Rustic Retreat
Sujonohun crafted a sales gallery for View at Kismis that combines a grand reveal with a bucolic appeal
Offering his thoughts on overcoming hurdles, thirteenthcentury Persian poet Rumi once said: “As you start to walk out on the way, the way appears”. So it was with a recent project by local firm Sujonohun— the design firm created an experiential concept for the sales gallery of View at Kismis, a new luxury residential development in Bukit Timah.
Sujonohun had previously worked on an earlier
View at Kismis show unit, which followed a pastoral theme in keeping with Roxy-te2 Development’s idea of a “residence in a valley”. The modern Tuscan decor of that unit embraced its vineyard inspiration, employing materials such as Italian tiles, dark timber and saddle leather, nature-inspired hues, and streamlined design to great effect.
“This latest project was a continuation of the show suite we had designed in 2019, which was being demolished to make way for the actual development,” says Sujonohun creative director Molina Hun.
Working with design director Yanika Gunawan, Hun gave the new three-bedroom show unit and sales gallery a countryside charm that underpins the development’s modern rustic appeal.
AGAINST THE GRAIN
The client had selected an unusual spot for the new sales gallery: a unit tucked away on the third f loor of the Beauty World Centre shopping mall. Sujonohun had to work with the site’s odd layout, which featured an elongated corridor at the entrance and low ceiling height.
“As it was not a standalone structure like most show suites, we also needed to be very conscious in creating a sensible yet refreshing addition that didn’t overpower the context of a suburban mall,” says Hun. Ultimately, the unique nature of the site itself allowed Sujonohun ample creative license.
RICH YIELD
Having studied the long entrance corridor and its turns, the designers decided to use it as the catalyst of their design strategy. “It made us focus on the theatricality of the journey,” says Hun. “We planned what visitors would encounter first at the entrance to the sales gallery, guiding their eyes to the key focal points, and culminating with the reveal of the different spaces within.”
Sujonohun dressed the f loor of the entrance corridor in welcoming wood panels, in a criss-cross arrangement. The ceiling features a terracotta shade that echoes the warm hue of the f loor, inviting passers-by to enter for a closer look. Sections of a wall are clad in mirrored panels that mitigate the liberal application of earthy colours here for a more spacious feel. The tunnel features low lighting for a relaxed vibe, offering visitors a calming respite.
The showf lat itself communicates a rustic yet luxurious ambience. The living room is awash in diffused lighting for a soothing feel. A patterned ceiling and brick wall infuse this area with texture and character. An opening in the wall at the dining zone creates a link to the wine room, located just behind this space. The wine room is cosy and features a counter, seat and customised bottle racks with built-in lighting.
A timber-clad corridor celebrates the rich tones of walnut wood, amplified by an eye-catching geometric artwork composed of hand-painted tiles at one end.
In the master bedroom, a more contemporary aesthetic dominates, in contrast to the light-filled, agrarian-inspired living spaces. The modern textural walls are a perfect backdrop for the glimmering headboard. Tactile bedlinen in muted hues, suspended bedside tables and the dressing table continue this design language to form a cohesive, cocooning whole conducive to relaxation.
The entire project took nine months to complete, inclusive of Singapore’s Covid-19 circuit breaker period. The result harnesses an array of design elements to perfectly encapsulate the developer’s modern countryside concept.