REWRITING NARRATIVES

Behind their embellished faces, a trio of boutique rental homes by Figment offers individualistic interpretations of shophouse living

Having lived in shophouses all his life, Mr. Fang Wei Low appreciates the soulfulness of their storied bones, and he believes there are others like him. Hence, he established Figment in June 2019, a boutique coliving company specializing in historical properties. Yet, simply providing the spaces was insufficient; Mr. Low sought provocation and engagement. In the spirit of creative exploration, he introduced Case Study Homes by Figment in March 2020, giving carte blanche to three Singaporean design studios in dressing three shophouses.

The initiative ideates from the Los Angeles Case Study Houses, designed by architects such as Eero Saarinen and Richard Neutra for Arts & Architecture magazine’s response to America’s post-war housing boom. The Lorong 24A Shophouse Series unveiled in 2012 by Mr. Low’s father, lawyer Low Seow Juan, is another precedent. The latter project saw seven local architects refashion the interiors of a row of shophouses, several of which now come under the Figment fold. We delve further into Case Study Homes’ three designs.