Moh Guan Terrace

This apartment in Tiong Bahru was crafted with the intention of fostering a mindful, slow-paced lifestyle. The homeowner aimed to create a space where one can relax, appreciate the environment, and embrace imperfections. Appropriately named “The Slow,” this bachelor pad, located in a conserved walk-up in Tiong Bahru, is designed for a simpler, more sustainable, and meaningful way of living.

The apartment’s layout underwent a complete transformation, flipping 180 degrees—what was once public became private, and vice versa. “The original layout was a typical reflection of its era, with the living room intentionally separated from the kitchen, which was then viewed as a utilitarian space, hidden from guests.”

Now, the kitchen is the heart of the home, where most time is spent. The triangular layout was reimagined to highlight this, with the kitchen, living, and dining areas arranged in an open-plan design that opens onto a terrace, offering views of the charming neighborhood.

Two bedrooms and a study occupy the middle and apex of the triangle, including the main bedroom, which wraps around the building’s central lightwell. At the tip, a door leads from the guest bedroom to the distinctive spiral staircase characteristic of pre-war Tiong Bahru blocks, providing both privacy and independence from the rest of the apartment.

The original geometric mosaic tiles on the balcony were preserved, and in the living room, the original brickwork was exposed before being covered with plasterwork. A “scaffold” framework of metal and joinery was then placed in front.

Wrought iron grilles, commonly seen on the front doors of Tiong Bahru apartments, were reinterpreted by the owner’s interior designer, who abstracted their design and imprinted it onto a raw steel door that was then placed over the existing timber door.

Throughout the rest of the apartment, the owner chose elemental materials like steel, concrete, stone, and timber, keeping them as raw as possible. This choice aligns with his vision to showcase the inherent beauty of materials and spaces in their most unembellished, natural state.

And indeed, the space seems best appreciated at a leisurely pace.