In This Singapore Home, Family History Is Painted into the Architecture
Designed by Mark Yong of PIU Design, this Singapore home transforms a narrow footprint into a warm, collaborative sanctuary, enriched by hand-carved details, vibrant murals and a deep connection to family and community
In the attic space of House on Sennett Avenue, in Singapore’s east, a hand-painted mural, bright and colourful, lines the walls. Illustrated by local duo Ripple Root, the freeform artwork captures the unique family history of the home’s inhabitants. ‘It tells the story of their life,’ says Mark Yong, creative director of PIU Design. ‘It’s immersive; there's a narrative flowing through all of it.’
The design of this home, a project that began as a modest brief to expand the kitchen but then evolved into a holistic architectural reimagining by Yong, is a testament to the fluidity of family life and the importance of community. The project was recommended to Yong through a mutual friend of his and the owners, a neighbour and art curator. Of the family, Yong speaks fondly: ‘They’re a very warm family. They're very welcoming. And the kids have lots of friends coming in and out from the neighbourhood.’ And of the ever-expanding scope, he says, ‘They got so excited about the whole thing!’
The original structure, constrained by a narrow six-metre width and a fragmented split-level ground floor, struggled to accommodate the spatial needs of the growing family. Yong’s primary intervention was structural and clarifying: he levelled the ground-floor plate, erasing awkward steps to create a seamless canvas. This spatial reset allowed for the introduction of a sunken mudroom at the entrance — a practical nod to the American heritage of one of the owners, rare in Singaporean typologies — which resolved storage needs while defining the threshold.
Inside, the fittings and finishes are defined by warm tactility and soft edges, a design response that creates a safe, fluid environment for the children. This softness extends to the crafted elements, most notably in the staircase, where a hand-carved wooden rail twists elegantly through the vertical volume, a feat of local carpentry that anchors the home’s circulation. ‘It had to be handmade,’ recalls Yong. ‘In Singapore, there really aren’t a lot of people who can do this. It’s really something to be admired.’
Materiality in the home is the result of an intensely collaborative dialogue between architect and client. While travelling, the owners were always on the lookout for pieces to fit in the new home. In France, they spotted a ceramic basin they liked for the powder room, and had it shipped back to Singapore. The kitchen, the project’s initial catalyst, features striking green terrazzo countertops sourced from Italy — an homage to the Australian studio Arent & Pyke, whose work inspired the couple, and who also kindly assisted Yong and the owners to source the stone. Elsewhere, joinery finished in blue-dyed wood and handmade glazed tiles from Bangkok glow under the tropical sun.
Beyond aesthetics, the renovation addresses the harsh realities of the tropical climate. Facing the direct western sun, the original facade suffered from intense heat absorption. Yong introduced a timber screen and low-emissivity glass to filter the light, while replacing a reflective carport roof to reduce glare. The result is a residence that is cool on the outside, and yet warmed by family and community inside.
Text by Katherine Ring
Images by Marcus Lim
