Urban Oasis
THIS STRIKING HOME PAIRS ITS MINIMALIST, NORDIC -INSPIRED ARCHITECTURE WITH THE WARMTH OF WOOD AND RICH TEXTURES
An earthy material palette and rich textures enliven the interiors of this Nordic-inspired bungalow
With its quadrilateral roof and stark lines, this modern abode instantly stands out among its more conventional neighbours along Crescent Road. This newly built bungalow is home to a young family of four, who recently welcomed a new baby to their household. The homeowners, a married couple who work in the finance industry, had first approached Kelvin Bing of Renaissance Planners & Designers to build and integrate a swimming pool into their previous home. “The homeowner had originally wanted to extend his original bungalow house with a new pool area, but I said it wasn’t possible because of building restrictions,” explains the project and design director. The client had discovered the design director’s work on the internet and loved what he had done—so much so that he again contacted Bing a year later about a new unit he had purchased.
DREAM PROJECT
Situated on a rectangular plot of land that measures around 10,000sqft, the site offered the opportunity to build a brand new home for the client’s growing family, as well as the pool extension that the owner had originally desired. Besides wanting an abode that looks timeless and contemporary, he also wished to have a large entertainment area where friends and family could gather, as well as a spacious garage that’s able to house multiple cars for guests. The couple also kept most of the furniture from their previous home— primarily pieces from Italian brands such as Minotti, Flexform, Maxalto and Poliform—as well as iconic designs such as the Eames lounge chair and ottoman.
Everything else however, was left to the discerning eye of the design director, who embraced the creative possibilities of this project. “The owner simply said, ‘I leave everything to you.’ My client entrusted me with his home, and gave me free rein to design the architecture and the rest of the interiors as I wished—as if I were to treat his abode as the site of my own dream home,” explains Bing.
NORDIC INSPIRATION
For this project that took three years to complete, the design director envisioned a bungalow with a “very luxurious, open-plan concept that links the outdoors with the indoors”. For architectural inspiration, Bing looked to the Scandinavian masters of Nordic modernism, which embraces straight angles and Brutalist-inspired minimalist forms. The bungalow features a distinctive pentagonal silhouette; its roof extends out to create a cantilevered porch that adds to the light, airy and open feel of the space while staying true to its angular proportions.
Fitted with turquoise green mosaic tiles, the 30m lap pool runs alongside the living area to the dining section on the second floor, adding a serene touch to the modern abode. Greenery lines the entrance as well as the terrace of the home, acting as a counterpoint to the sharp angles of the exterior. “We wanted something that looks fresh and is very easy to maintain, so we added ferns to the entrance and along the left side of the terrace,” explains the design director.
LAP OF LUXURY
In lieu of dramatic statement pieces or gilded finishes, the design director played with rich textures and tones to bring luxurious warmth to the home. “The biggest challenge for any project is to achieve a perfectly cohesive look in all spaces, be it the interiors or the exteriors,” says Bing. As such, the home’s colour scheme is dominated by earthy shades and neutral tones. The use of black marble flooring on the ground floor and the second storey elevates the opulent feel of the bungalow. All bathrooms in the home feature Grohe fixtures and cabinetry in monochromatic shades, selected to match the tone of the marble flooring. To complement the owner’s previous purchases, a few pieces, such as the leather sofa in the living area, were acquired from Space Furniture during sourcing trips with the homeowner. In contrast to the building’s black-andwhite colour scheme, much of its interiors is furnished in mahogany wood to make the home more inviting and lived-in. This straight-grained, reddish-brown timber has been used consistently on flooring and cabinetry throughout the abode, helping to unify the look of the interiors. Rugs and upholstery in earthy shades add a cosy element, while also offering an added layer of privacy to the bedrooms and glass-walled areas of the home.
MODERN SANCTUARY
To cater to the owner’s requirements for a large garage and entertainment area, Bing devoted the entire ground floor to these facilities. The garage is able to house up to six cars, while the double-volume foyer area has become the home’s primary recreation area. Upon entry to the home, you’ll see a pool table at the foyer, where guests can mingle and play a game of billiards. Next to the table, the walnut wall opens up to reveal shelves for shoes. For the full cinematic experience, the adjacent audiovisual room houses a wide projector screen and a Heco sound system to keep both cinephiles and gamers entertained. On the second storey, a glass-enclosed living and dining area embraces the home’s open concept. Glass railings and floor-toceiling windows offer clear views of the ground floor as well as the pool. A “sky bridge” that overlooks the entertainment zone connects the living and dining areas of the home. In the dining and dry kitchen area, the two Flos chandeliers are the home’s most striking lighting pieces—everything else is kept to a decorative minimum. A lean and light staircase leads up to the third floor, which is fitted with seven bedrooms including the master bedroom. Two of these serve as the bedroom and nursery for the couple’s young daughter and the new baby, respectively, which will be redecorated when the children grow older. Each room features mahogany flooring, and built-in wardrobes that help reduce clutter; all in unison with the overall material and colour palette of the abode. Extra care has been given to the master bedroom—a dramatic double-volume space that’s clad almost entirely in wood, from the walls and flooring to the ceiling and cabinetry. Bing picked out beige cotton curtains with a velvet-like finish, specially made and imported from Paris to fit the unusual dimensions of this bedroom. This room also features a balcony, which offers views of the courtyard and terrace on the second floor. Looking at the results, the designer declares: “This is one of the projects that I really love. I love every part of this home because it is beautifully done and the design comes together so cohesively.”