356 Woodlands Ave 5

Alvin Kang

KEY VISUAL STYLE
Modern Luxury with Warm Mid-Century Accents

THE DESIGN CHALLENGE
Integrating vertical circulation across a dual-level HDB layout, while maximising daylight transmission from the balcony into the deep ground-floor communal zones.

THE BRIEF & COLLABORATION
Architectural Elevation: Redefining the Split-Level HDB Footprint

When dealing with a rare double-storey HDB maisonette in Singapore, the primary architectural mission is to create a seamless visual connection between the lower social hub and the upper private quarters. For this project, Vitas Design SG collaborated closely with the homeowners to tear down the visual barriers typical of older executive flats. The objective was to replace compartmentalised rooms with an expansive, flowing floor plan that maximises natural cross-ventilation and light propagation. By treating the staircase not just as a thoroughfare, but as a central design sculpture, our team co-created a home that balances grand scale with functional intimacy.

STEP-BY-STEP SPATIAL WALKTHROUGH: An Intentional Journey
1. THE LOWER COMMUNAL HUB: Entryway, Living Lounge, and Display Gallery
An expansive layout grounded by custom carpentry and layered ceiling profiles establishes an immediate sense of arrival.

Stepping onto the ground level immediately reveals the impact of well-proportioned geometry. The main living lounge features full-height custom carpentry that runs flush against the boundary wall, balancing hidden storage with open display niches. A sleek digital media display is framed by warm, concealed perimeter LED strip lighting built into the tray ceiling, casting a soft glow that eliminates harsh shadows.

Deep, low-slung leather sofas sit on top of patterned rugs that anchor the seating arrangement, maintaining clear sightlines toward the far windows. Further along the pathway, a custom floor-to-ceiling glass display cabinet showcases the client’s collection of memorabilia, utilising internal spot-lighting to turn a transition corner into an engaging visual gallery. For the family, this zone serves as an expansive social foundation designed for hosting and daily relaxation.

2. THE TRANSITIONAL DINING CORE: Open Breakfast Bar & Social Anchor
Bridging the gap between meal preparation and casual entertaining through linear structural design.

Moving deeper into the lower floor brings you to the social heart of the maisonette. The formal dining table steps down into a long, integrated breakfast bar and island counter, capped with a durable white stone surface. Upholstered high-backed bar stools sit along the island, inviting family members to chat with the cook during food prep.

The suspended ceiling profile follows the exact shape of the counter below, anchoring this zone visually without the need for solid walls. Beyond the bar, wide internal thoroughfares maintain open view lines that slice from the rear utility zones all the way back to the main living area, maximising the sense of open space.

3. CULINARY RIGOR: The Heavy Kitchen & Wet Bar Prep Stations
Concealed engineering and premium textures combine to handle high-volume cooking with absolute cleanliness.

Passing through the utility zone leads you into the primary culinary workspaces. The parallel galley kitchen features custom cabinetry finished in a warm, textured wood laminate, topped with seamless quartz workspace counters. Bright under-cabinet LED task lighting illuminates the long prep tracks, ensuring excellent visibility during cooking.

Every major kitchen appliance is built flush into the millwork, hiding structural bulk and keeping the central aisle clear. Vitas Design SG also incorporated a dedicated wet bar and secondary beverage station right outside the main kitchen, keeping drink prep out of the primary cooking zone and streamline hosting flow.

4. VERTICAL TRANSIT & THE UPPER PRIVATE QUARTERS: Bedrooms, Family Study, and Baths
A deliberate shift into rich textures and vertical lines signals the transition to deep rest.

The maisonette’s unique charm is anchored by its vertical connectivity. The central staircase features solid timber steps and dark iron balustrades, turning a basic functional element into a striking architectural detail. On the upper landing, a private family study lounge provides an intimate space for remote work and reading.

Large windows are fitted with adjustable venetian blinds to fine-tune daylight throughout the day. The adjacent private bedrooms feature custom integrated beds, desks, and floating side tables that save valuable floor space, using warm tones and soft wallpapers to create a relaxing environment tailored to each family member.

MATERIALS & ACCENTS SPOTLIGHT: The Textural Narrative
The material choices across this maisonette balance heavy-duty durability with warm visual textures. Rich timber tones—used on the staircase treads, kitchen base units, and custom feature wall panels—provide a natural warmth that grounds the home. These elements are contrasted against vinyl flooring on the lower deck and pristine quartz countertops that bounce ambient light deep into the floor plan. Fine details like slim black metal framing on the staircase balustrade and clean handles give the entire property a sharp, contemporary edge.

THE VITAS DIFFERENCE: Tailored Spatial Clarity
Double-storey HDB maisonettes present unique architectural opportunities that cannot be fulfilled with generic design templates. This complete transformation highlights the core philosophy at Vitas Design SG: delivering highly tailored execution that respects budget, fulfills timelines, and elevates the daily living experience. By treating the split-level floor plan as a continuous canvas and utilising custom carpentry to maximise utility, we have crafted a space that balances functional precision with human comfort.

BEGIN YOUR TRANSFORMATION JOURNEY
Ready to reimagine the potential of your property or commercial space? Let’s design a environment tailored precisely to your life.

We invite you to visit our experiential design studio to view detailed material collections and consult directly with our interior design team.
• Studio Showroom: One Commonwealth, 1 Commonwealth Lane, #03-21, Singapore 149544
• Direct Enquiries: caroletan@vitasdesignsg.com | +65 9166 1998