Serlyn Tan · CLIENT: Communique Bold
Cl7A is a residential interior design for a walk-up shophouse apartment in Singapore. The 978 square foot home contains two bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open concept kitchen that flows into the living and dining areas. The pitched ceiling with exposed timber rafters was retained as a signature feature of the original shophouse unit. Polished concrete flooring, warm wood and granite add depth and contrast. Strong architectural lines are balanced by soft drapes and curated artwork. The aged unit was restored while modern comfort was added.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This walk-up apartment in Singapore is designed for someone who loves bringing people together. The open-concept space blends modern elegance with cozy, personal touches, creating an inviting atmosphere perfect for hosting friends and family.
Every detail - from the soft drapes to the curated artwork makes this apartment feel like more than just a space; it’s a home meant for laughter, shared meals, and late-night conversations. - Dimensions & Packaging
- This 978 sqft home offers a perfect blend of comfort and modern living. Featuring 2 spacious bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, it boasts an open-concept kitchen that seamlessly flows into the living and dining areas, creating an inviting and airy atmosphere.
- Tags
- Communique Bold, Home, House, Residential, Interior Design, Architecture, Singapore, Walk-up Apartment, Shophouse, Asian Inspired, Asian, Modern Twist, Modern
- Production Technology
- This home beautifully balances heritage and modernity by retaining the pitched ceiling with exposed timber rafters, a signature feature of a shophouse unit. The use of raw materials, such as polished concrete flooring, adds an industrial edge, while natural elements like warm wood and elegant granite create depth and contrast. The design embraces a masculine aesthetic, with strong architectural lines and bold textures, yet introduces soft, inviting touches that make the space feel welcoming. The result is a refined yet comfortable home that honors its historical charm while embracing contemporary sophistication.
- Design Challenge
- This home renovation is a thoughtful restoration of an aged unit, bringing back its former glamour while preserving its original charm. The design carefully revives existing structures and architectural elements that have deteriorated over the years, breathing new life into the space without erasing its history. By blending restoration with modern enhancements, the home retains its character while embracing a refreshed, sophisticated look—honoring the past while making it functional and beautiful for the present.
- Project Duration
- The project started in September 2019 and finished in October 2020
- Operation Flow
- A sense of warmth and the owner's story and heritage greets you as you enter the space. Once upstairs the high, exposed-beam ceiling gives the room an expansive, almost airy feel. Every detail invites you in, making you feel instantly at home.
The kitchen, with its sleek island and inviting bar stools, feels like the heart of the home. The room is alive—not just with furniture, but with the essence of home. The bookshelf, filled with framed memories and trinkets, whispers stories of the people who live here.
It’s a place that doesn’t just function well—it feels right. A space designed not just for movement, but for moments and life. - Research
- This study explores the integration of heritage architectural elements with contemporary design principles to create a harmonious living space that respects historical integrity while embracing modern functionality. By retaining key structural and aesthetic features of the original architecture, such as exposed beams, the design preserves the cultural and historical essence of the space. Simultaneously, modern interventions, including open-concept layouts, minimalist detailing, and advanced materials, enhance spatial efficiency, sustainability, and user comfort. This approach demonstrates that heritage preservation and modernity are not mutually exclusive but can coexist to produce aesthetically and functionally cohesive living environments. The findings contribute to the growing discourse on adaptive reuse and sustainable architecture, offering a framework for integrating past and present in residential design.
- Inspiration
- This home renovation is a journey of revival, seamlessly blending heritage and elegance. The vision was to restore an aged shophouse unit to its former glamour while respecting its storied past. Careful attention was given to preserving and enhancing existing structures and architectural details that had weathered over time, ensuring that the soul of the home remained intact.
- Image Credits
- Kelvin Yan
- Patents
- Copyrights belong to Serlyn Tan of Communique Bold Pte Ltd, 2025
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