House Tour: Sleek and streamlined four-bedroom penthouse condominium in Upper Bukit Timah
By Home & Decor Team -
This four-bedroom penthouse in Upper Bukit Timah is home to a couple in their late 40s and their teenage son. In the couple’s brief to Metaphor Studio, their request was to open up the spaces within the 2,875sqf unit where the family could interact and spend time together. The homeowners felt that the existing layout was too rigid and compartmentalised. They also found the route from the entrance to the kitchen somewhat impractical.
Within an open plan, the use of materials, colours, lines and even ceiling design can help to define a space.
With this in mind, the design team set out to create greater physical and visual connectivity between various spaces. Walls were demolished and replaced with sliding glass panels that could be closed to provide spatial segregation when desired. Even when shut, these glass panels maintain visual porosity and dialogue between the areas.
A carefully orchestrated composition of materials comprising travertine and wood laminate on carpentry, together with marble flooring and slate stone strips accented by wallpaper and mirrors, creates a harmonious yet interesting engagement within this residence.
The living room, dining room and kitchen have a unified look achieved by the use of travertine laminate as the dominant material. Articulated in a linear fashion, it ties the spaces together.
The kitchen walls were hacked to create an open-concept layout. This entailed meticulous space planning, especially within the service zone – including the wet kitchen, laundry yard and utility room – to ensure that it would fulfi l both practical and aesthetic requirements. The glass panels around the wet kitchen also play a crucial role by keeping cooking fumes away from other parts of the home.
Top-hung display shelves take advantage of the ceiling space while injecting an element of interest within the bedroom.
All the built-in furniture within the home was customised by Metaphor Studio, complemented by pieces from Xtra and Space.
A similar suspended lighting detail continues into the living and dining rooms, where a unique ceiling light tray that provides both up- and downlighting ties the spaces together. Theses two spaces open out onto a veranda-like balcony that extends the sense of connectedness towards the landscape. Blinds provide screening against glare and light showers, while still allowing natural ventilation.
As seen in the 2018 edition of Home & Decor Designer Showcase. Click here for a free copy.