Introspective Hues

This grey-toned HDB flat incorporates a wealth of practical features that marry the homeowners’ divergent lifestyles

- Yaiza Canopoli

While most interior design partnerships involve a process of listening to and understanding homeowners’ needs, designing one’s own home is quite a different story. Edward, the lead designer at Arche, experienced this first-hand when renovating the 3-room HDB flat he shares with his wife at Bukit Merah.

The central concerns for the two homeowners were the lack of storage and the limited space, which they struggled to share while leading vastly different lifestyles. In order to achieve a more ergonomic distribution of square footage, the designer quickly realised that a full transformation was in order. All removable walls were hacked for a complete rearrangement of the layout, turning the home into a blank canvas that opened up a host of new possibilities. The structural walls, which could not be removed, were niftily concealed in plain sight, integrating the bomb shelter into the overall design with an eye-catching wall niche.

The designer’s industry experience came in handy at this stage, allowing him to efficiently combine aesthetics and functionality. “It is essential to understand how one would interact with their space,” the designer shares. “Some homeowners can be a tad too obsessive about trends, but I would rather focus on planning around our living habits and lifestyles.” Not only does the space marry the homeowners’ personal tastes in the monochromatic colour palette and dark ambience, but it works to accommodate their practical needs as well. The loose segregation between the different areas of the home emphasises communication and free movement while maintaining a sense of personal space, striking a balance that satisfies both parties.