Kathryn Goh’s customers came to her with a rather simple directive: design a sleek, minimalist space that reflects their modern design aesthetic. “My customers really reflect the youthful Singaporean professional set. They work hard, traveling a lot, and if they’re in the home they need things to be simple, orderly and hassle free,” says Goh, of Black N White House.
at a Glance
Who lives here: A young professional couple
Location: Bishan, Singapore
Size: 1,200 square feet
That is intriguing: The unit is considered public housing (called HDB apartments).
Black N White House
The couple’s home office reflects their minimalist leanings. “Everything has its place,” says Goh. The timber shutters usually stay closed during the day to prevent the glaring sunlight from heating the room. Singapore’s warmth and humidity contributes most visitors to invest in central air conditioning; Goh’s customers are no exception.
Black N White House
HDB apartments were introduced with the Singaporean Housing and Development Board (hence the acronym). It’s important to be aware that, unlike in the USA, about 85 percent of Singaporeans live in public housing that they have, in self-contained cities with their own schools, groceries, hospitals, food centers and recreational facilities. As Singapore settles into its function as one of the most economically stable and respected nations in the world, high-end HDB improvements, like the one in which Goh’s customers live, are sprouting up.
Black N White House
“My customers reside in an up-market HDB development that reflects the current times. Typically and traditionally, HDB buildings were pretty nondescript blocks of units,” says Goh. The middle burnt-orange and caked construction in this photo typifies some of the older structures.
Black N White House
“As you can see, the few specified that they love the contrast of black and white colors, with neutral shades of beige and gray included in their color palette,” Goh says. “They wanted a space that represented their upward mobility and their sensibility to get a more international, modern design aesthetic.”
Black N White House
The floating closets in the entry were custom created by Black N White House. They store shoes and other items.
Black N White House
Black N White House
Another set of floating closets, mounted on the wall opposite the entryway, homes the couple’s pub, entertaining and coffee accoutrements. Goh sourced décor that adds softness and curves into the differently lean and angular space: a round dining table, shaped seats, a curved mirror installation and a triangular coffee table with curved edges.
Black N White House
Although Singapore is known for its affordable hawker stalls (outside food courts serving internationally renowned Malay, Chinese and Indian food) and world-class cuisine, the lady of the home sometimes decompresses by baking and cooking in her kitchen. Although compact, the kitchen has what she needs.
Black N White House
“Space restriction is obviously an issue in HDB apartments as the government scrambles to construct an increasing number of units for people,” says Goh. “But I think we were able to present our customers the modern unit of their dreams within a doable budget and within the limitations of the distance.”
More:
5 Smashing White and Black Homes
Black and White Rooms
So Your Design Is: Contemporary
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