Visible the moment you enter this two-storey, 2,300 sqf, three-bedroom penthouse unit in Bukit Batok is its centrepiece, the dry kitchen. Featuring a large kitchen island with an integrated 90cm-wide induction hob, this is where the cooking enthusiast-homeowner can be found and where his family gathers. 

Mark Yong of Museum Homes designed the home, which has an open-concept with clean-cut details and neutral colour tones. The home has a total of three kitchens – one wet, one dry and one outdoor – fitted with Gaggenau appliances, and includes three fridges, two wine coolers, four ovens and even an integrated pantry.

When the door is closed, the built-in pantry situated in between the dry and wet kitchens blends seamlessly into the panelling of the living area. 

The central timber-finished column holds the TV set (behind sliding louvred panels), a wine chiller, the pantry, a fridge and storage space. 

On the second floor, the cosy master bedroom "extends" into the outdoor area.

A statement graffiti wall mural was commissioned for the son's room, adding a burst of colour to the neutral colour scheme.

The house of chef Emmanuel Stroobrant and his wife Edina Hong – it sits on a land area of about 4,000 sq ft – in Sixth Avenue was built from scratch after the previous house was demolished. It has seven rooms, a basement, a swimming pool and a built-up area of about 7,000 sq ft. The couple, who are both Singaporeans, paid $3.5 million for the old house and it cost about $1.8 million to build and furnish.

Ms Hong, who was heavily involved in the design of the house and picked the furniture, says she went for a loft-like feel with big, open spaces and wood panels of various sizes that clad the walls.

The living room is dominated by a loud, three-panelled neon orange painting by Canadian artist Joanne Corneau, who goes by the pseudonym Corno, and muted brown couches.

This article was first published in The Straits Times. All photos: The Straits Times. 

An open-concept kitchen, which was designed by Mr Stroobant, is next to it. It is the heart of the house, where the family have dinner or entertain friends at least once a month. It is a homely space, with wood panelling and cookbooks placed on shelves above the three fridges – these can be accessed with a ladder on wheels.

The state-of-the-art kitchen system features two kitchen islands. The "hot food" cooking station, by cooking equipment brand Waldorf, has a flat-top French grill, an industrial sunken stove and a teppanyaki grill. The other island is used for preparing food with five in-built fridges under the counter.

Mr Stroobant says it is not work when he is cooking at home. "There isn't that pressure of cooking in a professional kitchen. It's a completely different feel when you're surrounded by family and friends."

Book-filled shelves line a wall of this communal space on the second level, where the kids play or have tuition.