A renovated penthouse in Serangoon with Scandinavian touches

Studio Gin&G opens up the interiors of a penthouse in Serangoon, Singapore, creating cohesive and connected spaces that bond family, activities and memories

When the owners of this penthouse in Singapore’s Serangoon area approached Studio Gin&G for a simple renovation, the design studio’s founders proposed a more comprehensive reworking. This would give them what they really desired—usable areas, uncluttered details and airiness that come from connected and usable spaces.

At 2,000 sqft, the unit was not small. “However, nearly half of this was allocated to outdoor areas, which are [not so] usable in our climate,” says Georgina Foo. Most of this was on the roof terrace on the upper level, disconnected from the main living spaces. An enclosed kitchen that lacked natural daylight, and abundant built-in cabinetry that was useful but made the spaces feel pokey overall.

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Above A marble console and potted plant welcome guests just inside the front door of the penthouse

Above A carved chess set rests atop nested side tables in the living area

A marble console and potted plant welcome guests just inside the front door of the penthouse

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The clients, a middle-aged couple with three adult children, wanted “a light, bright and airy space that is simple, comfortable and able to accommodate their collection of Danish furniture pieces gathered over the years,” says the architect who started the design studio with fellow university mate, Genevieve Ang, in 2022. Intimate family dinners and gatherings with the extended family “centred around shared meals and cookouts,” making the kitchen a vital point of design.

Above The dry kitchen's Fiore di Pesco marble island anchors the heart of the penthouse

The dry kitchen's Fiore di Pesco marble island anchors the heart of the penthouse

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Connecting Spaces

Some nip-tuck helped to “unlock the full potential of penthouse living,” says Foo. The wall between kitchen and common indoor areas was removed and replaced with an island counter, instantly changing the dynamics between meal prepping, cooking and socialising. It also made the overall penthouse feel more capacious.

“Designed to support light, everyday cooking, this space houses an under-counter oven, an induction hob with a concealed downdraft hood and sink, which allows it to function as a fully usable kitchen while remaining visually calm and unobtrusive within the home,” says Foo. At the rear, a display surface neatly integrates the door to the wet kitchen.

Above A close-up of the marble island reveals its dynamic, flowing veining

Above Personal mementoes line the open shelving above the wet kitchen counter

A close-up of the marble island reveals its dynamic, flowing veining

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Above The marble island opens onto the dining and living areas beyond, unifying the penthouse's social spaces

The marble island opens onto the dining and living areas beyond, unifying the penthouse's social spaces

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Along this plane, the entrance and dry kitchen were wrapped with light Oak timber veneer, and the ceilings lowered to hide service routing. This zone is now differentiated from the dining and living area’s white-painted walls and higher ceiling, helping to enhance “the perception of height and volume as one moves through the space,” says Foo.

Above The marble island frames a glimpse into the dining area, softly lit by paper pendant lamps

Above Oak millwork and a slender floor vase mark the transition between entrance and living spaces

The marble island frames a glimpse into the dining area, softly lit by paper pendant lamps

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Enabling Tropical Living

As for the large open roof terrace that was formerly bare and covered with a corrugated roof that trapped heat, the architects turned it into a comfortable gathering space where heavier cooking could be done with an open kitchen. “The roof terrace becomes a natural backdrop for hosting, where meals stretch into the evening against views of the horizon,” says Foo.

A higher ceiling as well as proper insulation for heat reduction made it more comfortable during the day. Peripheral cove lights and ambient illumination concealed within I-beams make this an inviting part of the home. Cherished pieces from the clients’ previous home like a Birdie pendant from Foscarini gives a personal touch to this sheltered outdoor area.

Above The once-bare roof terrace now houses a comfortable outdoor kitchen and dining area for the Serangoon penthouse's extended family gatherings

The once-bare roof terrace now houses a comfortable outdoor kitchen and dining area for the Serangoon penthouse's extended family gatherings

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“We also assisted in refurbishing several of their treasured furniture pieces, working with restorers to sand and refresh worn timber chairs, and reupholster armchairs in outdoor-friendly fabrics,” says Foo. Thoughtfulness is evidenced in the collaboration with a local glass supplier to recreate an original white-painted, acid-etched glass top but in a larger size to suit the roof terrace’s proportions.

Above The family's dachshund settles into a woven lounge chair beneath the television console

The family's dachshund settles into a woven lounge chair beneath the television console

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Scandinavian Touches

In all parts of the home, tactility and texture were considered in the material choices, resulting in sandblasted timber, timber with variations in grain direction, and soft furniture fabric upholstery and bedroom wall coverings, composed with walnut timber furniture pieces from Carl Hansen & Son, Svoky Design and Vitra.

Within this Scandinavian-style foil, the dry kitchen island’s Fiore di Pesco marble’s dynamic veins that flow in varied directions become a differentiating element. “While the clients initially leaned towards a restrained palette, we introduced them to the potential of more expressive natural stone during a visit to the stone yard. This led to a gradual openness towards incorporating the Fiore di Pesco marble—now a key accent in the living room and dry kitchen, anchoring the main communal spaces within the home,” says Foo, appreciative for trusting clients.

Above Sheer curtains soften the light across the open-plan living, dining and kitchen spaces

Sheer curtains soften the light across the open-plan living, dining and kitchen spaces

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The master bedroom feels serene too, with full-height wall panelling and finishes used in continued surfaces to “visually elongate the space and enhance the sense of height.” Foo adds, “Behind the bedhead, rounded MDF mouldings were crafted and wrapped in a fabric wall covering, adding a layer of softness and tactility while maintaining a clean, cohesive look.”

Other changes make the penthouse more liveable, such as replacing the original bathtub in the master bathroom with a larger shower area and an integrated bench.

Above Light oak panelling wraps the entrance, concealing a doorway through to the ensuite

Light oak panelling wraps the entrance, concealing a doorway through to the ensuite

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Above Full-height panelling and soft upholstery lend the master bedroom a serene, elongated feel

Full-height panelling and soft upholstery lend the master bedroom a serene, elongated feel

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Foo shares that the husband’s retirement during the construction phase made the renovation timely. “It gave him the chance to spend more time at home and ease into a slower pace of daily life in the space. We often joked that he became our “project manager” during that period, as he was very involved and engaged throughout,” Foo muses.

Foo is delighted at the family’s feedback, and how the changes have meaningful, tangible effects. She shares, “The shared spaces are used often, especially the dry kitchen, where their eldest son enjoys light cooking. On weekends, he’ll sometimes make simple, comforting meals like pasta, and the family gathers around the island to eat together.”