With its sculptural arches, airy spaces, and curated materials, this corner terrace designed by Uncommon Studio offers a harmonious blend of calm and modern elegance.
9 December 2024
Text by Janice Seow
A young couple’s corner terrace home in Kovan has been transformed into a tranquil sanctuary that reflects their cosmopolitan lifestyle and refined sensibilities. Designed by Tee Ping Kuah of Uncommon Studio, the 5,200-square-foot dwelling embodies a delicate balance of understated elegance and functionality – a space that doesn’t just shelter but inspires, offering moments of calm amid the homeowners’ fast-paced lives as fashion entrepreneurs.
The couple’s vision of a home that soothes and uplifts takes shape through a design ethos rooted in light, texture, and form. High ceilings and expansive windows flood the space with natural light, creating a sense of openness that feels both grounding and ethereal.
Inspired by the serene grandeur of cathedrals, arches are a recurring motif throughout the home, their curved lines softening edges and creating visual harmony. “The arches were inspired by the serene grandeur of cathedrals, evoking a tranquil and reverent atmosphere,” shares Ping Kuah. At the intersection of the living spaces, two grand arches frame transitions between rooms, while a sculptural wooden sphere finished in lime plaster becomes the centrepiece – a tactile detail that enhances the home’s serene quality.
Materiality plays a central role, with every texture and finish contributing to the home’s harmonious flow. Lime plaster walls, both tactile and air purifying, form a seamless canvas that sets the tone for the interiors. Marble, selectively employed, elevates key spaces without overwhelming them.
In the dining area, a custom three-metre dining table with a Gardenia countertop balances functionality with a sense of quiet luxury, perfect for hosting gatherings that mirror the couple’s penchant for understated sophistication. “Their preference for luxurious European elements was integrated subtly – refined details that elevate the design without overwhelming it,” says Ping Kuah. This careful interplay of textures – soft, natural, and grounding – creates a home that feels lived-in yet pristine, luxurious yet approachable.
The kitchen underwent a thoughtful transformation to optimise functionality and natural light, with the cooking area now oriented to face the back patio, creating a bright and inviting space. Its centrepiece, the arched lattice French doors, seamlessly aligns with the home’s other arches, forming a harmonious visual axis that’s best appreciated from the living room. This alignment reinforces the architectural cohesion throughout the home, while the dry kitchen features a multifunctional island and pantry area, both clad in Didio’s Arabescato engineered marble. This material choice combines durability with understated luxury, perfectly complementing the kitchen’s refined and practical design.
Lighting becomes a silent orchestrator of mood, with a smart system enabling seamless shifts between brightness and colour temperature. This thoughtful layering of light imbues each room with a dynamic quality, transitioning from functional to intimate as needed.
In the master suite, softly curved gypsum walls and ambient lighting accentuates the room’s warmth, while artisanal lime plaster adds depth and tactility.
The master bathroom continues the theme of serene refinement, with an open-plan layout that eliminates partitions in favour of airy fluidity. “The layout of the bathroom, without partitions, emphasises its airy, serene quality,” Ping Kuah elaborates. Double marble sinks and a freestanding bathtub amplify the sense of indulgence while remaining grounded in simplicity.
Every element of this corner terrace home in Kovan has been meticulously designed to reflect the couple’s aspirations and way of life. With its sculptural arches, curated materials, and refined European influences, this residence transcends the traditional notion of a house, becoming a reflection of its owners’ lives – globally influenced yet deeply personal. It’s a sanctuary of thoughtful design, where calm and beauty reside in perfect harmony.
Uncommon Studio
www.uncommon-uncommon.com
www.facebook.com/theuncommonstudio
www.instagram.com/uncommonuncommon
Photography by Johnston Lim & Shanie from Formpractice
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