Nestled within the charming heritage enclave of Tiong Bahru, My urban retreaT is envisioned as a sanctuary away from the fast pace of city living — a home where nature, warmth, and modern resort living come together harmoniously. Designed for a couple building their future family life together, the space embodies the feeling of stepping into a personal holiday retreat, where everyday routines are softened by natural light, rich textures, and calming spatial experiences.
One of the key intentions of the design was to maximize daylight entering through the existing skylight roof. The walk-up apartment’s high ceilings presented an opportunity to sculpt spaces vertically and introduce pitched roof elements inspired by tropical villas and secluded forest retreats, creating a sense of openness and escape throughout the home.
The material palette balances warmth and character through layers of textures and earthy tones. Warm and dark wood finishes, terracotta subway tiles, exposed raw elements, and subtle pops of colour come together to create a home that feels grounded yet comforting.
Upon entering, an existing structural column was transformed into a feature shoe cabinet with display shelving, celebrating the beauty of raw materials through functional design. At the heart of the home lies a skylight courtyard that blurs the boundary between indoors and nature, inviting greenery and daylight into the living space.
Journeying deeper into the apartment, a long exposed brick corridor with soft floor and cove lighting guides one through the home. The master bedroom was designed to evoke the feeling of a secluded forest hut, while the dining area continues the retreat-inspired language through pitched roof skylights and exposed brick elements, creating a quiet urban escape within the city.
