SENSUAL SLEEK

This walk-up apartment in Joo Chiat has been given a warm, rustic feel that aligns with its locale. ROSSARA JAMIL finds out more

- ROSSARA JAMIL

Joo Chiat brings up a particular picture in our minds. A vibrant, eclectic area known for its Peranakan shophouses, local food joints, quirky shops and charming cafes, its blend of the old and new attracts both expats and locals. In his search for a home, the owner of this apartment came across this walk-up apartment.

“I wanted an old-style walk-up apartment, with high ceilings and lots of natural light,” says P. J.S., an Englishman who has been a Permanent Resident for 15 years. “This apartment had all of this, especially being on the top floor. The windows on both sides provide lots of light and airflow.”

Drawn to the industrial loft style, he also had a vision for his home. “A friend of mine passed me an image of a loftstyle industrial concept, which Three-D Conceptwerke had been responsible for,” he says. “I liked the look and feel, so I reached out for a meeting. The rest is history.”

A global head in commercial real estate in the banking sector, he wanted an open-plan home with a spacious living area where he could entertain his friends. Although almost 40 years old and well-maintained, the unit needed to be treated carefully. “An unknown before carrying out the works was the structures. As it is an old walk-up apartment, we won’t know what will happen if any reconfiguration is done,” says Dess Chew, the principal designer at Three-D Conceptwerke. Dess and his team called upon a professional engineer for surveys and checks to ensure everything was in order.