Singapore’s urban landscape is defined by its sleek condominiums, offering stunning views and prime locations. 1 However, the challenge often lies in transforming these standard shells into spaces that truly reflect the unique personalities and lifestyles of their discerning owners – turning a luxurious apartment into a deeply personal sanctuary.
Designed Design Associates (DDA) recently undertook just such a project, tasked with reimagining a high-floor condominium in a prime Singapore district for a client seeking a haven tailored specifically to their sense of peace, comfort, and refined taste.
The Challenge: From Standard Luxury to Personal Haven
The condominium, while offering the inherent advantages of its location and building amenities, presented a typical challenge for luxury residential design: a well-appointed but ultimately generic layout and finish. The existing space lacked a distinct identity, failing to resonate with the client’s desire for a calm, restorative environment that also elegantly accommodated their love for art and quiet contemplation. The primary challenges included:
- A Standard Layout: The existing room divisions and flow were functional but uninspired, not optimized for the client’s specific daily rituals and need for distinct zones of activity and rest.
- Lack of Personalization: High-quality finishes were present, but they were standard developer specifications, lacking the unique textures, colours, and details that would make the space feel truly ‘theirs’.
- Optimizing Light and View: While blessed with views and natural light, the existing configuration didn’t fully capitalize on these assets or control light effectively for different moods and times of day.
- Integrating Personal Collections: The client possessed a valued art collection and specific pieces they wished to integrate seamlessly, requiring thoughtful planning for display and curation.
- Creating a Sense of Sanctuary: The overarching goal was to instill a feeling of calm, tranquility, and deep personal comfort throughout the home, a stark contrast to the bustle of city life outside.
The DDA Approach & Innovative Solutions Implemented
DDA’s process began, as always, with an in-depth client personality study. This was crucial for understanding not just aesthetic preferences, but the client’s lifestyle, routines, values, and what ‘sanctuary’ truly meant to them – focusing on sensory experiences, functional needs, and emotional connections to the space.
Based on these insights, DDA developed a design concept centered on understated luxury, natural textures, curated details, and a serene colour palette. The transformation involved several innovative solutions:
- Spatial Reconfiguration: DDA proposed subtle but impactful changes to the layout. A key innovation involved refining the entrance sequence to create a more graceful transition into the main living area, immediately setting a tone of calm. Sections of non-structural walls were strategically modified to improve flow and create more integrated yet distinct zones for relaxation, dining, and a quiet reading/contemplation corner, without resorting to open-plan monotony.
- Bespoke Joinery & Integrated Display: To address the need for personalized storage and art integration, DDA designed custom built-in joinery throughout the apartment. This included elegant display niches and shelving meticulously planned to house the client’s art and cherished objects, making them integral parts of the architecture rather than mere additions. Hidden storage solutions maintained the minimalist, clutter-free aesthetic essential for a sanctuary feel.
- Layered Lighting Design: Recognizing the importance of light for mood, DDA implemented a sophisticated layered lighting scheme. This combined ambient lighting (soft, general illumination), task lighting (focused light for reading or specific activities), and accent lighting (highlighting art and architectural features). Automated controls allowed the client to adjust lighting levels and scenes to match their mood or time of day, enhancing the sense of sanctuary. Natural light was maximized through careful furniture placement and the use of light-reflecting materials, while automated sheer and blackout blinds offered precise control.
- Refined Material and Colour Palette: The standard finishes were replaced with a carefully curated selection of natural materials – rich wood flooring, subtle stone accents, and textured wall finishes like limewash or specialized paints. The colour palette was deliberately serene, focusing on warm neutrals, soft greys, and muted blues and greens, creating a tranquil backdrop. Pops of deeper, sophisticated colour were introduced through furnishings and art.
- Curated Furniture and Textiles: Furniture pieces were selected or custom-designed for both comfort and form, featuring soft curves and luxurious, tactile fabrics like linen, boucle, and soft leathers. The layering of plush rugs and throws added warmth and acoustic softness, further contributing to the ‘sanctuary’ feel.
Project Outcomes and Client Testimonial
The transformation was profound. The Singapore condominium was successfully converted from a standard luxury dwelling into a deeply personal and tranquil sanctuary. The space now flows effortlessly, each zone serving its purpose while contributing to an overarching sense of calm. The client’s personality is woven into the fabric of the design through integrated collections, bespoke elements, and the curated atmosphere. The strategic lighting and material choices have created a home that feels bright and airy by day, and warm and intimate by night.
The client’s response underscored the success of DDA’s personalized approach:
“Working with DDA was a revelation. They didn’t just renovate our apartment; they listened so intently to how we live and what makes us feel at peace. The result is a home that feels entirely ‘us’. It’s luxurious, yes, but more importantly, it’s incredibly comfortable and calming – a true sanctuary from the city buzz outside. Every detail, from the way our art is displayed to the feel of the materials, feels perfectly right. They truly understood our vision and brought it to life in a way we couldn’t have imagined.”
This project exemplifies DDA’s ability to look beyond the obvious, tackling the inherent challenges of standard spaces to deliver highly personalized, luxurious outcomes. By combining meticulous design methodology, innovative problem-solving, and a deep commitment to understanding the client, DDA continues to transform properties into extraordinary, meaningful homes.