This Hougang flat shows how a resale can rival a BTO

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Text by Disa Tan

Unlike the more compartmentalised layouts common in older HDB resale flats, this Hougang unit has been reimagined for openness, light, and flow. Senior Designer Johnson Ng of Happe Design Atelier transformed its dated interiors with a bright, seamless plan anchored by a sleek kitchen island, while cleverly incorporating hidden doors, sliding partitions, and storage that adapt to the homeowner’s lifestyle.

“The original unit felt dark and dated, with heavy paint and partitioned bedrooms. Aside from the structural beams and columns, everything else has been completely transformed,” says Johnson, who completed the $111,000 renovation in four months. For homeowner Catherine Chua, the result is a home that balances her quiet, solitary hobbies with her love of entertaining — a space that feels both personal and welcoming.

Johnson’s first big move was to open up the heart of the home: the communal zones. By removing the bedroom walls beside the formerly enclosed kitchen, he introduced a new dining zone that flows seamlessly into the kitchen and living area. This creates a spacious, open hub where Catherine can cook, dine, and entertain her guests all together in one inviting space.

With the non-structural walls gone, the kitchen island extends naturally from the dining area, serving as both a prep counter and an informal dining spot. A sleek material pairing of stainless steel inspired laminates from Panaplast and a white concrete-effect porcelain countertop from Caesarstone for the island echoes the home’s minimalist palette beautifully.

Tucked behind the kitchen, the common bathroom was turned into a hidden powder room, its door flush with the wall. Three circular fluted panel windows were added for visual interest and ventilation, since the original bathroom window now opens to the backyard washer area.

One of the home’s standout transformations is the second bedroom, now designed as a flexible space that can serve as a guest room or mahjong area. Sliding wall panels connect it seamlessly to the living room, opening it up fully for gatherings or closing it off for privacy. Inside, built-in carpentry conceals an automatic mahjong table, with enough room for a future Murphy bed.

Next to it, the master bedroom has been redesigned for greater privacy and flow. Upon entry, a full-height wardrobe doubles as a wall divider that screens the sleeping area from view, while an adjacent fluted glass panel filters in soft daylight.

On the opposite side, the doorway to the master bathroom is neatly concealed within carpentry works. The entire arrangement balances storage with the need for natural light, while ensuring that the rest area remains a calm, cocoon-like sanctuary.

The master bathroom saw one of the most practical overhauls. A wall-hung toilet was introduced, and the shower was relocated to create a more efficient and relaxing layout. Layered warm lighting solutions and a false ceiling add to the sense of intimacy, transforming it into a cosy retreat.

The result is a flat that feels fresh, open, and adaptable — a home that balances sleek minimalism with thoughtful flexibility. By rethinking how each space connects and conceals, Happe Design Atelier has created a bright, welcoming haven that fits seamlessly with homeowner’s lifestyle.

Happe Design Atelier
www.hda.studio
www.instagram.com/happedesignatelier
www.facebook.com/HappeDesignAtelier/

Photography by Wong Wei Liang

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