Ming Architects Tatler Feature

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PANACHE CHARMING INTERIORS THAT ARE PERFECT FOR STYLISH LIVING

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MOST INFLUENTIAL IN SINGAPORE DESIGN HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MILAN FURNITURE FAIR

S A N C T UA R I E S SINGAPOR E

CLASSICAL REDUX

BY LYNN TAN PHOTOGRAPHY BOONWEI OTHER IMAGES COURTESY OF MING ARCHITECTS

ARCHITECT TAN CHER MING’S APPROACH TO CONTEMPORISING AN EXISTING NEOCLASSICAL STYLE GOOD CLASS BUNGALOW IS ALL ABOUT RESPECT

The irregular design of the outdoor pool area helps to soften the straight lines that run throughout the architecture

S A N C T UA R I E S SINGAPOR E

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he homeowners have been residing in this Good Class Bungalow since their return to Singapore back in 1999. However, after more than a decade, they recently decided it was time to refurbish the home.

“While rebuilding would have been an easier option, we decided to go for an Additions and Alterations (A&A) as we wanted to retain the property’s neoclassical architecture with its stately columns and decorative mouldings,” say the homeowners.

They also wanted to maintain the current balance between house, land and pool, as well as the existing interior where the second storey overlooks the double volume entrance hall and living room.

RESEARCH WORK

The homeowners visited houses under construction and newly completed projects to better understand their needs for their own space. In addition, they also kept a look out for architects whom they thought would

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ABOVE Tan Cher Ming OPPOSITE PAGE The grand look of the entrance foyer and main living area was retained to preserve the stately feel of the home

“We wanted to retain the neoclassical architecture with its stately columns and decorative mouldings.�

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OPPOSITE PAGE The expansive space is further enhanced by the use of white marble; Modern additions, such as the lift and wine cellar, were added to the dining area THIS PAGE Acrylic rods holding the wine bottles in the cellar project a modern look; Well-lit corners offer space for thought and contemplation

be able to match their expectations. They felt that young professionals are sometimes not given sufficient opportunities to demonstrate their capabilities, so when they visited a newly completed home that was designed by Tan Cher Ming, principal architect at Ming Architects, they decided to entrust their project to him.

“We were impressed by the house, and his openness and willingness to explore new ideas won us over,” the homeowners recall.

For Tan, the project was about enhancing the current design while maintaining a sense of respect for the existing architecture. “I set out to try and improve upon it rather than fight with it,” he explains.

SPRUCING UP

Tan added a new chandelier outside the main entrance, which comprises a series of cascading cylindrical forms. Seen from ground level, the lighting design injects a contemporary touch without disturbing the symmetry and formality of the two-storey neoclassical columns and pediment roof of the car porch.

A sweeping glance from the entrance hall to the living room, all the way across to the dining room gives a sense of how Tan has managed to harmonise new and old. The existing mouldings along the second storey that overlooks the first storey were restored and the sculptural form of the staircase has been retained. But the original timber balustrades have been replaced with an elegant wrought iron railing with an intricate spiral motif that extends from the staircase all the way up along the second storey, framing the view when looking up the double volume space.

The stair core was previously rather dimly lit so Tan added crystal marble panels to the curved wall alongside the staircase which bring in diffused light. singapor e tatler homes

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GET THE LOOK Textures are essential in a monochromatic setting. Here, the marble grains and intricate panel design help to add character to the entertainment room.

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT An island next to the pool terrace allows the adults to prepare meals while watching over the children playing outside; The black cabinet panels provide an interesting contrast to the space; Antique collectibles add a punch of colour to the black and white palette; The casual family den on the upper level of the home

NEW INPUT

The lift and wine cellar are new additions to meet the homeowners’ requirements. Tan adopted a totally contemporary language using glass and metal to create elements that are sleek and almost minimalist. The wine cellar located beside the dining room is a glass enclosure set against a crystal marble backdrop. It is quite a spectacular installation, yet this modern addition blends well rather than clash with the original architecture.

“We wanted an island in the dry kitchen that we can use for cooking and entertaining small groups,” say the homeowners.

What Tan did was to design an island using a Midnight Forest marble with dramatic veins that create a focus for the dry kitchen against a more toned down palette of dark veneers and stainless steel. The dry kitchen is one of the homeowners’ favourite spaces within the home. “Since the addition of the island, we’ve had many meals with family members and close friends around it,” they say.

The dry kitchen and dining room look out onto the pool where a new garden pavilion has been erected. Its octagonal shape complements the main house and it is perfect for parties around the pool, especially when singapor e tatler homes

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the homeowners’ two sons, who live in the US, visit with their families in tow. “Our four grandchildren can have their snacks in the garden pavilion while watching their favourite television programme without having to change out of their swimming attires,” share the homeowners.

LUXURY REST

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brief

The master bedroom on the second storey used to be one big room but Tan proposed a new hotel suite concept comprising a master living, pantry, walk-in closet, master bedroom and master bathroom that appealed to the well-travelled homeowners. The doors to the walk-in closet and master bathroom have been designed as part of a feature wall made up of Medium-Density Fibreboard (MDF) panels and hand polished to an intricately-designed geometric motif that increases in density from top to bottom. Thai floral motifs can be found on the wooden cabinets and panels in the master bathroom.

All these showcase the level of detailing that Tan invested into the design of every component within the house.

A new structure was erected over the existing car porch at the rear of the house

TYPE OF HOME Good Class Bungalow SIZE OF PROPERTY 17,000 sq ft SIZE OF BUILT-UP AREA 10,800 sq ft FAMILY MEMBERS 2 ARCHITECT/ INTERIOR DESIGNER Tan Cher Ming, Ming Architects TIME TAKEN 16 months

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THIS PAGE Concealed lighting helps to soften the look of the bedroom; The basin in this powder room was carved from a single block of crystal glass OPPOSITE PAGE The outdoor pavilion is equipped with an outdoor kitchen and sofa; Outdoor living in this home means creating ample areas for the family to spend time in out of the main house

to accommodate a home theatre. “From the exterior, this appears totally modern because I perceive the home theatre as an ultra-modern space,” explains Tan. The home theatre is equipped with a Bang&Olufsen television and sound system, remote-controlled black-out drapes and lighting system, all of which have been designed to enhance the visual and acoustics effect comparable to a luxury cinematic experience. Sliding panels screen the television off when not in use and again, the patterns on the screen were specially designed to complement the marble wall behind. Tan even went as far as to study how the patterns would work when the panels overlap.

The A&A has given the homeowners the opportunity to modify their existing home to better reflect their tastes and suit their lifestyle. What made the project even more memorable was the interactions with the team of consultants and contractors. “We chose to be very hands-on. Through weekly site meetings and updates, we learnt about the issues that may arise in the building process, and understood more about materials and costs,” say the owners.

The A&A has given the homeowners the opportunity to modify their existing home to better reect their tastes and suit their lifestyle.

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SHOPPING GUIDE

STORE DIRECTORY FOR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE A APS Lifestyle 9 Muthuraman Chetty Road APS Building, Level 1 Tel: 6233 0593 apslifestyle.com Arthur Price (Available at Robinsons) The Heeren 260 Orchard Road Tel: 6735 8838 robinsons.com.sg

B Bathroom Gallery 25 Changi South Avenue 2 Level 1 & 2 Tel: 6546 5900 bathroomgallery.com.sg Bottega Veneta ION Orchard 2 Orchard Turn, #1-04A Tel: 6238 0020 bottegaveneta.com

C Christofle 581 Orchard Road Hilton Singapore #02-11/12 Tel: 6733 7257 christofle.com

D Dream 456 River Valley Road Tel: 6235 0220 dream.com.sg

GF+A Global 24 Mohamed Sultan Road Tel: 6222 2112 gfaglobal.com

H Hansgrohe 69 Mohamed Sultan Road Tel: 6884 5060 hansgrohe.com.sg

Lladró Paragon Shopping Centre 290 Orchard Road, #04-51 Tel: 6738 3900 lladro.com

Hermès Liat Towers Level One, #01-02A 541 Orchard Road Tel: 6738 9807 hermes.com

Luzerne (Available at Metro) #01-14, 176 Orchard Road Tel: 6788 3322 luzerne.com

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Journey East #03-02 Tan Boon Liat Building Tel: 6473 1693 journeyeast.com

Macsk 63 Mohamed Sultan Road #01-14 Tel: 6443 2282 macsk.com

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Marquis QSquare 16 Tai Seng Street, Level 1 Tel: 6383 0119 marquis.com.sg

King Living 22 Kallang Avenue #01-00 Hong Aik Building Tel: 6805 4198 kingliving.com.au

L Lasvit 75 Neil Road Tel:6542 9422 lasvit.com

F Franz 137 Telok Ayer Street #01-01A Tel: 6536 4889 franzcollection.com

G Gamut 315 Outram Road #07-07 Tan Boon Liat Building Tel: 6227 1007 Grohe Live! Center 180 Clemenceau Avenue #01-01/02 Haw Par Centre Tel: 6311 3611 grohe.sg vibia.com

Lifestorey 1 Kim Seng Promenade #02-15 Great World City Tel: 6732 7362 lifestorey.com

GO TO

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Miele Experience Centre 167 Penang Road #B01-01 Winsland House II Tel: 6735 1191 miele.sg

Million Lighting 203 Kallang Bahru Tel: 6743 2033 millionlighting.com Ming Architects 267 Tembeling Road Tel: 6203 0273 mingarchitects.com Minotti 30 Hill Street, #01-02 Tel: 6338 2822 marquis.com.sg M Social 90 Robertson Quay Tel: 6206 1888 msocial.com.sg

O Om 177 River Valley Road Liang Court, #02-24 Tel: 6837 0060 om-home.com

P Proof Living 2 Orchard Turn #04-16, ION Orchard Tel: 6509 0555 proof.com.sg

Villeroy & Boch 15 Stamford Road Arcade L1-74/76 Capitol Piazza Tel: 6384 7309 villeroy-boch.com.sg

The Rug Maker 1093 Lower Delta Road #02-20 Mapletree Industrial Tel: 6270 2823 therugmaker.com.sg

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Romero Britto britto.com

W.Atelier 75 Bukit Timah Road #01-02 Boon Siew Building Tel: 6735 6546 watelier.com

Royal Albert Household Department, B1, Takashimaya Shopping Centre 391 Orchard Road, WAL Associates Ngee Ann City 46 Kim Yam Road heapseng.com Unit 05-07 The Herencia Tel: 6225 3562 S wala.com.sg Space Furniture 77 Bencoolen Street Wedgwood Tel: 6415 0000 Isetan Scotts spacefurniture.com.sg Level 4, Household Department Spin Fans 350 Orchard Road 994 Bendemeer Road #05-01 heapseng.com Tel: 6298 1038 spinfans.com.sg X Xtra Stylemart Bridal 9 Penang road 151 Selegie Road #01-01 Park Mall Little India Tel: 6336 0688 Tel: 6338 2073 xtra.com.sg

T V Valcucine Singapore 182 Clemenceau Ave Tel: 6278 9118 valcucine.com

The Mill 21 Orchard Boulevard, Park House #01-25 Tel: 6383 3333 theiddept.com

XZQT Triple One 111 Somerset Road #01-14/15 TripleOne Somerset Tel: 6238 8233 xzqt.com.sg