Blank canvas

Ministry of Design unveils striking all-white concept for traditional Singaporean shophouse which treads the line between the past and the present.

- STEVE HILL

Time was of the essence from the moment Colin Seah accepted the challenge of reimagining the interiors of an iconic traditional shophouse in Singapore.

The founder-director of integrated spatial design, interior and architectural firm Ministry of Design (MOD) had just four months to design, source, and fit-out the entire property into four co-living suites on a fixed budget.

So it is no surprise to learn that Seah’s striking all-white concept for what has become the Canvas House in the vibrant Tanjong Pagar neighbourhood was arrived at extremely quickly.

He said: “The idea was formed within 45 minutes of walking the site - it was a clear response to its context and also the pragmatics of time and budget.”

Figment, the developer, had a clearly stated aim of renting out the suites to creative locals or expats for three-to-12 month stays, and for MOD to “do something appealing” as well as come up with “a way for this co-living shophouse to stand out.”

Seah’s response was to conjure up a purely white space which acts as a canvas for the future whilst simultaneously revealing contrasting hints of its historical preservation with glimpses of the original brickwork and timber stair treads.