Japanese minimalism is a mainstay in the interior design scene in Singapore, and for good reason: it embodies sensibilities that emphasise the beauty of nature and simplicity, and we’re all about that timeless sophistication. After all, you only go all out on a home renovation a few times in your life.
We’ve seen several renditions of the ryokan aesthetic in an HDB flat, but this executive maisonette transformation by Right Angle Studio nailed the brief so well, you’ll believe it’s an upper-class townhouse in a Japanese onsen town.
Here’s what we absolutely love about this home’s transformation:
Wood-clad ceilings and shoji screens everywhere
Image credit: Studio Periphery for Right Angle Studio
Traditional Japanese homes were usually constructed entirely out of wood, so it’s only natural that we see copious amounts of wood all around the home. True to Japanese architecture, you’ll see plenty of wood-clad surfaces, an oak-wood bar counter that pulls double duty as an accent wall feature, and shoji screens on every window of the home.
Image credit: Studio Periphery for Right Angle Studio
Artificial skylight & a planter in the middle of the staircase
Image credit: Studio Periphery for Right Angle Studio
Wood also makes another bold feature in the staircase, where large wooden feature steps extend beyond the length of the staircase to serve as a seating platform or a decorative ledge for more artwork or paraphernalia. Beyond that, they also work wonders to add visual and textural dimension to an otherwise ordinary part of the house.
Image credit: Studio Periphery for Right Angle Studio
Another interesting element of this staircase is the built-in planter that houses a Japanese maple tree that sits squarely in the middle of the base of the stairwell. The wood-clad balustrade also adds a layer of visual interest, and directs your attention upwards to the framed wooden windows on the second floor.
Image credit: Studio Periphery for Right Angle Studio
A mini zen garden balcony feature
Image credit: Studio Periphery for Right Angle Studio
Image credit: Studio Periphery for Right Angle Studio
What we do love about this renovation is the fact that sliding full-length shoji screens demarcate the living area from the balcony, and its mini zen garden. The living area even features a faux fireplace that could have you thinking home, for a second, is somewhere in the lush forests of Karuizawa.
Image credit: Studio Periphery for Right Angle Studio
The balcony is tastefully done with a mini shishi-odoshi, a pebble feature and an everfresh tree—a quintessential Japanese feature to give the place an authentic atmosphere.
Tatami-style bedroom with internal windows
Image credit: Studio Periphery for Right Angle Studio
The bedroom is a modern take on Japanese design with its platform tatami bed, slightly elevated side tables with built-in storage, and a half-wall curved wood feature that makes the home feel like a suite in Tokyo’s Muji hotel.
A tastefully Japanese HDB Maisonette
Whether or not you’re a die-hard Japanophile or just someone who appreciates good interior design, we can all agree that this HDB maisonette’s transformation is not only refined but truly emulates the vibes one gets from being on a holiday in Japan.
Check out Right Angle Studio’s other residential projects, and read some of our other articles:
- Soilboy’s custom Japanese gardens
- HDB flats so Japanese, they could pass off as Tokyo apartments
- What is Japanese Zakka design?
Cover image credit: Studio Periphery for Right Angle Studio
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