Ensemble makes the most of a split-level apartment floor plan to create zones for display and family connection in a dark and theatrical setting.
June 21st, 2017
Singapore’s older split-level apartments have a spatial quality that can be hard to find in many of today’s optimised condominium towers. The simple staggering of floor levels can open up the potential to use the in-between space as a realm of its own – a zone that separates areas of the home in a way that’s more complex than what a simple door can achieve.
Design studio Ensemble enjoyed the opportunities presented by such an apartment in Katong during a thorough renovation project. The 33-year-old, 2,400-square-foot apartment belongs to a furniture and art collector and his family. The split-level plan allows for a natural separation between shared spaces (on the lower level) and private spaces (on the upper level). A staircase between them is a conduit, a viewing platform and a stage for quiet reflective moments.
Clusters of furniture and other items collected by the client over the years are clustered in groups in an open setting, and are the key focal points in the home. The eclecticism of the collection of furniture, objects and art required a controlled backdrop of colours and materials on the wall and floor surfaces. Cement screed, brick and oak provided a sense of order for the collection beneath a theatrical black ceiling.
The palette of materials, muting the illuminating capacity of natural light as it does, made it necessary to carefully coordinate the artificial lighting. Spotlights on exposed track, focal pendants and a chandelier focus attention on specific areas and clusters of furniture.
The openness of the shared zone was enhanced by the opening up of the kitchen to allow for better interaction between the chef and the rest of the family. An existing column had to be retained, but the area is otherwise open, with a hood doubling up as a surface for the display of art.
Elements such as countertop knobs for taps play on the art theme, giving functional objects a sense of the revered.
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
Create a configuration to suit your needs with this curved collection.
Marylou Cafaro’s first trendjournal sparked a powerful, decades-long movement in joinery designs and finishes which eventually saw Australian design develop its independence and characteristic style. Now, polytec offers all-new insights into the future of Australian design.
Savage Design’s approach to understanding the relationship between design concepts and user experience, particularly with metalwork, transcends traditional boundaries, blending timeless craftsmanship with digital innovation to create enduring elegance in objects, furnishings, and door furniture.
Sub-Zero and Wolf’s prestigious Kitchen Design Contest (KDC) has celebrated the very best in kitchen innovation and aesthetics for three decades now. Recognising premier kitchen design professionals from around the globe, the KDC facilitates innovation, style and functionality that pushes boundaries.
DKO’s Interior Design Director on how to create community and specificity in interior design, and how apartment living is being reconceptualised.
We spoke with Jeffrey Wilkes of WILKESDESIGN about the John Portman-designed building, which has been infused with touches of local culture and colour.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Dallas Rogers, Head of Urban Discipline at the School of Architecture, Design and Planning, University of Sydney, comments on the history of map-making in our cities.
Overcoming pandemic hurdles to redefine guest experiences amidst Sydney’s bustling entertainment precinct, The Darling has undergone a two-year restoration that melds Art Deco interiors with the necessities of hotel living.