Home Tour: A Nordic-inspired Bungalow With Opulent Decor Details

This Nordic-inspired home's stunning details include a "sky bridge" and a dramatic double volume master bedroom clad almost entirely in wood

All images courtesy of Renaissance Planners & Designers

With its quadrilateral roof and stark lines, this modern abode instantly stands out among its more conventional neighbours along Crescent Road.

The homeowners, a married couple who work in the finance industry, had first approached Kelvin Bing of Renaissance Planners & Designers to build and integrate a swimming pool into their previous home. “The homeowner had originally wanted to extend his original bungalow house with a new pool area, but I said it wasn’t possible because of building restrictions,” explains the project and design director. The client had discovered the design director’s work on the internet and loved what he had done—so much so that he again contacted Bing a year later about a new unit he had purchased.

The open plan living area is connected by a "sky bridge" which offers a unique insight into the space below

Situated on a rectangular plot of land that measures around 10,000sqft, the site offered the opportunity to build a brand new home for the family of four, as well as the pool extension that the owner had originally desired. Besides wanting an abode that looks timeless and contemporary, he also wished to have a large entertainment area where friends and family could gather, as well as a spacious garage that’s able to house multiple cars for guests.

“The owner simply said, ‘I leave everything to you.’ My client entrusted me with his home, and gave me free rein to design the architecture and the rest of the interiors as I wished—as if I were to treat his abode as the site of my own dream home,” explains Bing.

Nordic Inspiration

A project that took three years to complete, the bungalow was designed with a “very luxurious, open-plan concept that links the outdoors with the indoors”. For architectural inspiration, Bing looked to the Scandinavian masters of Nordic modernism, which embraces straight angles and Brutalist-inspired minimalist forms. The bungalow features a distinctive pentagonal silhouette; its roof extends out to create a cantilevered porch that adds to the light, airy and open feel of the space while staying true to its angular proportions. Greenery lines the entrance as well as the terrace of the home, acting as a counterpoint to the sharp angles of the exterior.

Urban Oasis

To cater to the owner’s requirements for a large garage and entertainment area, Bing devoted the entire ground floor to these facilities. Upon entry to the home, you’ll see a pool table at the foyer, where guests can mingle and play a game of billiards. Next to the table, the walnut wall opens up to reveal shelves for shoes. For the full cinematic experience, the adjacent audiovisual room houses a wide projector screen and a Heco sound system to keep both cinephiles and gamers entertained. The 30m lap pool runs alongside the living area to the dining section on the second floor, adding a serene touch to the modern abode.

Curated Collection

The home’s colour scheme is dominated by earthy shades and neutral tones, with rugs and upholstery in earthy shades add a cosy element, while also offering an added layer of privacy to the bedrooms and glass-walled areas of the home. The couple also kept most of the furniture from their previous home—primarily pieces from Italian brands such as Minotti, Flexform, Maxalto and Poliform—as well as iconic designs such as the Eames lounge chair and ottoman. To complement the owner’s previous purchases, a few pieces, such as the leather sofa in the living area, were acquired from Space Furniture during sourcing trips with the homeowner.

Modern Sanctuary

In lieu of dramatic statement pieces or gilded finishes, the design director played with rich textures and tones to bring luxurious warmth to the home. On the ground floor and second storey, the use of black marble flooring elevates the opulent feel of the bungalow. In the dining and dry kitchen area, the two Flos chandeliers are the home’s most striking lighting pieces—everything else is kept to a decorative minimum. A lean and light staircase leads up to the third floor, which is fitted with seven bedrooms including the master bedroom.

Lofty Heights

Extra care has been given to the master bedroom—a dramatic double-volume space that’s clad almost entirely in wood, from the walls and flooring to the ceiling and cabinetry. Bing picked out beige cotton curtains with a velvet-like finish, specially made and imported from Paris to fit the unusual dimensions of this bedroom. This room also features a balcony, which offers views of the courtyard and terrace on the second floor.

This article was adapted from Singapore Tatler Homes June-July 2017.