Create Architecture reworks a calm multigenerational home in the east of Singapore

Dec 24, 2025

Cover Create Architecture overhauled this two-storey home in the east of Singapore and turned it into a multigenerational haven of calm

Create Architecture overhauled this two-storey home in the east of Singapore and turned it into a multigenerational haven of calm

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In this adaptive reuse project, Create Architecture turns a modest two-storey home into a vertical haven of calm, proving that the quietest designs can sometimes make the strongest impressions

In a quiet neighbourhood in Singapore’s east, a newly reconstructed corner terrace house now stands as a testament to how thoughtful design can transform a once dingy and constricted space into a luminous, uplifting abode. At the same time, this home, which spans 8,500 sq ft across five levels and houses nine bedrooms, also redefines multigenerational living, proving that familiar togetherness and personal privacy can coexist under one gracefully composed roof.

The home is the brainchild of award-winning boutique studio Create Architecture. The firm’s director and co-founder, Xu Naiyan, explains that the brief called for both ambition and intimacy.

Don’t miss: Home tour: Create Architecture reimagines a Changi kampong house as a multigenerational retreat

Above A roadside perspective of the house at dusk with windows aglow

A roadside perspective of the house at dusk with windows aglow

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“The client had sought a family home that could accommodate multiple generations under one roof while maintaining a sense of individuality and privacy for each member,” he says. “They requested open, light-filled communal areas for interaction, as well as quiet, private spaces for rest, in stark contrast to the original dark and enclosed house.”

The challenge was magnified by the project’s adaptive reuse nature: the original two-storey structure had to be retained and expanded vertically, a move that required as much technical precision as creative imagination. The team kept the first and second storey structural slabs, layering new volumes above while ensuring seamless circulation and robust structural integrity.

A Family Home Reimagined

Above The outdoor Jacuzzi is a popular weekend rendezvous point for the entire family

The outdoor Jacuzzi is a popular weekend rendezvous point for the entire family

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The subsequent design response reads like a spatial symphony of connection and retreat. At street level, the first storey is dedicated to the grandparents’ apartment and a cosy communal lounge complete with a bar counter and a family sitting area. A private outdoor Jacuzzi, screened by high walls, offers a rare slice of serenity in dense suburban Singapore.

Above A view of the corner terrace house’s commodious living and dining zones, which are located on the second level and ensconced within a double-height volume

A view of the corner terrace house’s commodious living and dining zones, which are located on the second level and ensconced within a double-height volume

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Ascend to the second storey and the home opens dramatically into a double-height living and dining space that forms its luminous heart. Here, a dry kitchen with an island counter and a large circular dining table form the perfect spot for family gatherings. The space flows naturally into the courtyard, another double-height volume lush with greenery.

Above Another view of the living and dining zones, which benefit from a double-height ceiling

Another view of the living and dining zones, which benefit from a double-height ceiling

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“Creating the double-height main living space above street level was particularly rewarding,” Xu recalls. “It allowed the design team to craft a dramatic yet comfortable heart of the home that is both light-filled
and private.”

A mezzanine level floats above this living volume, offering an overlook that connects visually while maintaining intimacy—serving as an architectural metaphor for the home’s multilayered family dynamics.

Above Foliage casts dappled sunlight on the spa-like outdoor bath area

Foliage casts dappled sunlight on the spa-like outdoor bath area

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“Special focus was given to the angled facade and window placement, which provide privacy while framing the views,” says Xu. “The double-height courtyard and living area received detailed attention to maximise natural light and cross ventilation.”
Rising further, the attic master suite feels like a retreat within a retreat, with its lounge area, reading corner with built-in bookshelf, and a luxury spa-like bathroom. The latter blurs the line between the indoors and out: the bathtub sits beneath the open sky, complemented by a luxuriously appointed indoor space with double vanities.

Subtle, Serene and Self-assured

Above The facade of this two-storey multigenerational home transformed by Create Architecture

Above Lush greenery in this home softens edges

The facade of this two-storey multigenerational home transformed by Create Architecture

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In assembling this family home, the material palette mirrors Create Architecture’s signature modern tropical chic: marble, travertine, timber and gold accents come together in a tactile harmony that feels both indulgent and organic.

Despite the project’s visual grandeur, its soul lies in subtlety. The design’s “whisper, not shout” philosophy—a Create Architecture hallmark—manifests in how light filters through angled panes, how greenery softens edges, and how every communal zone balances openness with intimacy.

Above Twinkling lights cast a magical glow on the living room

Twinkling lights cast a magical glow on the living room

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Completed in July 2025 after two-and-a-half years of meticulous planning and construction, the home embodies the firm’s growing reputation for crafting spaces that are calm, clever, and deeply human.

“Despite being an adaptive reuse project, the house is designed for long-term adaptability,” Xu notes. “It allows the family to evolve within the space over generations.” As with all of Create Architecture’s work, it doesn’t clamour for attention. It simply feels right—like a deep exhalation after a long day, or the soft glow of dusk settling over a home that knows exactly who it’s for.