Flipped plan – by akiHAUS Design Studio

Returning from abroad, the owners moved from a nearby condominium to this semi-detached house to accommodate their household needs. Responding to lush vegetation at the back of the property, akiHAUS Design Studio reversed the conventional layout by relocating the living room to the rear. “The clients love the greenery and there’s so much of that at the back,” says the firm’s design director Lawrence Puah.

Sliding glass screens integrated with display shelving form a distinctive architectural feature within the living space. Set against the wall, the structure acts as both storage and visual backdrop, giving the communal area a clear focal point while maintaining the openness of the room.

The kitchen was relocated to occupy the front portion of the house following the reversal of the living spaces toward the rear garden. Dark wood cabinetry and a central island define a practical cooking zone, while a narrow slit window looks toward the car porch, allowing groceries to be brought directly inside from the parking area.

During renovation, unusually low beams hidden above the living room were uncovered. Instead of concealing them with a lowered ceiling, Lawrence introduced coffered forms with rounded corners and concave junctions. The intervention softens the beams while adding visual interest, allowing the ceiling between them to feel taller and lighter.

Extending the shelter along the side terrace transforms an often-overlooked piece of land into an outdoor dining zone. The covered space now supports casual meals and entertaining while maintaining visual connections to surrounding greenery. It is accessed directly from the kitchen as well as from the side passage of the house.

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

We think you may also like A semi-detached house undergoes a nip and tuck