Intimate Splendour

LA Design Studio transforms a grand four-storey terrace house in the east of Singapore into a functional, timelessly elegant family home

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“From the very first meeting, it was clear that this home was never meant to be just beautiful,” says Suzanne Ong, looking back on her latest project. “It was meant to be meaningful.” The senior creative at LA Design Studio took charge of transforming this terrace house in the east of Singapore in 2024. It was a daunting task given the home’s extensive footprint, which spans over 6,200 sq ft across four levels, including seven bedrooms.

The clients—a thoughtful, design-conscious couple with a pair of spirited two-year-old twins—approached the firm seeking a new spatial concept and emotional language to reflect their dynamic lifestyle. “Their previous design direction had fallen short of capturing this,” Ong shares.

“When the homeowners reached out, they were looking for more than solutions—they were looking for soul.” It was paramount that their interiors be set up to evolve with their growing toddlers. The space had to accommodate family routines, full schedules and a vibrant social life with frequent entertaining. In addition, the clients came prepared with specific preferences and ideas, having carefully considered materials, spatial flow and functionality in advance. The wife told Ong in one of their early conversations: “We want our home to feel like us: calm, elegant and full of life.”