Restored Grandeur

A TIMEWORN BUNGALOW GETS A NEW LEASE OF LIFE, THROUGH A DRAMATIC TRANSFORMATION LED BY INTERIOR DESIGN FIRM THE PLUSH

With its elegant rows of floor-to-ceiling windows, this two-storey bungalow at Tanglin Hill looks spacious and grand; a world away from how it used to look three years ago. Its transformation is even more remarkable considering that it was achieved without extensive changes to the aged building’s original architecture. Completed in October 2016, this 15,000 sqft bungalow was refurbished by interior design firm The Plush, as an A&A (Additions and Alteration works) project. The client wished to rent out the bungalow and wanted to get the most out of their renovation budget by preserving its original architecture, while improving the building layout and design. “The homeowners wanted to improve the outdated look of the house, however, they were unsure of what to do to make it better without having to resort to major structural change,” shares Evelina Hu, director of The Plush. “They met several other designers and architects but were not satisfied with their proposed designs.” Two years after their first consultation, they turned to The Plush for help. By rejuvenating the building facade and some savvy space planning, Hu and the chief designer of The Plush, Alvin Felipe, were determined to meet all of the client’s requirements.

A GRAND ENTRANCE

To impress potential tenants, the project focused on improving the look of the bungalow’s front-facing entrance and, subsequently, the overall impression that the 35,000 sqft estate would give residents and guests. This was achieved through what Hu calls a “modern classic” look; a timeless and stately style that will stand the test of time, compared to the building’s previous design. “We wanted the entrance and entry area to create an amazing impact while keeping most of the original architecture intact,” she says. The home had initially appeared dark and gloomy due to its outmoded layout. The building’s covered walkway and single-storey foyer blocked out much of the natural light and had also affected the ventilation within the residence. So the project’s biggest alterations involved countering these features while expanding the foyer and living area, to improve ventilation and daylighting, as well as the overall appearance of the property. The heavy foyer roof was removed to raise the ceiling height and make the home’s entry area more spacious and airy. “The whole home immediately became so much brighter and lighter,” says Hu. The new floor-to-ceiling windows were another significant change. The original windows were replaced with rectangular casement and picture windows as well as a matching main door. These instantly modernised the appearance of the building and improved its air circulation and daylighting. Other decorative details on the exterior were kept to the minimum, to let the modern, uplifting design speak for itself. The pool was similarly streamlined, to match the linear lines of the bungalow exterior. The design firm also made simple changes to the building layout. The living room was expanded to twice its original height, to create a grander and more inviting space. Existing columns within the building were hidden, to help improve its layout. To add to the property’s classic concept, its interiors featured an array of marbles and tiles from Italy. The colour scheme consisted of earthy, neutral hues, imparting a look that is refined and timeless. These efforts paid off—the property appears fresh yet timeless, and the client was pleased with the final result. Admiring the fruits of their labour, Hu says, “My favourite section of this residence is its front angle, as well as the view of the property from the swimming pool.”