NORDIC FL AIR
Harking back to a couple’s treasured memories of their Northern Europe travels, METAPHOR STUDIO created this luxuriously rustic barn concept
THINK OF THE SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRYSIDE, AND
visions of cottages, sprawling hills and meandering lakes might come to mind. While this modern duplex in Singapore seems worlds away from such bucolic scener y, it actually informs the ver y design and even the soul of the home in thoroughly subtle and refined ways that make this abode a plush, cosy enclave for two. For a young couple who enjoys frequent holidays in the Nordic region, it was a natural decision to celebrate their shared love of all things Scandi-chic within their abode. They turned to Stephen Goh and Angela Tantr y, co-founders of Metaphor Studio, to craf t a luxurious take on their rustic inspiration within their thoroughly modern duplex apar tment. “The challenges the space presented included translating the trendy industrial look into a luxe ‘barn’ setting and fine-tuning the design profile, proportions and details to complement the owners’ deep appreciation for Scandinavian fine furniture and design,” says Goh.
Lofty Vision
In some ways, the duplex apartment was the perfect canvas for a home with a distinctly Nordic character. Its entr yway leads into a dramatic double-volume space that evokes the lofty heights typical of barns in Northern Europe. But this unique feature made the apartment susceptible to heat and glare— harsh afternoon light would flood the living area through its double-height windows. Its unusual design meant that the initial layout restricted the spatial flow of the home, and resulted in bedrooms that were smaller than desired. There was also the need for more storage options within the home.
Material Details
Goh and Tantry rose to the challenge, working on every detail of their design concept meticulously over the course of three months. The construction took more than four months to complete, as the couple did not wish to rush the process. To craft a cohesively contemporary interior, the team clad the walls and low ceiling of the dining area in the same dark finishes and saw-cut elm wood laminates. Aesthetics aside, these materials help make the duplex home easy to maintain. To complete the look, interlocking tiles in charcoal grey provide a strikingly modern contrast against the earthy tones of warm wood. The design duo’s material selection also cleverly accentuates the grand height of the connecting living and dining area, while addressing heat concerns. “We used tiles to reduce the amount of reflection from the existing polished marble flooring. It ’s one strateg y to combat excessive glare from the large windows, while giving an opportunity to highlight the lof t space,” says Goh. The team made sure to avoid reflective materials such as glass and steel to minimise glare from the sun. The windows were also clad in black window blinds, to provide shade while shielding the abode from pr ying eyes.