Cover Empowered by creative freedom and a bold design ethos, Spacebar Design crafts a tactile sanctuary in Singapore’s East Coast that fuses architectural clarity with personal storytelling
Empowered by creative freedom and a bold design ethos, Spacebar Design crafts a tactile sanctuary in Singapore’s East Coast that fuses architectural clarity with personal storytelling
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Empowered by creative freedom and a bold design ethos, Spacebar Design crafts a tactile sanctuary in East Coast that fuses architectural clarity with personal storytelling
This 1,800 sq ft, two-bedroom apartment located in a private development in Singapore’s East Coast area is a bold departure from conventional structure. Designed by Jayelle Choo, co-founder of Spacebar Design, the full-overhaul project rejects conformity in favour of emotional resonance and spatial poetry.
When the client—a lighting entrepreneur and long-time friend of Choo—approached her with an open brief, the stage was set for something special. It laid the groundwork for a dynamic and collaborative journey, allowing for a design process that was at once fluid and intentional.
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Above Inspired by Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Pavilion, the stylish living room of the East Coast apartment features iconic pieces by architectural greats such as the Knoll Wassily chair by Marcel Breuer, alongside statement designs by local talents, such as the Boba Chain pendant
Inspired by Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Pavilion, the stylish living room of the East Coast apartment features iconic pieces by architectural greats such as the Knoll Wassily chair by Marcel Breuer, alongside statement designs by local talents, such as the Boba Chain pendant
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Above The Knoll Wassily chair by Marcel Breuer
Above Choo is proudest of the expansive social zone that unites the East Coast apartment’s living, dining and kitchen areas
The Knoll Wassily chair by Marcel Breuer
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The homeowner had desired an abode that feels calm but not flat, and is expressive but not overdone—a canvas on which the play of materiality would tell a quiet, confident story. “The brief pretty much gave me free rein,” recalls the designer. “It was [an invitation] to push the boundaries, to explore bold ideas, and to let the space tell a story that felt both personal and unexpected.”
Above The glass bricks amplify the natural light indoors
Above The lighting by Sol Luminaire was designed to be subtle yet deliberate
The glass bricks amplify the natural light indoors
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Choo began with a blank slate; the existing walls had all been removed, offering complete freedom to reimagine the layout of the East Coast apartment. Her goal was clear: to preserve a sense of openness and connection throughout the home. “It was important to me that the design encouraged a natural flow—both in movement and in how the spaces relate to one another,” she elaborates.
From there, the creative process centred on layering functionality. Choo orchestrated smart zoning, considered sightlines, and studied how the light would shift throughout the course of the day. In line with her design ethos—that “every space should have a bold gesture with a personal story to tell”—every decision, from the selection of the materials to the spatial transitions, was calibrated to preserve a fluid sense of movement while simultaneously giving each zone its own distinctive character.
Above Choo orchestrated smart zoning, considered sightlines, and studied how the light would shift throughout the course of the day
Choo orchestrated smart zoning, considered sightlines, and studied how the light would shift throughout the course of the day
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Above An organic-shaped mirror, Boba Chain pendant from Sol Luminaire and marble tabletop bring a sleek, contemporary edge to the study corner
Above This dark-stained outdoor dining set cuts a striking image against the East Coast skyline
An organic-shaped mirror, Boba Chain pendant from Sol Luminaire and marble tabletop bring a sleek, contemporary edge to the study corner
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A key inspiration for the project was Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Pavilion, particularly his masterful use of a restrained yet impactful material palette to define space. That balance of simplicity and boldness deeply resonated with Choo, who sought to bring the same clarity into the home by curating a few standout elements and allowing them to take centre stage.
The result is poetic yet practical—balancing lightness with mass, texture with refinement. Glass bricks by Ornate+ separate the entryway from the kitchen without breaking visual continuity, while a bookmatched marble island, resting on a luminous base of the same glass blocks, anchors the kitchen like a sleek centrepiece.
Above Everything was calibrated to preserve a fluid sense of movement
Above Bold bookmatched marble recurs throughout the abode
Everything was calibrated to preserve a fluid sense of movement
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Above The homeowner had desired an abode that feels calm but not flat
The homeowner had desired an abode that feels calm but not flat
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Walls are clad in wood-stamped plaster by MrPCI, creating rhythm and warmth along the home’s longest axis. Bold bookmatched marble recurs throughout the abode—on the TV console and the master bathroom vanity—establishing a confident, cohesive narrative. Dark wood floors and panelling ground the aesthetic in richness and calm.
Above A marble island, resting on a luminous base of the same glass blocks, anchors the kitchen like a sleek centrepiece
Above Subtly lit glass bricks from Ornate+ provide a gentle transition between two timber finishes
A marble island, resting on a luminous base of the same glass blocks, anchors the kitchen like a sleek centrepiece
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The apartment’s furnishings read like curated statements, each one underscored by bespoke craftsmanship. In the living room, the iconic Wassily Chair by Knoll introduces Bauhaus flair, its sharp lines balanced by the grounded weight of a Mario Tsai Press table. Made from salvaged timber, custom pieces by Viewport Studio in collaboration with IndustryPlus—including the dining table, island bar stools, and dresser chair—stand out for their organic texture and reinforce the project’s commitment to sustainability.
Lighting and art were carefully selected to emphasise the abode’s rich materiality and atmospheric tone. Fixtures were thoughtfully integrated—recessed, concealed, or used as sculptural accents—to enhance smooth transitions and architectural lines.
Above The Boba Chain pendant from Sol Luminaire can be seen throughout the apartment
Above The same pendant light coexists harmoniously with a sculptural cat bed placed atop the bay windowsill
The Boba Chain pendant from Sol Luminaire can be seen throughout the apartment
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Much like in the Pavilion, the lighting was designed to be subtle yet deliberate, shaping the atmosphere without overwhelming it. “[Lighting] is the final layer that breathes life into the architecture and reveals the soul of the design,” says Choo.
In the living room, the Boba Chain pendant from Sol Luminaire introduces an unexpected layer of tactility and intrigue. Positioned to one side of the TV console, its steel chain and rounded luminaires lend a soft industrial edge that complements the surrounding finishes. Another appears in the master bedroom, gently illuminating the bay window nook and adding warmth to the corner seating area.
Above The handsomely styled kitchen is the resident tuxedo cat’s favourite hangout
The handsomely styled kitchen is the resident tuxedo cat’s favourite hangout
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Above Glass bricks by Ornate+ adds texture to the apartment
Glass bricks by Ornate+ adds texture to the apartment
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The kitchen is anchored by the Mazha 5.2 lighting system by Mario Tsai—a clean, sculptural piece suspended above the dramatic marble island and glass-brick base. It brings an understated authority to the space, defining the open layout with precision and elegance.
Above The master bedroom features an elevated bed platform and Mario Tsai’s Grid light, which reinforces the room’s linear aesthetic
The master bedroom features an elevated bed platform and Mario Tsai’s Grid light, which reinforces the room’s linear aesthetic
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In the East Coast apartment’s master bedroom, Tsai’s Grid light is mounted on a dark-veneer wall, offering a soft, diffused glow that creates depth. Its linear geometry echoes the home’s architectural rhythm, maintaining a refined presence and ensuring spatial harmony.
Above This moody wardrobe conceals a structural column that once obstructed the openness of the layout
Above Mario Tsai’s Pagoda lights add visual interest to the mirrored surfaces in this space
This moody wardrobe conceals a structural column that once obstructed the openness of the layout
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Every project features its own curveballs, and for Choo, it was a misplaced structural column that disrupted the openness of the layout. Her solution? To conceal it within a bespoke walk-in wardrobe—an elegant workaround that turned constraint into an opportunity. “It’s one of those quiet design moves that adds to the overall cohesion without drawing attention to itself,” she says.
Above The apartment’s furnishings read like curated statements
Above Glass bricks meet greige-toned timber in the entrance
The apartment’s furnishings read like curated statements
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Above The apartment’s furnishings read like curated statements
Above Tsai’s Grid light is mounted on a dark-veneer wall
The apartment’s furnishings read like curated statements
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Reflecting on the finished East Coast project, Choo is proudest of the expansive social zone that unites the apartment’s living, dining and kitchen areas into one seamless experience. It is a deeply personal space for the homeowner and the three pet cats, where everyday rituals meet meaningful connection.
Completed in January 2025 after a nine-month transformation, this residence embodies quiet confidence—where the homeowner’s story unfolds not in grand gestures, but in nuanced layers of measured design.
Credits
Images: Human + Space
