A Singapore family built a light-filled home designed for both work and living after years of apartment life, moving into a landed property to create space, light and connection to nature. Their new home balances productivity and peace for two working professionals.
The owners engaged Melvin Keng of Kaizen Architecture to transform the house. It retains its original two-storey structure with a new attic and features clean, orthogonal architectural forms, textured finishes and terracotta-red accents inspired by Mexican architect Luis Barragán.
Each floor serves a distinct purpose: the first storey centres on open common spaces for hosting; the second storey houses the daughters’ en-suite bedrooms; and the attic level is devoted to the master suite and home office
Distinct design moves help elevate the home’s live-work capability. A double-volume void above the dining table connects the second-storey family room to the ground floor, and large sliding glass doors open the dining area to a side garden, creating breezy indoor-outdoor flow.
Work has a clear place in the house. The owner’s study on the attic level overlooks greenery through a band of windows, giving a quiet, private vantage point. The dining table and living area also double as workspaces when needed, meaning the home adapts to the owners’ routines.
Natural light and ventilation play key roles. The designers expanded openings, added a one-metre-deep canopy linking car porch to patio, and introduced lush boundary planting to bring nature in and blur indoor-outdoor boundaries.
Bedroom balconies look out to mature trees and greenery, offering individual outdoor spaces for each daughter. The design borrows views from a nearby condominium landscape, enhancing the sense of openness and retreat. Materials are minimal yet expressive: spray-textured paint, fluted concrete, composite timber planks and terracotta floors create a layered but calming aesthetic. The restrained palette ensures the home remains functional and ‘easy to be in’ during gatherings or everyday living.
For the homeowners, the result is more than a house it’s a workspace, sanctuary and gathering place all in one. The home meets the demands of their professional lives while preserving warmth, connection and moments of calm.
