How This Minimalist HDB In Depot Road Maximised Storage And Open Space
This project garnered the Silver award for Best Residential Design (Apartment), at the IDCS 2020 Design Excellence Awards.
To maximise storage and still have open spaces – that was what the homeowner couple of this three-bedroom Depot Road HDB apartment prioritised. They also wanted to move away from the contemporary rustic wooden theme that many homes steer towards these days, and opt for a modern, monochrome element instead.
To address their design brief, Arche Interior had to plan for a complete transformation, including hacking all removable walls. Although there were challenges with the structural columns that could not be removed, Arche Interior worked around them by completely reconfiguring the home and disguising them in various ways.
The homeowners’ practical sensibilities also came into play, so there are plenty of hidden gems like a concealed bathroom and a countertop that runs all the way from the kitchen to the dining room.
AT A GLANCE
Who lives here: A couple
Size of home: 699 sq ft
Type of home: 3-bedroom HDB apartment
ID: Arche Interior
Website: www.arche.sg
The minimalist living room features clean lines that are easy on the eyes, and a magazine rack on one wall.
In keeping with the minimalist setup, the TV in the living room is ceiling-mounted in the corner, with a recessed niche below for the setup box.
This integrated wall niche next to the living room serves as both a seating area and concealment for the bomb shelter.
Across from the niche is the dining table, which is actually a long countertop that runs from the kitchen. Here, the backlit feature wall provides a focal point for the home and anchors the overall look.
The magazine rack is also within easy reach of the countertop if the homeowners want to read while having a cup of coffee.
Details like the marble veining of the countertop help to lend texture and visual interest to the otherwise monochromatic space.
The long countertop runs from the kitchen to the dining area in a seamless flow, creating both food prep and dining space.
The open concept allows one to see and converse with people in the living room, even if one is cooking in the kitchen.
There are plenty of hidden surprises all over the house, like this bathroom concealed behind a nondescript panel.
Even the vanity table is hidden away beneath a counter, whose top can be lifted to reveal a mirror and storage space.
The bedroom exudes a similarly minimalist and streamlined look.
Text: Melody Bay/Home and Decor