Tatler Homes Design Awards - Singapore: The winners of the 2023 edition

Winner: Aamer Architects and 7 Interior Architecture

Elements as disparate as art, brutalism and sports cars came together to inform the design and functionality of this memorable detached home designed by Aamer Architects and 7 Interior Architecture in Bukit Timah. The client had instructed the designers to create an “extraordinary” home, and they responded by not only crafting an eye-catching concrete structure textured with timber formwork but also a cosy abode in which the homeowners could host guests at dinner parties and wine tastings. Externally, the 6,792 sq ft house comprises two boxy forms: a shorter block in off-form concrete and a taller black granite structure. The interior takes on a softer guise with tones inspired by the hues of wines, along with patterns and geometric forms that take a cue from supercars, all set against a neutral palette. 

Home to a well-travelled couple, their three children and two pet dogs, the abode also features standout elements such as a retro-inspired circular cut-out at the front of the house, along with a sculptural staircase inspired by Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher. An open-plan entertainment den in the basement features an expansive wine wall display, while a spiral staircase leads to a remarkable glass-floor circular wine chamber sure to thrill oenophiles. “The interior cues, especially evident in the wine-cellar structure, are unique and expressive,” declares Melvin Tan, president of the Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA) and Tatler Homes Design Awards jury member.

In case you missed it: Home tour: a Singapore concrete house inspired by sports cars and art

Winner: K2LD Architects

Clad in aluminium screens in a bronze finish, the Metallicus House by K2LD Architects unveils an entirely different guise at night: that of an otherworldly “glowing box” when the lights are switched on and it is viewed from the road. Home to a family with two young children, this striking four-storey abode utilises the operable aluminium panels as shields against the elements and also to ensure privacy. Ed Ng, principal and co-founder of AB Concept and Tatler Homes Design Awards jury member calls it an “elegant and clever take on a facade”. “Using operable panels isn’t new, but the bronze finish takes these to the next level,” he adds.

A see-through glazed wine cellar is the first sight that greets visitors to the home, with the entrance lobby leading to an expansive living area that boasts a sinuous spiral staircase as its standout feature. The first level, which features Ariston White marble as flooring throughout, is perfect for entertaining with its flexibility as it can be used as a single large space or be sectioned into more private zones for different functions. Material-wise, walnut timber laminate wall panels and large-format engineered Tundra marble tiles lend tactility and a modern sensibility throughout, while offering a pleasing contrast to the home’s aluminium shell. Conversely, bronze screens inside the home also mirror the metallic facade of the house for a sense of unity.

In case you missed it: Home Tour: A Good Class Bungalow in Singapore designed as a ‘glowing box’

Winner: Prestige Global Designs

How could one not be hopelessly infatuated with waterfront homes that boast fantastic sea views? Housing a family of four, this 3,500 sq ft penthouse apartment by Prestige Global Designs features spacious interiors that incorporate a wealth of shelves and storage options for the many items the owners acquire on their travels all around the world. The husband’s spacious study is one of the standout spaces in the home, with dark marble flooring and full-length backlit wooden shelves storing books, records, camera accessories and various Lladró figurines. Another is the opulent living area, decked out in mirrored walls and art deco-style decorative screens, a plush Ditre Italia sofa and vibrant cushions from Christian Lacroix and Jim Thompson.

Read more: Home Tour: A stylish penthouse in Singapore’s Sentosa Cove

The inviting dry kitchen is a hotspot for the family, who love to gather around the island for convivial meals and conversation. They also appreciate the personalisation given to their private spaces when they retreat to their bedrooms at the end of the day: light wood and rattan detailing in the daughter’s bedroom assure her beloved modern rustic style, while a Star Wars artwork made up of Lego bricks holds court in the son’s bedroom. The master suite features a chinoiserie-style wallpaper with gilded nature-inspired motifs for a glamorous touch, as befits the luxurious setting of this eminently stylish abode. “The design marries comfort and opulence without ostentation,” says Aun Koh, editor-in-chief at Tatler Asia Group and jury member. “The decorative screens give me The Great Gatsby vibes in the best possible way, imbuing the living area with a fabulous sense of glamour.”

Winner: Farm

Lloyd’s Inn director and co-founder Joan Chang’s love of modern architecture and gorgeous handcrafted objects has resulted in a soothing, minimalist home that immediately sets frazzled nerves at ease. The 6,500 sq ft property designed by Farm features a charming cottage-inspired facade that Chang and her husband sought to retain, with the interiors featuring a layered mix of Japanese and Danish influences. Modern updates such as a matte varnish for the parquet floor and materials such as textured concrete give the space a robust character, while a water feature and mini garden add softness and elements of nature. Niches are located throughout the interior to house floral arrangements and Chang’s treasured handmade objects.

In case you missed it: Home tour: Lloyd’s Inn co-founder Joan Chang’s house is a modern minimalist dream

On the second storey are a family room, master bedroom, guest room and art studio, while the attic level incorporates an entertainment den for karaoke sessions and movie nights, and a gallery in which Chang indulges her love of artistic pursuits below its dramatic vaulted ceiling. Erwin Viray, chief sustainability officer at SUTD (Singapore University of Technology and Design) and Tatler Homes Design Awards jury member lauded how the “specific qualities of the client reinforced the bespoke elements of the space and place”.

Winner: Architology Interiors

Designed by Architology Interiors, this 7,200 sq ft home’s voluminous living room sets the tone for the rest of its spaces, which are characterised by the liberal application of marble in almost every corner and areas that showcase the owner’s beloved Louis Vuitton collectibles. An imposing TV feature wall in grey marble lords over the living room, with dramatic white veining that makes it seem almost like an artwork. Grey and brown-toned furnishings are balanced by the creamy white marble flooring; two Louis Vuitton travelling trunks act as coffee tables in the middle of this breezy tableau. The dining space and dry kitchen embody a warm, timber-centric aesthetic, with their brown hues softened by natural light, while an island clad in book-matched, intricately veined light grey marble slabs adds visual interest.

The private spaces on the second floor and at the attic level are also rich in marble varieties. These include the junior master bedroom, which features an Invisible Grey Leather marble floor and walls, and the entertainment room, with its elegant Dover White marble floor. Complementing the marble are other stone varieties such as Calcite Azul quartzite, which is used in the children’s bathrooms. Many of the toilet fittings are plated in a delicate rose gold to complement the overall colour scheme; the door hinges, towel bars, soap holders, handles and glass frames were also selected to ensure their hues matched. “The singular focus on [using] stones of all types creates variety, yet carries a strong theme throughout the design,” says Melvin Tan, president of SIA (Singapore Institute of Architects) and jury member.

In case you missed it: Home tour: A stylish house in Singapore inspired by the beauty of marble

Winner: TDC & Associates

Homegrown practice TDC & Associates gave this two-decade-old apartment a stunning makeover that marries graceful modern elements with Asian touches in the 1,600 sq ft space. The four-bedroom unit’s panoramic sea views are played up by understated furnishings in the living area, while sleek dark-wood wall panels enhance the look of the interior. The open-plan dining zone is tailor-made for hosting guests, which is one of the owners’ beloved activities. In the adjoining kitchen, white glazed porcelain floor tiles and a tempered glass door brighten the space, while generous dark-wood shelving lends sophistication and ensures plenty of storage space for culinary appliances, tools and ingredients. Incidentally, white porcelain tiles are also applied to the walls and floor of the master bathroom to reflect light and brighten the space.

Considered touches also abound in the sea-facing master bedroom; these include a stylish dark veneer wall behind the bed that has been UV-coated to prevent damage from the sun’s rays, as well as a TV feature wall that hides the wiring for an uncluttered aesthetic. Erwin Viray, chief sustainability officer at SUTD (Singapore University of Technology and Design) and Tatler Homes Design Awards jury member calls the home an “elegant, intimate and serene oasis” with “interiors that inspire the well-being of the dwellers.”

In case you missed it: Home tour: An elegant Singapore apartment in East Coast with stunning sea views

Winner: Quod Architects

The Outdoor House is a rustic-looking yet utterly sophisticated abode by Quod Architects that celebrates the use of natural materials and wears its kampung village influences proudly on its sleeve. Occupied by a family with three young-adult children, the 6,189 sq ft abode is a tropical-themed open, breezy structure in an ode to its owners’ love of nature and gardening. The inclusion of various communal spaces encourages interaction among the family members and propagates the “community spirit” so treasured by residents of the villages of old. The three-storey structure is topped by a wide roof that assures shelter from the heat and the rain, while a spiral staircase located by the car porch is sheltered by the refreshing greenery of a 12m-high tree just in front of it.

Full-height glass doors that lead to a side garden ensure that the living and dining areas feel brighter and more expansive, as does a wall of large windows that invites lots of natural light to enter. Overall, the generous use of timber, stone and rough-textured paint on the walls add tactility, ruggedness and a priceless outdoorsy feel. Kian Liew, head of global interior design and technical services at The Ascott and Tatler Homes Design Awards jury member was especially impressed by the “openness of the spaces and how each area flows and connects with good cross-ventilation.”

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Winner: Edmund Ng Architects

Few things bring character and warmth to living spaces like art, which also fulfils the dual purpose of acting as an instant conversation starter among guests. Designed by Edmund Ng Architects, this 6,135 sq ft detached house formerly owned by human resources professional and talented illustrator Caroline Lim is the personification of all the things that she and her husband love, including fine art and vintage cars. On the outside, the home’s charcoal-hued facade communicates an air of mystery and sophistication that hints at the surprises waiting to be discovered within.

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The first of these is that the living room is sited at the attic level, to capitalise on the greenery of the tree canopy and fully leverage the natural view. Every wall in the house was also designed as a backdrop for art, with lighting cleverly employed to elevate and highlight these as well as establish the mood. Much of the abode sports an overall dark-toned vibe and black hues for a gothic mood, peppered with splashes of red and white to keep the look from descending into stodginess. Another alluring touch is found in the master bedroom and attic, where a blossoming bougainvillea tree captures the eye through a picture window at the end of an elongated space. “The contrast of tones, black palette, and natural illumination or purposeful lighting brings out the lively personality of this abode,” comments Sabrina Long, dean of the School of Art and Design at NAFA and design awards jury member.

Winner: Galerie 5 by Sol Luminaire

Stepping into the Galerie 5 showroom along Craig Road is akin to entering a veritable Aladdin's Cave of surprises. Located in a modern minimalist shophouse, the 3,800 sq ft store features curved walls and meandering pathways that lead one to delightful discoveries within its cavernous, organically inspired interior, be they sculptural vessels or large pendant lights with craggy volcanic-inspired details. The third boutique by Singapore lighting company Sol Luminaire, this three-storey space pulls customers in and immerses them in the brand experience.

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Joseph Ho, co-founder of Sol Luminaire, says the store concept helps visitors to “experience light as a medium of various art movements and styles” as the featured brands and artisans “bring about new ideas that combine interdisciplinary approaches, material exploration and circadian rhythm to engage all five senses”. Its offerings include lighting fixtures by Ukrainian firm Makhno Studio and Belgian artist-designer Sarah Dehandschutter of IIII, as well as furniture from French artist Frédéric Saulou; all of their interesting forms are played up wonderfully in dedicated zones. “The unexpected and sophisticated look and feel envelopes the overall design with a sense of calmness,” says Nur Hidayah Abu Bakar, dean of the Faculty of Design at Lasalle College of the Arts and Tatler Homes Design Awards jury member.

Winner: Evocateurs

Evocateurs designed a series of stunning art nouveau-style spaces for the show apartment of the luxurious Klimt Cairnhill condominium, drawing on its experience in “evoking a sensation, a memory, and an emotional response through the physical space”. Klimt Cairnhill is a 36-storey tower with a curvilinear design and a facade with gleaming gold elements inspired by 19th-century Austrian symbolist painter Gustav Klimt, and the design firm matched this aesthetic with corresponding elements from this design era.

The 877 sq ft show apartment is a heady amalgamation of warm mood lighting, jewel tones and organically shaped bespoke furnishings. Delightful discoveries abound, be it the joyous living room with its mod-style furniture, the pod-like home office, the tangerine-hued master suite or the convertible guest bedroom and home gym. Evocateurs sought inspiration from a range of early 20th century artists for the overall look, including Joan Miró’s colourful abstract paintings and the surrealist creations of Spanish artist Salvador Dali. Nur Hidayah Abu Bakar, dean of the Faculty of Design at Lasalle College of the Arts and THDA jury member called the show unit “unique and unexpected”, hailing its inclusion of curves and attention to detail.

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Winner: UPSTRS_

Jury member Sabrina Long calls this 14,200 sq ft private banking lounge and workspace in the OCBC centre a “winner” due to its considered “layering of materials, subtle details, spaces and quality”. Besides being apt, such high praise is indeed warranted as the OCBC Premier Private Lounge designed by UPSTRS_, which injects its 16 rooms with an East-meets-West design sensibility in a way that succeeds on a corporate branding as well as a more personal level. The nine rooms that face the Chinatown Heritage District sport more traditional Eastern elements such as calligraphy carvings, lattice screens, lanterns and Chinese scrolls, while the other seven are inspired by views of the city skyline and employ materials such as woven wicker, wood, stone and cast concrete.

Every well-lit room catches the eye as a microcosm of the banking brand, and a fine example of design ingenuity in paying homage to the lounge’s location in the Chinatown neighbourhood and the larger Central Business District. Ed Ng, principal and co-founder of AB Concept, was as effusive in his feedback, stating that the designers bested the challenge of “maintaining the appropriate lighting, materiality and dignity for a workspace while creating warmth, ambience and narrative.”

In case you missed it: Meet the jury panel of the Tatler Homes Design Awards - Singapore 2023

Winners: HYLA, Guz Architects, Wallflower Architecture + Design

Sustainable buildings should not be a trend but a given; yet, it appears an exception rather than a norm. In Singapore, where we can enjoy natural ventilation and sunlight most times of the year given the right conditions, there is a high potential to live in harmony with our tropical environment. 

These are values that Swiss luxury appliance manufacturer V-Zug firmly believes in. In this special collaboration with Tatler Homes Singapore, V-Zug is presenting the Sustainability Champions accolade to three firms: Guz Architects, HYLA and Wallflower Architecture + Design. These homegrown architecture firms that have thoughtfully incorporated eco-conscious elements into their residential designs, especially in recent projects. 

Dubbed Vertical Oasis, this house by HYLA Architects has recently been awarded the Gold Green Mark Certificate given out by Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority (BCA), a rare achievement for a private residence in the city-state. Among its eco credentials include the use of solar panels to generate electricity, as well as energy-efficient fittings and cross-ventilated rooms that reduce the reliance on air conditioning.

Going beyond these technical aspects, the property is also a verdant oasis that provides comfort and privacy for its owners. Its central courtyard is cleverly designed to be hidden from view from the main street. It’s only upon entering the abode that visitors catch sight of the glorious double-volume courtyard within. A koi pond and swimming pool flank the lofty indoor-outdoor area of the house, adding to its restful look. An intricate trellis creates shadow play on the party wall and the water features.

Helmed by founder Guz Wilkinson, houses designed by Guz Architects are bucolic havens, with flourishing gardens that are experienced from every part of the house and are deeply integrated with the architecture. The Water Courtyard House is a good example. The water courtyard is created from the amalgamation of a Koi pond and a swimming pool. Island planters with willows and pine trees in the water bodies add further shade.

The large roof overhangs are important devices to mitigate the heat and glare in hot and humid Singapore. They provide ample shade to terraces, thus encouraging use of these non-air conditioned spaces. When it rains, the interiors are protected but windows can also be left open for natural ventilation. The timber that clads some walls and ceilings is well protected by these roof overhangs, ensuring their durability.  

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This eco-conscious philosophy is evident in one of Tan’s recent projects, dubbed the Forgetting Time House. For the architect, it was imperative that the house employed plenty of passive architecture strategies to prevent heat gain and promote cross ventilation. Co-founder Robin Tan employed thick masonry walls with cavities that have good thermal mass, hence providing insulation against heat transference to the interior.

Frangipani trees are planted on every level of the house, visible from multiple rooms and angles. This layering of landscaped terraces reduces the heat and glare of sunlight reflecting harshly off bare roofs. The rooftop gardens also reduce heat on the building’s surface. Solar-powered garden lights also help save electricity, and even the swimming pool in the courtyard is a sustainable device. Timber is deployed generously, appreciated for its beauty and how it can be harvested responsibly.

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