Angela Lim, principal designer of interior design firm SuMisura adds that especially in the case of big units such as villas and penthouses, a show unit helps buyers better visualise how the space can be utilised meaningfully.

“Certain unit types may have sold out and developers may wish to showcase another unit type to enhance sales. Shift in market trends or target market may also encourage developers to refresh the look to stay relevant,” adds Lim.

“Interior designers may be roped in to upgrade the initial developer’s provisions or offerings in terms of finishes as part of their marketing strategy to increase price as they continue with their sales of more premium units on higher floors,” she says. It is also common for developers to employ different interior designers to do up different show units to add variety.

Since the pandemic started, however, there has been a spike in the redesign of these units in situ—as in done within the development, according to Selwyn Low, director of local architecture and design firm Farm. “The trend of developers fitting out actual units in their development emerges from the evolving needs of buyers and homeowners amidst the pandemic. This is due to the increasing demand for move-in-ready units,” says Low.

Sun agrees with Low on the preference for fully fitted out apartments as travel and other safety restrictions hamper the ease for buyers to do their own renovations. “They may find it more troublesome to source for their own designers, contractors and shop around for furniture. Lack of manpower may also cause renovation delays,” she adds.

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There is no denying the appeal of a well-though-through show unit, but the need to tag that “wow”-factor with design that speaks to the times is what seems to be driving this trend. The need to help buyers visualise how they might be able to use and transform their living spaces in tune with the changing needs of the post-pandemic home, as Low says.

Dora Chng, general manager (Residential) of GuocoLand, agrees that while it is not uncommon for developers to refresh the look of their show units after about one and a half to two years from launch, the recent modifications the developer has done have been particularly attuned to the demands of the new normal.

GuocoLand’s recently redesign of its Midtown Bay show units development was in response to that demand. “Before the pandemic, Midtown Bay (it was launched in 2019) was already positioned within a business home concept, but the pandemic has fuelled demand from buyers and investors for homes they can work from or operate a home office. The show unit redesign aimed to demonstrate how a professional office environment could be realised in a residential unit,” she explains.

Designer Peter Tay of Peter Tay Studio, who worked on the project says, “the redesign is timely as home buyers are increasingly demanding spaces to work from home. Such show unit redesigns are important to keep spaces fresh and reinforce spatial concepts to potential home buyers”.

Aside from introducing specific design elements to accommodate the work-from-home trend, designers and developers have had to project a space that allows a smooth transition from work to life—without one impinging on the other. Low and Lim’s firms have been engaged in similar remodifications to accommodate the home trends that the pandemic has put forth.

While showcasing designated work areas in bedrooms, balconies and household shelters are becoming the norm, convertible and multifunctional spaces are setting the stage where space is a constraint. For instance, SuMisura has in some of its recent redesign projects incorporated flip-down tabletops at the foot of beds to double up as workspaces—users can then stow their things away neatly at the end of the day or after their Zoom meetings.

On the same count, the redesigns are catered to foreign buyers who are used to different layouts, says Lim. “Some foreign buyers may be used to larger spaces in their home countries or may be used to having a nanny’s room or having one huge kitchen instead of wet and dry kitchens—so some redesigns have also helped project how two, two-bedroom units can be merged and made into a comprehensive whole.”

Then, there is the “the need for the interior design to reflect a space of calmness and introspection while being surrounded by the city”, says Low.

“With changing perceptions of the ideal home, there has been a greater focus on personal wellbeing and the ability to adapt, convert and customise spaces to individual needs. This manifests in how we design to cater for change, as well as for various lifestyles. In the past, socialising and displaying wealth were important features of the home. Now, more attention is placed on personal spaces, versatile workspaces, closeness to nature and a heightened sense of intimacy,” says Low.

In the wake of this new-found emphasis, Farm, which redesigned a four-bedroom show unit at GuocoLand’s Wallich Residence, has had to balance the needs of the hour with the development’s purported luxury aesthetic. “One challenge was to differentiate the product from the typical polished masculine aesthetic of luxury show flats in a time where luxury means championing wellness and paring down to essentials,” adds Low.

Such a quandary possibly hints on a bold trend—but will this be for the long-term is the question. While developers are reaping the benefits of their design to redesign their show units, the jury is still out as to whether it is a trend that is here to stay. One consideration being that while buyers are largely positive about the move-in ready concept, there may also be buyers who would prefer to do their own modifications to suit their personal style, says Tan.

Sun is less optimistic. She feels that as much as there is demand for such services, it may not gain significant traction and developers may prefer to leave the renovation to the buyers. This is because of the higher costs involved and the need to factor in renovation time before it goes for sale. “New sales and legal documents have to be provided to take into account these additional works, which can take more time and cost,” she says.

Add to that, as what Tan mentioned, not all buyers may appreciate the renovations made, and may not find that the modifications justify the higher price points. So, as with trends and all things associated with the pandemic, only time will tell if their impact will continue to be felt in the years to come.

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