A New York loft in Singapore

Home Type: 1-bedroom + study condominium unit

Floor Area: 583sqft

Text by Olha Romaniuk

In Buona Vista, a small condominium has been reinvented by akiHAUS Design Studio into a sophisticated retreat that blends a New York loft aesthetic with modern classic charm. The transformation – led by Lawrence Puah, design director of akiHAUS – pays homage to the homeowners’ years in New York while addressing the challenges of compact urban living in Singapore.

What began as a modest, storage-starved apartment has been reimagined with the confidence and polish of a Manhattan loft. Drawing from the city’s old-world glamour, Lawrence layered the home in rich materials, bold tones and sculptural geometry. The most striking visual statement is the series of aquamarine “chocolate bar” feature walls – a playful nickname for the moulded panels that stretch across the living and dining zones, concealing storage behind them.

“The home was very much lacking in functional space as it did not come with a storeroom and had limited room to spare for storage,” says Lawrence. The solution was to hide the necessary built-ins behind the “chocolate bar” statement piece that feels like a part of the overall aesthetic rather than traditional cabinetry.

The panels’ linear mouldings reinterpret the classical panel with a fresh, modern twist. At the same time, a subtle concave false ceiling further refines the space, softening the boxy geometry and heightening the sense of openness. Gentle curves continue into the C-shaped kitchen peninsula, where a solid-surface countertop cascades elegantly into a waterfall edge. Bronze-finished inlays and smooth contours add tactile richness without excess, demonstrating a blend of restraint and precision.

Lawrence’s attention to visual consistency extended across every aspect of the home. A previously plain front door, for example, was reworked internally with custom bronze inlays, subtly echoing the accents throughout the home. Each gesture ties back to the idea of design continuity – ensuring every element feels cohesive and intentional.

Beyond visual appeal, the renovation solved real spatial problems where even functional constraints became opportunities for design invention. Working around the fixed positions of the developer’s electrical points and appliances, Lawrence and his team integrated each element into the new composition.

Subtle personal touches added depth to the loft-inspired aesthetic. The homeowners, both dental professionals, wanted the home to reflect their personality and memories of Manhattan. A custom wool rug maps the city’s iconic grid in abstract form, complete with a red highlight marking where they once lived. In another corner, a music nook showcases their cello and handmade moss artworks, turning a former wardrobe space into a tranquil escape.

In the bedroom, Lawrence softened the mood with a suede-padded headboard set against a blue gradient wallpaper, flanked by marble-topped side tables. The design extends the home’s visual language of elegant lines, tactile layering, and tonal harmony, creating a sanctuary of calm.

Through a series of smart, elegant interventions, akiHAUS Design Studio has crafted a home that feels both sophisticated and soulful – a New York loft adapted thoughtfully for life in Singapore. Lawrence says with a laugh: “The homeowners are definitely settling down for good here and last we heard, their guests find it hard to leave as well!”