A Singapore apartment lit up with a resort-bungalow concept

Akihaus puts a new modern spin on the resort-bungalow concept with a light-filled interior for an apartment in Singapore’s lively Orchard Road neighbourhood

When you think about a “resort” concept, wooden textures and green hues might come to mind. But Lawrence Puah, founder and design director of Akihaus, sought to offer a fresher take on the theme by going with an ethereal off-white palette and a restful modern scheme for an apartment in Singapore. It’s designed as a palate cleanser and an antidote to the stressors of urban life, just like how city dwellers would flock to beach resorts for a quick weekend getaway.

When the design team first visited the 1,567 sq ft apartment, it featured sound spatial planning, but could do with more daylight. The living room offered stunning vantage views of the city and the Orchard Road shopping belt, but the Akihaus design team felt they could be further maximised.

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Above A row of pendant lights brings decorative flair to the off-white palette of the kitchen

A row of pendant lights brings decorative flair to the off-white palette of the kitchen

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As a holiday home of an Indonesian expatriate couple and their young son, the apartment in the Cairnhill Nine condominium needed to be easy to maintain. Hence, materials and furnishings had to be selected for their hardwearing, fuss-free nature. Many storage areas were also to be incorporated into the interior design to help keep the home free of clutter.

To start with, the team raised the ceiling height of the open-plan living and dining room, and angled all of its four corners to create a pitched ceiling. The height increase—nearly 50 cm—made a noticeable difference, transforming the area into a capacious space with a ceiling height of nearly 2.9m.

“Most modern apartments are rectilinear in form; the pitched roof gives the effect of a pavilion-like setting, changing the look of the apartment entirely,” says Puah. Vertical slats were also incorporated into the perimeter of the pitched ceiling to amplify its sense of height, while concealing the air-conditioning ducts and the wiring for the spotlights and ambient lighting.

Above Light-hued timber cabinets feature ample storage for shoes to keep the entryway neat and tidy

Light-hued timber cabinets feature ample storage for shoes to keep the entryway neat and tidy

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The designer also reconfigured the spatial plan of the living room to improve the skyline views from the balcony. The walls of an adjacent bedroom were torn down to expand the balcony’s size, creating a relaxing space where the couple can enjoy their morning coffee or sit back with a drink while looking out to sunset views of the city.

Pocket sliding doors between common areas such as the kitchen and the dining zone help to improve spatial efficiency and the overall flow of the home. The whitewashed walls and wood detailing on the ceiling go perfectly with the light-wood cabinetry.

The entryway and the entire open-plan living area are clad in homogeneous tiles in a marble-look pattern from Rice Fields, which add an elegant flourish. Their fluid veins are echoed by the textures of the grey rug and the abstract artworks on display in the living area. The feature walls’ panelled design also adds to the layered look while cleverly disguising the doors of the storage areas in the open-plan common area.

Above The ceiling height was raised to create a sense of loftiness in the open-plan living room

The ceiling height was raised to create a sense of loftiness in the open-plan living room

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To complement the effortless look of the living room, Puah and his team selected furnishings in neutral tones from BoConcept, and paired them with materials and fabrics with geometric patterns to enhance the tactility of the space. The L-shaped sofa features an ottoman with storage space to stash frequently used items like the remote controls in a convenient location. Next to it, an inviting Ligne Roset Togo sofa from Grafunkt beckons one to sink into its plush depths.

On the balcony, the outdoor furnishings from Ohmm are oriented towards views of the skyline, while green turf adds a verdant touch to this space.

Wall-hung decorative trays from Soul & Tables bring botanical motifs into the bedroom

Darker accent hues were picked for the bedrooms to create a calming effect

The pitched-ceiling design continues into the master bedroom, which also features a restful mix of taupe and grey hues

Photo 1 of 4 Wall-hung decorative trays from Soul & Tables bring botanical motifs into the bedroom

Photo 2 of 4 Darker accent hues were picked for the bedrooms to create a calming effect

Photo 3 of 4 The bright and inviting master bathroom

Photo 4 of 4 The pitched-ceiling design continues into the master bedroom, which also features a restful mix of taupe and grey hues

Wall-hung decorative trays from Soul & Tables bring botanical motifs into the bedroom

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If the light-filled living area is where you’ll feel bright and alert as you begin your day, the bedrooms, on the other hand, ought to create a more restful mood. In contrast to the fresh off-white scheme of the living room, the “pavilion”-inspired bedrooms take on darker earthy tones and also feature a pitched ceiling.

Taupe and dark-grey hues in the master bedroom bring to mind the look of an elegant hotel suite, with a set of three botanical- themed trays from Soul & Tables hung like art pieces on the walls. All the beds were sourced from King Living, and the latex mattresses are from Heveya.

In another bedroom, shades of blue imbue the space with a soothing atmosphere. These deep hues are selected for the velvet headboard of the King Living bed and the curtains that help block out the light when the day is done.

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Above A view of the guest room, with the Murphy bed concealed behind the desk

Above The Murphy bed can be tucked away to turn the guest room into a study

A view of the guest room, with the Murphy bed concealed behind the desk

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The study functions as a guest room, with a Murphy daybed hidden behind the suspended desk. It’s so beautifully disguised behind the white cabinetry that it comes as a pleasant surprise for visitors when it unfolds to reveal a space for slumber.

“The suspended shelves are also a direct response to the wall details [in the study], tying into its cohesive yet subtle design,” adds Puah. The study also now features a double-lift sliding door so that it can be opened up whenever it is not in use, bringing ample daylight into the adjacent corridor.

During the entire six-month design and renovation process, much effort was put into concealing the mechanisms, storage, wiring, and other practical details to create the home’s cohesive look. The designer is proud to show off this result, and the owners, too, look forward to visiting Singapore more frequently thanks to this restful sanctuary they can now proudly call home.

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Credits

Images

Courtesy of Akihaus

Topics

Condominium Orchard Road Akihaus Cairnhill Nine Holiday home

Tatler Asia

Home tour: An ethereal light-filled condominium apartment near Singapore’s Orchard Road