Cover Steps rise through the bungalow’s lush central courtyard, flanked by textured stone walls and dense planting that soften the architecture
Steps rise through the bungalow’s lush central courtyard, flanked by textured stone walls and dense planting that soften the architecture
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Designworx Interior Consultant crafts a layered, opulent bungalow for a family who have spent their career defining luxury for the world’s most coveted brands
Within The Walls House did not arrive as a blank canvas. Designed by Park + Associates and completed in 2022, the 19,802 sq ft six-bedroom bungalow in District 13 was already a considered piece of work: a two-storey envelope control bungalow with basement and attic, built around a verdant central courtyard framed by full-height glazing on every level.
When the current owners purchased it at the end of 2024, the architecture needed no rethinking. What they wanted was an interior life that matched their own.That they turned to Designworx Interior Consultant was no surprise. The firm had already designed a previous home for the family, and the experience had left a strong impression. Given who they are, that is no small endorsement.
In case you missed it: How Designworx Interior Consultant turned a Bukit Timah bungalow’s attic into a private wellness retreat
Above Designworx Interior Consultant transforms the interior of Within The Walls House, a striking, verdant bungalow designed by Park + Associates in District 13
Designworx Interior Consultant transforms the interior of Within The Walls House, a striking, verdant bungalow designed by Park + Associates in District 13
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Above A bird’s-eye view of the bungalow reveals how Designworx Interior Consultant’s furniture and finishes transition seamlessly from the lush courtyard greenery into the well-appointed living spaces beyond
Above The bungalow’s formal living room centres on a Minotti Goodman semi-circular sofa, with the existing marble and timber partition retained as a considered backdrop
A bird’s-eye view of the bungalow reveals how Designworx Interior Consultant’s furniture and finishes transition seamlessly from the lush courtyard greenery into the well-appointed living spaces beyond
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The bungalow’s homeowner is the founder of Grandwork Interior, the firm responsible for fitting out the Singapore outposts of Cartier, Dior, Gucci and the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Lounge.
“This is a high bar,” acknowledges Terri Tan, founder of Designworx, “given that they are in the business of custom fitting out interiors of luxury brands.” It is the kind of brief that sharpens the mind considerably.
Above The mezzanine patio offers an intimate outdoor sitting area with Dedon furniture
The mezzanine patio offers an intimate outdoor sitting area with Dedon furniture
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First Impressions
The experience of Within The Walls House begins before one reaches the front door. Arriving via the basement carpark, guests are received by a garage capacious enough for eight cars, its walls reimagined as a considered introduction to what lies above.
“Inspired by the batcave,” shares Tan, the team transformed the bungalow’s entrance with a new wall treatment that sets the tone for the arrival sequence. Discrete handrails were added for the grandparents, a concealed shoe room carved out for garage access, and the helpers’ quarters tucked behind a hidden door beside the lift.
Above The verdant central courtyard, framed by full-height glazing across all levels, forms the beating heart of the bungalow named Within The Walls House
The verdant central courtyard, framed by full-height glazing across all levels, forms the beating heart of the bungalow named Within The Walls House
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Above One of four corridor treatments where shafts of natural light cast dramatic shadow play across the considered wall panelling.
Above The main staircase ascends through a curtain of slender gold balusters, with a luminous gold artwork anchoring the landing above
One of four corridor treatments where shafts of natural light cast dramatic shadow play across the considered wall panelling.
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Crossing the bungalow’s entrance threshold, the courtyard opens up with immediate generosity: lush greenery, steps rising to the first-level patio, and full-height sliding windows climbing through every floor to the attic above. The staircase rises under the soft cascade of a Lodes Rain chandelier.
On the first level, an existing scalloped solid timber feature wall forms a warm backdrop to a Fendi sofa set, while the formal living room beyond is furnished with a Minotti Goodman semi-circular sofa, armchairs from Liu Jo and Minotti Drake coffee tables dressed with a Baccarat Eye crystal vase.
Above The informal living area’s existing full-height scalloped timber feature wall forms a rich, warm backdrop to the Fendi Casa sofa set
The informal living area’s existing full-height scalloped timber feature wall forms a rich, warm backdrop to the Fendi Casa sofa set
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In the dining room, a bespoke Nebula Blue marble table seats 12 people beneath Mito Cosmo Move pendant lights. “I was particularly delighted with the wall treatment variations of the four long corridors,” explains Tan. In a house of this scale, the spaces in between matter as much as the rooms themselves.
Above A Baccarat Eye crystal vase catches the light atop a Minotti Drake marble coffee table in the formal living room
Above A sculptural bronze figurine occupies a marble-lined display niche carved into the master suite's bespoke wardrobe wall
A Baccarat Eye crystal vase catches the light atop a Minotti Drake marble coffee table in the formal living room
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Above The dry kitchen’s dining area opens directly to the pool, with bespoke display cabinetry and circular pendant lights overhead
The dry kitchen’s dining area opens directly to the pool, with bespoke display cabinetry and circular pendant lights overhead
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Room to Play
The bungalow’s second level is where this abode becomes more personal. Designworx worked closely with the client’s adult children on their individual rooms, producing two strikingly different results. The son’s bedroom is dark and warm, anchored by a Cierre leather sofa and a timber feature wall evoking woven fabric. The daughter’s room is its counterpoint: dusty pink, soft-curved, with a Clip sofa from Ditre Italia and Dior accents that feel entirely her own.
Above The daughter’s bedroom wraps its soft-arched headboard wall in warm blush tones, with a curved sofa and Dior toile accents completing the feminine palette
The daughter’s bedroom wraps its soft-arched headboard wall in warm blush tones, with a curved sofa and Dior toile accents completing the feminine palette
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Above Christian Dior accents, from the toile de jouy bed runner to the cushions, give the daughter's bedroom its unmistakably personal character
Above The daughter's bedroom features a bespoke backlit TV wall with personalised display shelving
Christian Dior accents, from the toile de jouy bed runner to the cushions, give the daughter's bedroom its unmistakably personal character
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The gaming and flight simulator room is the most technically ambitious space in the house. Designed around a Roche Bobois Bubble sofa, it accommodates three zones: flight simulation, television gaming, and PC gaming. The centrepiece TV wall, faceted with panels at varying angles, pushed the limits of what carpenters could execute from drawings alone.
Above The son's bedroom pairs a woven timber feature wall with a dark, enveloping palette and a built-in study nook
Above The son’s moody bedroom pairs a woven timber feature wall with a dark, enveloping palette and a Cierre leather sofa
The son's bedroom pairs a woven timber feature wall with a dark, enveloping palette and a built-in study nook
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Above The bungalow’s gaming and flight simulator room organises three distinct zones around a Roche Bobois Bubble sofa
The bungalow’s gaming and flight simulator room organises three distinct zones around a Roche Bobois Bubble sofa
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“We tried using 3D printing to help them understand our design intent,” says Tan, “and we are truly amazed by their ability to comprehend the 2D drawings to create the outcome we intended.” It is a space that rewards its brief precisely because it was taken so seriously. “While we are honoured and privileged to design such a big house, it is the details that matter more to me,” she elaborates.
A World Apart
The entire attic floor belongs to the homeowners alone. A master suite of genuine hotel ambition, it comprises a boutique-style walk-in wardrobe and lounge, a sleeping area, and a spa bathroom that most wellness retreats would envy.
Above The bedroom opens through a pair of illuminated marble-flanked doors to the pool terrace
The bedroom opens through a pair of illuminated marble-flanked doors to the pool terrace
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Rather than let the wardrobe feel like mere circulation, the design team anchored it with a lounge: Fendi Casa Annabelle swivel armchairs and a Minotti Torii Bold curved sofa on a Minotti Dibbets Rainbow rug, gathered around a bespoke island. A Patagonia Tourmaline marble feature wall punctuated by display niches breaks the long run of wardrobes with quiet drama.
Above The master bedroom pairs two Visionnaire queen-size beds against an exotic burl wood timber feature wall, with an Eames lounge chair positioned by the window
The master bedroom pairs two Visionnaire queen-size beds against an exotic burl wood timber feature wall, with an Eames lounge chair positioned by the window
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The sleeping area is anchored by two Visionnaire queen-size beds flanked by Crystal Brick Aura Traveller table lamps by André Fu, set against an exotic burl wood timber feature wall. “Together, they reflect the homeowners’ wish for an elegant yet comfortable sanctuary to retreat into at the end of the day,” says Tan. The master bathroom completes the picture: a steam room, a sauna and a sunken bath looking out to an enclosed landscaped garden.
Above The verdant view from the bungalow’s master bathroom
The verdant view from the bungalow’s master bathroom
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“The unsung hero of this project is Grandwork Interior’s team,” says Tan. “Their attention to detail is most commendable. It was a joy working with them to turn our vision into the homeowners’ dream home.” That the contractor is the homeowner’s own firm makes the compliment all the more resonant. Here, the highest standards were not imposed from the outside. They were already home.
Above The bungalow’s boutique-style walk-in wardrobe lounge centres on a bespoke island, with Fendi Casa Annabelle swivel armchairs and a Patagonia Tourmaline marble feature wall
The bungalow’s boutique-style walk-in wardrobe lounge centres on a bespoke island, with Fendi Casa Annabelle swivel armchairs and a Patagonia Tourmaline marble feature wall
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Credits
Photography: MarcusL Photography
Topics
Jakarta-born, Bandung-raised and Singapore-based, Asih Jenie trained in Visual Communication Design at Bandung Institute of Technology and Architecture at Parahyangan Catholic University. She brings both rigour and heart to design journalism, infused with a distinct Southeast Asian voice.
As a child, she doodled on the edges of her schoolbooks and never outgrew her fascination with all things well-made and well-told. Her 15-year career spans editorial roles and bylines in Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Australia, across spatial design titles such as Dwell Asia, Cubes, Design Anthology, Habitus Living, and Home & Decor.
After a brief stint in public relations, she returned to publishing in 2023 to lead Tatler Homes Singapore, where she continues to tell stories about how we shape the spaces that shape us.
