Home Tour: Raw, brutalist renovation for a 4-room HDB in Pasir Ris 

Inspired by fashion designers Rick Owens, Samuel Ross and Tatsuro Horikawa, homeowner Ng Wei Jie took an experimental approach with the design of his home. The interior design concept leans towards brutalist ideas with a modern touch.

Wei Jie, a lighting advisor at Sol Luminaire, introduced lighting that accentuates the spare, minimalist interior spaces. “In terms of aesthetics, I have used seamless and small light fixtures to declutter the ceiling as much as possible,” he says, adding that brighter does not always mean better. The aim was to highlight selected areas instead of flooding the entire home with light.

4-Room HDB Flat

With the help of interior designer Bin from Bud Studio, the layout of this decades-old flat was reworked. The original layout of the 4-room HDB flat presented the rooms in a row on one side of the home. Preferring a spacious unit, the interior design team combined the master bedroom with the adjacent bedroom to create one large space with an open wardrobe. With the revamped layout, the home realises the spacious feel that homeowner Wei Jie envisioned.

The bedroom at the end was opened up to create a study connected to the living area. A large stainless steel shoe rack houses a collection of avant-garde and streetwear shoes.

Stainless Steel Furniture

A lover of raw finishes, homeowner Wei Jie chose stainless steel, concrete and dark wood for the material palette. Loose furniture like the coffee table and side table are made of stainless steel. Furnishings are kept spare, and the Forma Rosa Botryoidal lamp is an unexpected and playful addition. 

Sol Luminaire Lights

Throughout the home, homeowner Wei Jie incorporated the Isa V3 Mini lighting. At 50mm, the ceiling light is unassuming – an ideal match for the interior design concept. Despite its size, it provides robust lighting to highlight feature spots and create shadow play. 

Brutalist Kitchen

In line with the brutalist theme, a concrete kitchen island, which is also for dining, anchors the space. 

Sufficient storage is essential for maintaining the rigorous design concept. Full-height storage units in matte white laminates are designed to be understated and inconspicuous. Even the doors to the service yard and the common bathroom blend with the walls. 

Every element adheres to the material palette. The stainless steel refrigerator matches the kitchen backsplash. The matte white laminates work with the matte finish of the concrete island top. 

Concrete Bed Platform

Another brutalist design idea was the construction of a concrete platform, an unconventional choice in home interior design. The oversized frame and the ledge at the back serve as bedside tables. Like the other areas of the home, cove lighting is layered with the Isa V3 Mini lights. Here, the soft illumination promotes a restful ambience. 

Open Walk-In Wardrobe

The sleek suspended hanging rail extends a boutique-like feel while adhering to the style. Homeowner Wei Jie also opted for the dresser and island unit to be in dark wood finish, giving this open wardrobe a warm ambience.