A multi-gen haven with a statement kitchen island

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Text by Disa Tan

With a clear focus on openness and ease of movement, Founder and Design Director Lawrence Puah of akiHAUS Design Studio has put together a bright, fluid condo that caters to a married couple with two active children and a grandmother who enjoys cooking. “The way a family moves and uses the space is what guides the design,” he shares, describing the considerations that shaped the reconfiguration of the open kitchen and living spaces. Through expanded sightlines, gentle curves, and thoughtful layering, the once typical layout now unfolds with a sense of flow and contemporary elegance.

Central to this transformation was the kitchen’s restructuring. Lawrence opened the enclosed layout, relocated the wet kitchen to the former yard, and introduced a generous island that now serves as the family’s central gathering point. The expanded dry kitchen not only brightens the home but also offers the young kids ample space to move comfortably through the communal zones.

Since the island has replaced a traditional dining table, ergonomics were essential. Lawrence designed a stainless steel footrest so the family can sit comfortably for long meals, work, or conversations. “You can stay seated here for a long time without fidgeting or strain,” he notes, having tested the setup himself during extended dinners with the homeowners. “The footrest support tapers inward too, which helps prevent any accidental toe-stubbing,” he explains.

The island features a curved Dekton sintered stone countertop shaped through a carefully curated detailing method that achieves a joint-free corner with refined craftsmanship. This gentle curvature carries into the contoured ceiling feature, which conceals the air-con trunking, while the unit is tucked into a recessed niche that keeps it functional yet out of sight.

As the layout opens toward the living area, the study shifts from an isolated room into a flexible extension of the shared space, with a motorised screen that can be lowered whenever a quieter, more focused moment is needed. “By taking down the walls, the study can connect with the living area, yet still close off when privacy is needed,” Lawrence shares.

A custom TV feature reinforces this sense of visual lightness. Designed as a floating piece supported by a single stainless steel pole, it allows the living and study zones to remain connected without the weight of a built-in wall.

Cables and devices are concealed behind the TV structure, maintaining a clean silhouette from every angle. The material palette enhances this sense of calm cohesion. Microcement-inspired finishes meet crisp white tones and cosy dark wood accents, creating a refined interplay of texture and light that keeps the home feeling open and visually restful.

The gentle material language continues into the master bedroom, where the palette shifts toward a more cocooning warmth. Microcement-inspired painted walls create a soft, enveloping backdrop, balanced by pristine white tones that keep the room bright and airy. The air conditioning unit is tucked discreetly within the contoured ceiling, maintaining the room’s clean lines while ensuring comfort.

Dark wood laminate panels create a defined feature wall for the headboard, complemented by a niche with a mirror backing that introduces depth and a serene spot for personal objects. Recessed lighting within the ledge casts a soft, atmospheric glow that settles the room.

Delivered within a three-month timeline, the renovation of this condo carries Lawrence’s practical yet refined approach. “Things must look good, but they also have to work beautifully for daily life,” he says. The finished space offers a quiet clarity, shaped by thoughtful decisions that support both comfort and long-term ease of living.

akiHAUS Design Studio
www.akihaus.com
www.facebook.com/akiHAUS.Design.Studio
www.instagram.com/akihaus.sg

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