Thoughtful remodelling and restoration work unearths the charm of a bungalow built in the eighties
In the midst of the rapid growth and development in capital, preservation does not always happen naturally. Buildings are torn down to make way for new ones that bear no trace of their old structures. Concerned that this architectural amnesia was eroding our heritage, interior designer James Yong took up the challenge to transform a hillside bungalow built in the 1980s while retaining its original character.
The house slants shyly away from the road at a 45-degree angle, resulting in maximised usable building space and added privacy. By contrast, the garden’s design is not what one would call demure. Flamboyant tropical palms in giant pots as well as iconic modern outdoor furniture pieces transform the once unspectacular grounds into a stylish hangout spot.
A fresh white coat of paint cloaks the walls of the house, highlighting the striking geometrical frame previously marred by old, peeling paint as well as time-and weather-dulled exterior finishes. Simple, dark aluminium window frames substitute intimidating gridded metal ones, while small, neatly-arranged paving tiles give the driveway a uniform appearance.
Despite the house’s distinctive outline, its original entrance hardly posed any drama. Before, once occupants and visitors stepped past the door, they immediately found themselves in the main living space. However, the designer added an element of anticipation by creating a corridor extension that functions as an entry foyer.
Several interior walls were torn down to make way for a 12-foot kitchen island-cum-bar area, where food preparation and entertaining activities interweave. Rather than lament the inconvenient existence of immovable structural pillars, the designer found a way to work them into the overall design of the dry kitchen by cladding their surfaces with beautifully-grained veneer.
One of the revamped bungalow’s most noticeable features is the ubiquitous presence of natural light. This is achieved not just by using wall openings, but also by swapping dark or opaque surfaces with transparent or light reflecting ones. For instance, old stair railings were replaced with clear glass panels, further enhancing the airy feel established by bright white walls. Also, an 11-foot mirror in the dining room doubles the amount of light streaming in from full-height folding patio doors.
Glossy Spanish Black Marquina marble carpets the lower ground level. Besides the flooring, furnishings in a colour palette of white, gold and rich wood tones set the ambience of a modern home with a tint of nostalgia. Marble is also used for the dining table, this time in the form of a 10-foot long slab of creamy Turkish Marmara White, well-known for its parallel, layer cake-like veins.
Marmara White marble appears again on the walls and floor of the master bathroom, giving it an opulent look not unlike that of ritzy day spas or hammams. Large windows with frosted glass panes not only direct light indoors but also keep the space well-ventilated and mold-free.
As opposed to the breeziness of the bathroom, the bedrooms and study area on the first level are snug and intimate. This is largely due to the Balau timber flooring and golden oak wooden Venetian window blinds, as well as a tactful placement of veneers; simple and unassuming white oak veneer bring elegance into the study without causing visual distraction while showy purple ray veneer panels compose the wall-sized headboard in the master bedroom.
In a way, it is just as – if not more – challenging to architecturally transport an 80s building into the present while retaining its original skeleton, than it is to build a new one from scratch. Nevertheless, the designer succeeded in seamlessly stitching the old and the new structure together, ultimately resulting in a faithful and contemporary revival of the original architect’s conception.
