Cover Ken Wong and Emma Yii, the husband-and-wife duo behind Urban Home Design, transformed their own Woodlands apartment into an airy retreat
Ken Wong and Emma Yii, the husband-and-wife duo behind Urban Home Design, transformed their own Woodlands apartment into an airy retreat
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Guided by Japanese-Scandinavian restraint, the founders of Urban Home Design transformed their own apartment into an airy retreat underpinned by form, function and sustainability
To some homeowners, space feels like a luxury. To Ken Wong and Emma Yii, the husband-and-wife duo behind Urban Home Design, it’s both a challenge and a canvas.
When the pair decided to renovate their own 1,356 sq ft, four-bedroom apartment in Woodlands, they found themselves facing the very design conundrums they often solve for clients: a small living room, a clunky loft that stole precious headroom, and a staircase that boxed everything in.
“The original living room was extremely small, and the existing loft made the space feel even more cramped and oppressive,” recalls Wong, the firm’s design director. “The placement of the loft staircase further reduced the available space in the living room. We put a lot of thought and effort into reimagining the space planning to overcome these limitations.”
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Above This floating staircase leads to the cosy loft area
This floating staircase leads to the cosy loft area
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Their goal, he says, was to create a more open, comfortable and light-filled home, while ensuring it remained true to their needs and preferences. The entire transformation took three months, and the results speak volumes about the firm’s design philosophy: thoughtful, functional, and timeless.
Above Large swathes of wooden panelling conceal plenty of storage space in the children’s bedroom
Large swathes of wooden panelling conceal plenty of storage space in the children’s bedroom
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The couple drew inspiration from Japanese and Scandinavian design principles, embracing the ethos of slow living, simplicity, comfort and well-being. They wanted a space that encourages calm, one that feels like it is breathing with its occupants. “Natural elements like cement-textured floor tiles, travertine stone and wood-feel laminates were carefully chosen to enhance that sense of warmth and tranquillity,” explains Wong.
Heart of the home
Above This delightfully breezy zone features a large customised bookshelf, which is the centrepiece of the home
This delightfully breezy zone features a large customised bookshelf, which is the centrepiece of the home
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One of their unit’s most inspired features is what used to be Bedroom 3, now redefined as a flexible dining and reading area. The wall was removed to open up the space, while a custom-built bookshelf became its visual anchor.
“Transforming Bedroom 3 was the most enjoyable part,” Wong shares. “It not only fosters our family’s love of reading, but also allowed us to creatively express my background in steel drafting through wooden beams styled after structural connections.”
Above The liberal application of pale wood gives the home a calming, minimalist Nordic feel
The liberal application of pale wood gives the home a calming, minimalist Nordic feel
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This multifunctional space, he notes, embodies their values. “In today’s digital age, we wanted to create a room that celebrates human connection and the tactile joy of reading,” he says. “This area can house around 20 people, such as friends, family and book lovers, encouraging connections among people and stories.”
Sunlight pours in, bouncing off muted tones and textures. “We paid special attention to the lighting,” Wong adds. “Large windows and open layouts were introduced to maximise natural light, creating a brighter and more inviting atmosphere. This also supports sustainability by reducing reliance on artificial lighting.”
Mindful materials, lasting impact
Above A pure white ceiling and walls meet sandy tones to give the airy master bedroom an easygoing vibe
A pure white ceiling and walls meet sandy tones to give the airy master bedroom an easygoing vibe
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In fact, sustainability runs deep in the firm’s design DNA. Urban Home Design makes conscious material choices, which are a rarity in an industry that is still grappling with the environmental impact of renovations.
“The toxicity of formaldehyde poses a significant issue in the industry,” says Wong. “We address this by using low-formaldehyde plywood and eco-friendly adhesives in our carpentry, as well as environmentally friendly paints from Dulux.”
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Above The timber-clad kitchen features a durable stone backsplash in a matching shade
The timber-clad kitchen features a durable stone backsplash in a matching shade
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He adds that the firm also encourages its clients to choose eco-friendly materials. “We always advise opting for recycled fabrics or laminates with green labels. Promoting environmentally friendly products enhances the overall quality of life for end-users.”
The result is a home that feels at once intimate and expansive, and understated yet deeply personal. Every beam, shelf and material choice tells a story: of craft, conscience, and the beauty of living intentionally.
Urban Home Design
Above Emma Yii of Urban Home Design
Above Ken Wong of Urban Home Design
Emma Yii of Urban Home Design
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Founded in 2018, Urban Home Design is a boutique interior design firm led by design director Ken Wong and executive director Emma Yii. With a team of 34 designers, the firm undertakes diverse residential and commercial projects, crafting timeless, functional spaces that reflect each client’s lifestyle while redefining Singapore’s interior design standards.
100E Pasir Panjang Road, #01-02 B&D Building, Tel: 8787 4321, urbanhomedesign.com.sg
Credits
Images: Urban Home Design
