Cover The neutral palette and light tones add to the feeling of restfulness in this living room by Sujonohun
The neutral palette and light tones add to the feeling of restfulness in this living room by Sujonohun
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Tatler+
For over a decade, Sujonohun's award-winning designers Molina Hun and Sujono Lim have been crafting spaces defined by a seamless alignment of design functionality and contemporary sensibilities
With formal training in interior architecture, over a decade of extensive design experience, and an aligned vision to craft spaces defined by both functionality and a contemporary design language, Molina Hun and Sujono Lim couldn’t be a better match. The two designers joined forces to establish their firm, Sujonohun, back in 2015, and have been setting a new standard for Singapore’s residential design scene ever since.
Creative director Molina Hun’s dedication to the field is rooted in her early life and education, through which she grew her fascination with materials, colours, and how the built environment affects the human experience. She draws inspiration from photography, art, craft, travel, and the built environment.
Hun later honed her architectural and interior design skills in renowned firms such as K2LD and Park + Associates, before finally founding Sujonohun.
Above Founders of Sujonohun, Sujono Lim and Molina Hun, photographed at the Tatler Homes Design Awards 2024
Founders of Sujonohun, Sujono Lim and Molina Hun, photographed at the Tatler Homes Design Awards 2024
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Prior to his role as the principal director of Sujonohun, co-founder Sujono Lim refined his skillset at CSYA and Hirsch Bedner Associates, working primarily on luxury hotels around Asia. He brings a mix of experience and open-mindedness to the table, guiding the studio with his intuition and business acumen to face the ever-changing challenges of Singapore’s modern design industry.
We caught up with the founders to find out more about their design philosophy, the kinds of projects they’re keen to take on, and some of the award-winning works in Sujonohun’s impressive portfolio.
Don’t miss: Home tour: A Peranakan-inspired show gallery for freehold condominium Straits at Joo Chiat
The open-plan living and dining room of a minimalist 12,000 sq ft detached house called RSR Project, which won the Best Modern Minimalist Concept at Tatler Homes Design Awards 2024
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As a design duo, how do you usually work with each other?
We typically lead different projects to avoid overlapping responsibilities. For larger-scale or commercial projects, such as show flats, we take on distinct roles to ensure that design, FFE, and execution are fully aligned. As both work and life partners, this arrangement has proven effective for us.
We also collaborate closely with our third partner and design director, Yanika Gunawan, to ensure all aspects of a project are meticulously covered.
How do you define Sujonohun’s design philosophy?
The studio embodies a spirit of exploration and a sense of discovery, with a focus on crafting a thoughtful and distinguished experience through the quality of the space, materials, and objects in an immersive interior environment.
What inspires you?
While our works are shaped by a core belief in timeless design principles, the studio remains highly attuned to the pulsating trends of the design industry for today’s most sophisticated projects and select clients.
By being analytical and observant, we apply a discerning lens to the creative process, to craft innovative and responsive design solutions that allow our practice to evolve.
You also design furniture, lighting and even branding. Can you share more about this work?
We occasionally design custom furniture and lighting when faced with challenges such as limited space and the need for multi-functional pieces that meet our aesthetic standards. We hope to expand further into custom furniture, lighting, and branding in the future. However, our primary focus remains on high-end residential and commercial projects.
The den in the attic can be reconfigured into a self-contained apartment, to be used by the children when they grow older and need more personal space
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You’ve won awards for quite a few of your projects. Can you tell us about some of these?
One of our proudest award-winning designs is the RSR Project (above), a 12,000 sq ft detached house that won Best Modern Minimalist Concept at the Tatler Homes Design Awards 2024. We were involved with this new build from the ground up, ensuring that the interior worked holistically with the architecture, and fine-tuning the layout to suit the client’s lifestyle.
The Commodore (below) is another favourite, a two-room show unit along Canberra Drive, completed in 2021 and a winner of the Singapore Interior Design Awards. We created an inviting kitchen island and introduced ample dark wood and warm colours to impart a cosy atmosphere to the show unit. This design was executed in tune with market trends; apartment units are getting more compact and we sensitively planned the space to facilitate efficient flow, overlapping the various zones’ functions.
Read more: Home tour: A minimalist house in Singapore with a pair of picture windows
The ample use of dark wood and warm colours impart a cosy atmosphere to Sujonohun’s show unit at The Commodore
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Finally, The Myst (below) was designed to be an instantly memorable space. Modern and clean-lined, we elevated this sales gallery and show unit in Upper Bukit Timah with a sprinkling of Eastern touches and opulence that bring a peaceful feeling of zen to the venue.
We had to work within the limitations of the site, which we inherited from another developer, making use of the varying ceiling height to demarcate key areas. The complex redesign posed a challenge we think back to fondly.
In case you missed it: How Sujonohun does sophisticated Asian-flavoured interiors
A tranquil pebbled path leads to the show unit representing The Myst, a condominium in Upper Bukit Timah
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Do you consider awards to be important for your practice?
While client satisfaction is our primary goal, awards help us benchmark our work against industry standards. They serve as milestones, motivating us to innovate and create better designs without being a point of pride.
Winning awards also prompts us to reflect on the entire project lifecycle—from client engagement and the design process to completion and feedback. It reassures us that we are on the right path and reaching significant milestones in our practice.
What makes a project award-worthy in your opinion?
A project is award-worthy when every design element—spatial layout, finishes, ambience, and soft furnishings—comes together perfectly as a cohesive whole, without being pretentious.
Above A delightfully furnished study corner in the children’s bedroom
Above Backlit traditional Japanese shelves cast enchanting shadows on the blinds in the tea room
A delightfully furnished study corner in the children’s bedroom
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What are you currently working on?
We are currently busy with landed houses, apartments, and upcoming show units slated for launch this year. We have several high-end residential projects underway. Thanks to word-of-mouth, we continue to attract clients through recommendations—even when we don’t get to feature all of our projects online due to privacy and confidentiality.
Going forward, what kinds of projects are you keen to take on?
We seek meaningful projects that stand the test of time, regardless of the typology. Our goal is to collaborate with clients who share our commitment to achieving the highest standards of design and quality in the finished product.
Credits
Images: Courtesy of Sujonohun
