his wife, a section of the second floor makes up their domain, consisting of the bedroom, study and living area. Of the second floor’s L-shaped layout, he shares, “After you pass by our doorway, it’s as if you enter a space with two walk-up apartments. One floor is for our elder son and the other is for our younger son.” These are also spaces for their future families. Each living space is bright and cheery, with streamlined designs and natural finishes. Because of the space planning, the areas still feel connected to one another. 

The couple’s children are currently pursuing their studies overseas. So weekends are spent entertaining their friends in spaces, such as the living and dining areas, AV room or rooftop garden. 

A White Corporate Success

“The owners wanted the house to be unique, and to have a posh and luxurious feel,” Tham says. Brown hues, seen in the furnishings, complement and warm up the cool marble finishes on the wall and floor. Key furniture pieces chosen reflect unassuming elegance and an emphasis on comfort. In the dining area, a Swarovski chandelier glams up the simple elegance of the black marble dining table. Art pieces bought on cruises and travels brighten up the space. A colourful piece of tapestry purchased in Belgium stands out at the stairwell. 

One of the things that Tham recommended was to clad the massive wall at the stairwell with acid-washed marble slabs. Coming through the large skylight overhead, the flood of natural light enhances the textured surface during the day. 

Another highlight here is the glass-encased hydraulic lift. It’s something that the family loves for its convenience and how it enhances the look of the stairwell. Chia says, “I needed to have a basement because I wanted the lift to be parked in the basement all the time. So, when you need it, you’ll see a beautiful glass lift rising.”

He adds, “All in all, we needed to arrange it in such a way that the space flows. And that we got to put in things that allow us to enjoy the house, such as the karaoke room, swimming pool and bar. My advice is to have the interior designer on board in the early stages. Thomas was able to reconfigure some details early on and we were able to bounce ideas with him on the materials to use.”