Greening the neighbourhood — one house at a time

When Kenneth Lim redeveloped his home and redesigned the garden of his corner terraced house at Jalan Bangsawan in 2006, it was his first project as a self-taught landscape designer and horticulturist.

His neighbours in Opera Estate began to approach him to design their gardens when they, in turn, redeveloped or renovated their own homes. He has designed gardens for at least nine houses along Jalan Bangsawan, and another 15 elsewhere within the Opera Estate precinct. And each of them is unique.

Here is a showcase of some houses which bear Lim’s signature.

Modern tropical-style garden

Lim’s next-door neighbour appointed him to design the garden and his architect, Weng Fong of Design by Weng, to design their new home. The couple wanted a simple and easy-to-maintain tropical concept for the garden with a hint of Bali.

It is a seamless indoor-outdoor space, with the ground-floor living area opening out to a patio overlooking the garden, says Lim.

Modernist terraced house with a pool

This terraced house has a land area of more than 2,300 sq ft. In the latest renovation of the house, Lim increased the density of the greenery along the poolside to soften the dividing wall with the pool. It also provides a pleasing green tapestry when looking out from the living room to the pool deck.

Lim suggested that the owner install a rain chain to allow rainwater to flow smoothly from the gutter down into the collection bowl. The water can then be used to irrigate the plants.

Mediterranean rooftop garden

Lim designed a Mediterranean rooftop garden and landscaping for another corner terraced house in the neighbourhood. The house has a direct view of the Siglap Linear Park behind it.

Other houses that bear Lim’s signature design

These are some of the other houses along Jalan Bangsawan that were transformed through Lim’s landscaping design.

Many of us have a go-to hotel that we frequently return to due to cherished memories and other unexplained reasons. Some may say that the décor plays a significant role in this attraction.

If you relate, you’re not alone. Teresa Unterthiner, owner and general manager of FORESTIS Dolomites, feels the same. Let’s explore décor strategies to rekindle that atmosphere in your living space.

Located atop Palmschoß on the Plose above Brixen at an elevation of 1,800 m, FORESTIS Dolomites is surrounded by a dense mountain forest, offering breathtaking views of the Dolomites Unesco World Heritage Site and the nearby Puez-Geisler Nature Park in South Tyrol, a province in northern Italy.

The unique architecture features three distinctive suite towers inspired by tree trunks of varying heights. These towers are seamlessly integrated with a historic building dating back to 1912, resembling trees reaching towards the sky and harmonising perfectly with the natural surroundings.

All 62 FORESTIS suites are designed with a south-facing orientation, providing abundant sunshine and picturesque views of the Dolomites Unesco World Heritage Site.

The interior design blends sustainable construction techniques, natural materials, light earthy tones and minimalist furnishings, fostering a serene environment immersed in nature.

The expansive FORESTIS Spa, sprawling 2,000 sq m (approximately 21,528 sq ft) beneath the towers, offers guests a distinctive wellness experience with panoramic views of the Dolomites Unesco World Heritage Site. Inspired by ancient Celtic philosophy, which revered the forest and nature as sacred guides, it provides a unique retreat. Here, Unterthiner demonstrates how to replicate a hotel-like atmosphere in your home.

What key elements in a hotel’s design and atmosphere could be replicated in a home setting?

Like a home, a hotel, or, in our case, our hideaway, FORESTIS is a house that needs to be filled with life. That life primarily comes from the people who are inside. Creating a beautiful interior and interplay between the exterior and room is crucial for them to be happy. It is all about materials, colours, lightning and smell when creating a beautiful luxury environment for a home and a hotel.