Home tour: An industrial modern duplex apartment in Singapore inspired by London apartments and New York lofts

Akihaus designs a Singapore duplex for a cosmopolitan couple that draws inspiration from their shared memories of London and New York

When homeowners Jon Siao and May Tan first encountered this duplex apartment in an old condominium estate in Singapore, they liked the idea of living in a two-storey unit but were hesitant about whether they could make it their dream home. So, they called upon interior designer Lawrence Puah of Akihaus to get a second opinion.

Puah visited the property and noticed its oddly planned spaces, as well as a dearth of natural ventilation and light due to the layout. “Tapping into my architectural background, I could see that there was immense potential. I did a few sketches to show them the possibilities, which got them excited,” says Puah. The couple hired him to create an abode that fulfils their desire to entertain and work from home at times. Having met in London and lived overseas in places like New York, they also wanted an aesthetic reminiscent of the old-world charm of these cosmopolitan cities.

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Above The modern industrial look of the pendant lights and the use of black metal details highlight the home’s New York loft design inspiration (Photo: Wong Wei Liang)

Above Sliding glass doors bring plenty of natural light and air into the study, which can be enclosed or opened up as needed (Photo: Wong Wei Liang)

The first step was to reconfigure the spaces. Walls around the enclosed kitchen and yard were removed to create an open kitchen. The walls of the study were also replaced with slide-fold glass doors, which helped to create an overall spacious and airy feeling in the first storey.

However, removing the walls also exposed a structural column and beam in the living and dining areas. “Thus, we created another mock column mirroring the existing column in the living room to create balance and symmetry,” says Puah of the twin columns that border the sofa. Similarly, he composed a ceiling layout with a mock beam and laid mirrored panels in between for a more symmetrical composition, and to keep the ceiling between the beams as high as possible.

Above The spiral staircase is now the showpiece of the apartment (Photo: Wong Wei Liang)

Above (Photo: Wong Wei Liang)

An existing structural element that turned out to fit the design concept perfectly was the elaborate cast-iron spiral staircase. “We managed to transform the interior such that this ornate spiral staircase not only matches the interior well, but has become a statement on its own,” says Puah.

Within the open-plan living room, Puah used various materials and fixtures to create a sense of scale and compose certain scenes. “Referencing the old-world charm of London walk-up apartments and New York lofts, the flooring of the living, dining, kitchen and study areas features patterned tiles, surrounded by a teak strip [border],” he describes.

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Photo 1 of 5 The British Racing Green hue is the signature shade of the home, applied to the walls, cabinetry and bar counter as an accent colour (Photo: Wong Wei Liang)

Photo 2 of 5 The house borrows references from the style of lofts and apartments in cosmopolitan cities where the homeowners previously resided in, London and New York (Photo: Wong Wei Liang)

Photo 3 of 5 The modern industrial look of the pendant lights and the use of black metal details highlight the home’s New York loft design inspiration (Photo: Wong Wei Liang)

Photo 4 of 5 The black Dekton kitchen countertop from Cosentino ties the look of the modern kitchen together (Photo: Wong Wei Liang)

Photo 5 of 5 The open-plan living, study and kitchen area (Photo: Wong Wei Liang)

The British Racing Green colour is applied to the kitchen cabinetry, television console and wainscoting on the columns to tie the spaces together. “The colour pays homage to the time the couple spent in London, with [streamlined] detailing as a modern interpretation of the classical mouldings you see in old-world interiors,” Puah explains. The black Dekton kitchen countertop from Cosentino helps to balance the robust shade of green.

The kitchen is an eminently functional zone that boasts plenty of storage space, yet it is also an excellent spot for entertainment purposes. “It works very much like a bar, where guests can sit and the client can host [from behind], serving drinks and canapés even as they prepare food,” says Puah. Suspended open shelving above the counter that holds liquor bottles and glassware accentuates this bar-like atmosphere, and subway tiles on the kitchen walls offer subtle allusions to the London metro and New York subway stations.

Photo 1 of 2 Shuttered doors and brushed metal handles convey a modern-classic air in the dressing room (Photo: Wong Wei Liang)

Photo 2 of 2 White brick walls and wood flooring give the office a rustic yet timeless appeal (Photo: Wong Wei Liang)

In the study, a wall of whitewashed brick tiles perpetuates the theme. “The brick tiles continue from the entrance along the dining room to the study, and up the double-volume void at the spiral staircase to lead the eye towards the upper level,” explains Puah.

Tweaks were also made to the layout of the upper floor, which is accessible via the spiral staircase. “The original master bedroom was too small, and enclosing the original family room to become the master bedroom posed a challenge as one had to go through it to get to the roof terrace,” shares Puah. The designer decided to convert the entire upper level into a master suite, and demarcated a new foyer with glass panels that lends privacy to the new master bedroom while allowing access to the other spaces.

Above The four-poster bed brings a classic touch to the master bedroom (Photo: Wong Wei Liang)

Above The subway tiles in the bathroom allude to the metro stations in London and New York (Photo: Wong Wei Liang)

In the master bedroom and walk-in wardrobe, British Racing Green accents create a cohesive look in tandem with the lower level. White wainscoting on the walls with classical moulding details, a minimalist four-poster bed and shuttered wardrobe doors with burnished gold hardware contribute to the elegant and restful mood here.

This abode does not feature the minimalist aesthetic influenced by Scandinavian and Japanese design that is so popular today, but it sports a personal touch its occupants adore. Most importantly, it welcomes in an abundance of daylight, which permeates the entire home and highlights its improved functionality.

Photo 1 of 2 The bathroom is elevated with marble textured surfaces, green tiles and black cabinetry (Photo: Wong Wei Liang)

Photo 2 of 2 A sense of loftiness is created with open-space and windows that let natural light seep in (Photo: Wong Wei Liang)

Resetting the bones of the house to enable this was paramount, Puah emphasises. “When you create conducive living spaces that feel good to the inhabitants, the aesthetics become the cherry on the cake and [everything] will naturally fall into place.”

Above Another view of the living space (Photo: Wong Wei Liang)

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Credits

Photography

Wong Wei Liang

Topics

Akihaus Duplex Home design

Tatler Asia

Home tour: A modern industrial-style duplex in Singapore with beautiful green walls