Space Makers: In conversation with Priscilla Khiu, the woman behind Haus Atelier’s lush interiors

How do you define your design philosophy?
We believe that good design can only be created by master builders. In the past, there weren’t architects, engineers and contractors but just master builders, who needed to have a wealth of knowledge and passion for the subject matter. They had to be engineers, architects, mechanical and electrical consultants, and builders all in one.

Good design cannot be compartmentalised, and many of the old buildings that we marvel at today are essentially created from that union of knowledge and the power of creativity.

A great benefit of this design and build philosophy is that we get to own the process with the client, and the client only needs to communicate with one party for their project. In more traditional agreements there can be three or four groups of people involved, and some details can get lost in translation.

We design what the client wants first and execute it within our team. Our workers are on our payroll so they are incentivised to deal with the level of customisation that our clients require.

What inspires you in your designs?
We always see beautiful projects done in the US and Europe, whether on our travels or online, and we always ask, why can that not be done in Singapore? We are always pushing the boundaries of what is possible from a design and finishing perspective.

What's your personal definition of luxury?
My personal definition of luxury is a beautiful home that reflects modern sensibilities and one's own personality and is also a peaceful abode one can retreat to.

Living in land-scarce Singapore, we do not have the luxury of acres of land to design around. It becomes an exciting challenge for designers to reinvent what good and comfortable living looks like in smaller spaces whilst making them thoughtful.

How do you go about tailoring your projects to your clients?
Everyone has a different idea of what that dream home looks like. It is our job to extract the crux of that idea—be it multi-generational living, cohesiveness with the surrounding greens, privacy, or something else—and weave that into a suitable style and language that can be digested. We dream big, ask hard questions, review the suitability and adaptability of the various spaces across time, and help clients reimagine their homes throughout the decades.

We work with sophisticated 3D modelling software to provide photorealistic renders which aid in that communication. Seeing is believing—the recreation of the various spaces helps clients imagine themselves living in the house and helps build a home that caters to their needs—a home that is uniquely them.

Read more: Space Makers: Meet the award-winning interior designers behind Sujonohun

You mention that your firm pushes the boundaries of traditional construction methods and material constraints. How do you go about this?
Just like in other industries, we are limited in terms of what is available and at what cost to fit into the client’s budget. For example, in some countries, solid woods are a staple in carpentry works, but in Singapore, that is not the case.

Most carpenters are familiar with the usual joinery that is made up of plywood. Haus Atelier constantly tries to push the envelope by ‘experimenting’ with different joinery forms, materials, and new construction technology.

We do also try to encourage the use of better materials where we can because they impact the finished product. We are always on the lookout for the next material and technology.

Please tell us about some of your proudest projects.
In 2019, we completed a major project in Siglap, a corner terrace house located beside a park. The house had been sloping on its plot, and the slant could be felt, particularly on the second floor. A full rebuild was out of the question, so we addressed the slanting structure internally by rebuilding the retaining wall, ensuring it matched the existing building for a cohesive result.

Today, everyone talks about the beautiful colonial interiors but no one picks up on the original structural flaws thanks to our correction. We had a great rapport with the owners and we pushed through great hoops to reconstruct an old house into a home with character and authenticity.

Two other projects we’re proud of are a full renovation of a home near Bukit Timah, completed in 2023 with a light and breezy feel, and an apartment at Cairnhill Plaza, a unit with a very unusual layout and strange requirements. We transformed the latter into an innovative abode that blends the elegance of the British colonial style with art deco opulence.

In case you missed it: Space Makers: How Mr Shopper Studio crafts home interiors tailored to different lifestyles

What have been some of your greatest lessons and takeaways since founding your firm?
Saying no. Saying no is sometimes half the battle won. You cannot be a good fit for everybody and it is ok to let an exciting project go. Unlike with many other businesses, the nature of design is very personal and subjective. The creation of a home is even more intimate and private. It is important to us that we have a certain rapport with our clients in order to help actualise their homes. It is hard to design without a soul or to have someone hold your hand and draw.

Dream big, dream beautiful. The measure of a good dish lies in the complexity of its ingredients. A portfolio-worthy project needs depth and quality ingredients to trigger that elevated response as soon as you lay your eyes on it. At Haus Atelier, we dream of houses that are not defined by local construction capacity and we push the tradesmen to achieve the same finish as our counterparts abroad. If it can be done abroad, why can’t it be done locally?

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