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HDB began building Maisonettes in the early 1980s to cater to an increasingly affluent middle class who desired more space and a clearer separation between public and private living.
HDB 5-room Maisonette
The primary appeal was the internal staircase. In a typical HDB Maisonette, the first floor contains the living area, dining hall, kitchen, and sometimes a utility room or guest bathroom. The second floor is dedicated to the bedrooms (usually three), providing a level of privacy that single-level flats could not match.
HDB Executive Maisonette
HDB introduced the “Executive Maisonette” to replace the older 5-room maisonettes. These were larger, typically ranging from 143 to 160 sqm (approx. 1,540 to 1,722 sq ft).
HDB Executive Apartment
HDB ceased the construction of maisonettes in 1995, pivoting toward the Executive Apartment (EA)—a single-level flat of similar size—and eventually the Executive Condominium (EC) scheme. The government decided that the “landed” style of maisonettes was too land-inefficient for Singapore’s long-term urban planning.
A $90,000 HDB Maisonette design
This $90,000 renovation of a 1,570 sq ft HDB Executive Maisonette in Hougang transforms a decades-old apartment into a bold, raw, and unapologetically industrial sanctuary.
Designed by the homeowners themselves—an architectural designer and a designer—the project leans heavily into a “brutalist” aesthetic, celebrating the flat’s original structural “bones.”
The defining highlight is the treatment of the walls and ceilings; instead of hiding imperfections under plaster, the owners opted for a cement-screed finish and exposed electrical conduits, creating a high-contrast backdrop for their curated collection of vintage furniture and art.
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Staircase leading to the second floor in this 1,614 sq ft HDB executive maisonette at Bedok Reservoir.
$120,000 HDB Maisonette Design
This $120,000 renovation of a 1,614 sq ft HDB Executive Maisonette in Bedok Reservoir successfully modernises a 40-year-old apartment into a bright, child-friendly family home.
Designed by Harshita Agarwal of Distinct Identity for expatriate couple Charmaine and Mike, the renovation focused on a “low maintenance” and minimal aesthetic.
Low maintenance kitchen design for this 1,614 sq ft Bedok Reservoir Maisonette.
A major structural highlight is the reconfiguration of the entrance and kitchen; by hacking existing walls and moving the main door outwards, the designer created an open-concept flow that immediately reveals a welcoming kitchen island and pantry, keeping household clutter tucked away.
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The inviting living room showcases a multifunctional sofa from Cellini, thoughtfully selected for its integrated side shelf that provides convenient storage for the children’s books.
$130,000 HDB Maisonette Renovation in Whampoa
This $130,000 renovation of a HDB Executive Maisonette in Jalan Rajah transforms a Balestier apartment into a stunning industrial-style haven.
Designed by Free Space Intent, the project boldly embraces raw urban elements, turning typically concealed features like exposed trucking and electrical wires into deliberate design statements.
The living area is anchored by a multi-functional sofa featuring integrated shelving for the children’s books, set against a backdrop of unrefined surfaces and vibrant cushions that introduce a necessary touch of warmth and comfort.
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A couple, their baby boy and two cats lives in this HDB Executive Maisonette at Tampines Street 12 (1,679 sq ft) designed by Douglas, co-founder of The Merry Men Interiors.
$164,000 HDB Maisonette Renovation in Tampines
This $164,000 renovation of a 1,679 sq ft HDB Executive Maisonette in Tampines Street 12 transforms a standard flat into a refined sanctuary inspired by Parisian apartments.
Designed by Douglas, co-founder of The Merry Men Interiors, for homeowners Ronald Wan and Rachel Ong, the project is a contemporary reimagining of a French villa.
The aesthetic is dominated by a sophisticated palette of white, off-white, and cream, punctuated by elegant wainscoting and herringbone wood vinyl flooring that add a touch of architectural refinement and symmetry to the vast living area.
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Living room and staircase in a HDB Executive Maisonette along Woodlands Drive for a family of 5.
$180,000 Colonial HDB Maisonette Design
This $180,000 renovation of a 1,550 sq ft HDB Executive Maisonette in Woodlands Drive transforms a 20-year-old flat into a tropical colonial-style sanctuary for a family of five.
Designed by Cheryl Gay of Coterie Design, the renovation involved extensive structural changes to accommodate three teenagers and the parents’ love for hosting.
Kitchen and dining area in a HDB Executive Maisonette along Woodlands Drive for a family of 5.
The original “granny room” by the entrance was demolished to create an expansive foyer with a chandelier and arched mirrored cabinets, which can double as an additional hosting area for large groups.
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Living room in a HDB Executive Maisonette in Pasir Ris. $350,000 Renovation for a 50s bachelor’s HDB Executive Maisonette in Pasir Ris
$350,000 HDB Maisonette Design
This $350,000 renovation of a 1,603 sq ft HDB Executive Maisonette in Pasir Ris serves as a bespoke, lifelong sanctuary for a 50-year-old bachelor, David Ng, and his parents.
A façade consultant by profession, David self-designed the entire home, meticulously planning every detail to accommodate his massive collections of amethyst crystals, rare stone figurines, and stamps.
Glass wall display cabinet houses the homeowner's crystal collection in a HDB Executive Maisonette in Pasir Ris.
The high-budget project involved gutting the 36-year-old flat to replace all essential fittings and reconfiguring the layout—most notably extending the living room by repositioning the balcony door and transforming two second-storey bedrooms into a cohesive master suite with a cinematic projection system.
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