June 25, 2020

Spacedge Designs Creates a High Design Public Housing Flat with an Unconventional Layout

Instead of doors, Chan removed all the internal walls and created a bespoke space with zones for his client to play, work, sleep, cook, and bathe without any sort of physical or visual dividers. Photography by VC. 

“High design” and “public housing flat” are two phrases not usually mentioned in the same breath. However, Singapore-based designer William Chan of Spacedge Designs readily dispelled that myth with his project, Alex, a 506-square-foot, two-room public housing flat that exudes aspirational design at every turn. Chan transformed the unit into a minimalist bachelor pad for his client, Alex, by taking the apartment’s standard layout and totally reimagining it. “I broke the mold and re-engineered the space to optimize it in a way that made sense for Alex and his lifestyle.” This included creating zones for his client to play, work, sleep, cook, and bathe—even carving out a small space for the homeowner’s hobby: building Lego Architecture Series Models. “The design might seem simple and straightforward,” says Chan, “but there is a sense of wonder and delight when one explores the home, uncovering all the secret functions hidden behind all the closed doors.”

Although the design seems simple, the construction required a high level of craftsmanship and attention to detail. Photography by VC. 
The blue lounge chair, Eugene, is by one of Chan’s favorite designers Stefan Diez for e15. Chan also added bespoke touches that do double duty as artwork, such as a spray-painted neon orange coin bank that hangs on the wall and meets Feng Shui requirements and customized lighting in the form of a 32mm round blue metal tube that runs from wall to wall. Photography by VC. 
Chan’s mantra was “less is more” and he focused on only including the essentials. Photography by VC. 
Every element in the apartment has been carefully assessed and curated, taking into account the homeowner’s specific lifestyle and the day-to-day usage of the home. Photography by VC. 
Storage lines the corridors. Photography by VC. 
The vanity, wardrobe, and shower are tucked into one zone. Photography by VC. 
The flat also came with a standard bomb shelter for wartime emergencies, commonly used as a storage room. Chan converted the space into a Lego gallery with backlit shelving for his client to both build and display his creations. Photography by VC. 
The bathroom melds seamlessly with the rest of the home. Photography by VC. 

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