PRESENT PERFECT

Akihaus designs a Singapore duplex for a cosmopolitan couple that draws inspiration from their shared memories of London and New York

- Luo Jingmei

When homeowners Jon Siao and May Tan first encountered this duplex apartment in an old condominium estate in Singapore, they liked the idea of living in a two-storey unit but were hesitant about whether they could make it their dream home. So, they called upon interior designer Lawrence Puah of Akihaus to get a second opinion.

Puah visited the property and noticed its oddly planned spaces, as well as a dearth of natural ventilation and light due to the layout. “Tapping into my architectural background, I could see that there was immense potential. I did a few sketches to show them the possibilities, which got them excited,” says Puah. The couple hired him to create an abode that fulfils their desire to entertain and work from home at times. Having met in London and lived overseas in places like New York, they also wanted an aesthetic reminiscent of the oldworld charm of these cosmopolitan cities.

NEW PLANS

The first step was to reconfigure the spaces. Walls around the enclosed kitchen and yard were removed to create an open kitchen. The walls of the study were also replaced with slide-fold glass doors, which helped to create an overall spacious and airy feeling in the first storey.

However, removing the walls also exposed a structural column and beam in the living and dining areas. “Thus, we created another mock column mirroring the existing column in the living room to create balance and symmetry,” says Puah of the twin columns that border the sofa. Similarly, he composed a ceiling layout with a mock beam and laid mirrored panels in between for a more symmetrical composition, and to keep the ceiling between the beams as high as possible.