After living at their detached house in Serangoon Gardens after 20 years, this family decided to rebuild it after its many signs of wear and tear started showing.
Top of their design brief was more storage, followed by a better planning of the spaces so as to draw more light into the home. “The family are certain that they would be living here for many more years, so the new design also had to meet future requirements,” says Matthew Lai, founder of MU Architects.
In one of the bedrooms, a bespoke wardrobe made to look like a Chinese painting was built.
Matthew first tackled the lack of light by inserting a three-storey high atrium at the side of the home. Part of the wall is now made entirely of tall glass windows and sliding doors and instantly the house is brightened. Matthew adds that the new atrium also encourages horizontal and vertical circulation in the house. At night, when the hanging pendant lights are switched on, the atrium takes on a magical feel.
To get from, say, the living to the dining room, the family has to climb a short flight of steps. So too, when they want to get to the four bedrooms. Mr Lai retained the staggered design as a full rebuild would have been costly. With the new open steel staircase, the family can see all the different floors of the 6,400 sq ft house at once - creating a visual connection where each floor felt disconnected before.
The former pitched roofs were replaced with flat roofs, which allowed for higher ceilings and full-height wardrobes. Bigger balconies could also be created, which the family can enjoy. A spacious car porch to meet the needs of the family.
This story was first published in The Business Times. Click here to read the original story.