Discover how a family of six transformed their condo into a peaceful urban sanctuary with expansive views of Marina Bay.
30 September 2024
Text by Vanitha Pavapathi
Located right by the Singapore River, with an unblocked view stretching into the Marina Bay area, this apartment provides the perfect setting for a family looking for both vibrancy and retreat. Lead designer Kelvin Lim and his team at Atelier Here have transformed the dated resale apartment into a calming sanctuary for a family of six, through thoughtful design and a clever layout.
The homeowner, a businessman, and his homemaker wife, along with their four school-going children, were seeking a haven amidst the bustling city. “While they loved the vibrancy and convenience of living downtown, they wanted a space that felt like an escape from the busy urban surroundings,” reveals Kelvin.
To achieve this, the design employs a restrained material palette that exudes warmth and serenity. Neutral, earthy tones have been chosen as the foundation, with natural materials like timber veneers, natural stone surfaces, and terracotta tiles. These elements contrast against the steel and glass exterior of the city, creating a tranquil atmosphere. “Our aim was to orchestrate a pared-down, restful mood, one that embodies a sense of reclusiveness and escape,” Kelvin adds.
One of the key challenges in designing this apartment was ensuring that each room took full advantage of the breathtaking views of the Singapore River and Marina Bay. The original layout of the apartment was typical of older condominiums, with enclosed spaces and a segmented feel. Kelvin and his team pushed the boundaries of space planning to open up the apartment and draw attention to the stunning vistas.
Key spaces like the living room and the common study now enjoy unbroken views of the bay. By removing the wall of a former bedroom to create an open study, this generated a shared space for the children to do their work but also elongated the sea-facing view from the living room, creating a sweeping panorama of the bay. The sunken living room, which steps down from the dining area, further enhances this experience by providing a higher ceiling and better sightlines.
The balcony nook, which was interiorised and transformed into a lounge, offers the perfect spot to take in the cityscape. It features a built-in semi-circular booth seating with walls and floors finished in linear terracotta tiles, adding warmth to the space.
Since one of the original bedrooms was sacrificed to create an open study, the design team had to make strategic changes to carve out another. The large, enclosed kitchen, original to the apartment, was repurposed. By shifting the kitchen out into a dry kitchen that now opens into the dining space, the team created a more communal environment suited for the family’s light cooking needs. “We also carved out a smaller wet kitchen from the former yard, and the old kitchen became a new bedroom,” Kelvin explains.
The dry kitchen is a beautiful example of the design team’s meticulous attention to detail. Featuring a striking green marble island that also greets the residents at the entrance, the space was further refined with a combination of walnut veneer and muted grey laminate. The island, which appears as a solid block, cleverly contains hidden storage. Also serving double duty is a fluted glass door that screens off the wet kitchen while allowing daylight to filter through.
To ensure a cohesive language throughout the apartment, a similar green marble is also featured in the master bedroom. It contrasts with textured tiles to create an elegant, custom-made bedside ledge and headboard that spans the full width of the room.
From the sunken living room to the cosy study area and the intimate master bedroom, this apartment achieves the perfect balance between urban energy and serene retreat. The thoughtful use of natural materials, restrained colour palette, and smart space planning all contribute to making downtown living a luxurious haven for a family of six.
Atelier Here
www.at-here.co
www.instagram.com/atelierhere
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