Extra Space

From gallery walls to multifunctional spaces, this executive apartment redefines HDB living with a mid-century resort vibe.

- Joyce Yang

Picture the entrance of most HDB flats: there's probably a shoerack, a settee, and a divider in that image. That makes the foyer of this apartment something of an anomaly.

“The unit came with a recessed area bought over by the previous homeowners. So instead of just creating an area for shoe storage, we worked with the clients to create a secondary lounging area,” explained Jax and Bobby of Threehaus Works, who were tasked to revamp the resale flat for a couple and their two dogs.

The space in question is an executive apartment, a typology that precedes HDB's executive condominiums and was discontinued in the nineties. And while lease decay may be a dealbreaker for some, those who aren't fussed about flipping their property every few years will be handsomely rewarded with extra space. Up to 1,550 sqft of it, to be exact.

To make full use of that space, Jax and Bobby turned the foyer into something of a lobby, complete with a workstation, a sofa, and full-height storage—though they were careful not to overdo it.