SINGAPORE (EDGEPROP) - When Designworx Interior Consultant’s design director Terri Tan first entered the four-bedroom condominium unit at Corals at Keppel Bay, she was wowed by the uninterrupted view of the sea and passing yachts entering the Marina at Keppel Bay. The orientation of the second-floor unit also ensures privacy for the new homeowner.
At 3,300 sq ft, the four-bedroom unit at Corals has a generous size compared to most other four-bedroom units today, says Tan. The unit also enjoys abundant natural light from the windows and full-height glass sliding doors. The absence of bay windows further increases the spatial efficiency of the unit, she adds.
Corals at Keppel Bay’s developer Keppel Land commissioned Designworx to provide interior design, fitting, and furnishing work on a turnkey basis for all the spaces and rooms of the bare four-bedroom unit. The unit will be sold with all its furnishing and fittings worth $500,000. “The future owner can move in immediately with their suitcases,” says Tan.
The interior design firm took two weeks to conceptualise the design and another six weeks for the renovation. The unit was handed over to the developer just last month.
The circle symbol is carried throughout the show suite — from the private lift lobby to the living and dining areas and the bedrooms. It can be seen in the design features and accessories, like the bespoke round wall mirror in the living room (Photo: Designworx)
Tan chose the circle as the central element for the interior design of the condominium unit at Corals. The design concept was inspired by the Chinese phrase 圆圆满满, which translates to “good and well”. Tan believes the circle is also “an auspicious yet subtle symbol of harmony and perfection”.
The circle symbol is carried throughout the show suite — from the private lift lobby to the living and dining areas and the bedrooms. It can be seen in the design features and accessories, like the bespoke round wall mirror in the living room, the brass mesh hanging light, and the round dining table.
Even the cove ceiling lighting has rounded corners in keeping with the theme. Designworx also curated a selection of wall art and framed several designer scarves to create a luxurious feel that would appeal to a broad base yet retain a distinctive look.
The 366-unit Corals designed by world-renowned Studio Libeskind was completed in 2016. The 11 blocks range from four- to 12-storeys and are arranged in a V-shape to maximise the sea views. They have a unique undulating wave-like façade. The result is that every unit in the development is different, says Tan. “The circular elements of the interiors are a counterpoint to the wave-like facade,” she adds.
Designed by Libeskind Studio, Corals at Keppel Bay has a unique undulating wave-like façade. The circular elements of the interiors are a counterpoint to the facade (Photo: Albert Chua/EdgeProp Singapore)
Sustainability was at the core of Studio Libeskind’s design for Corals. Highlights include double-glazed glass throughout the development, solar panels, reflective pools, the landscaped roof of the clubhouse, rainwater collection filtration and a recycling system.
Designworx did not undertake any significant renovations but retained the original layout of the unit. Tan says recent studies have shown that home renovations produce significant waste — an average of 27kg psf. “As the unit at Corals is new, and the kitchen and bathroom configurations were functional and practical, we decided against remodelling these spaces.”
The kitchen is fully fitted with Poliform Italian designer cabinets and top-of-the-line French brand De Dietrich appliances from oven, hob and hood to refrigerator and freezer. The bathroom fixtures and fittings boast an international brand line-up with Swiss brand Geberit, Japanese brand Toto and Italian brand Zuchetti.
When designing luxurious interiors, balance is essential, adds Tan. “Too much customised furniture or built-in storage can sometimes give the impression that a unit is small,” she continues. “The challenge was balancing functionality in terms of storage solutions and aesthetics.”
The brass mesh pendant light and the round dining table accentuate the circle theme (Photo: Designworx)
Designworx custom-designed the shoe cabinet in the private lift lobby, the super king-sized bed frame and headboard in the master bedroom, and the single bed frames, long headboard, twin study desk and shelving unit in the children’s bedroom.
The full-height open shelves with tinted bronze mirrors juxtaposed against concealed cabinets stretching from the living room wall to the dining room and family room are also customised.
All other furniture pieces and home accessories, including light fixtures, were specially curated to complement the interior design. Most of the furniture boasts Italian brands. For instance, in the living room, the sofa is from B&B Italia, the armchair and footstool are from Cassina, and the television console is from Ditre Italia. The dining room chairs are from Driade, and the round dining table is from Bontempi Casa. The master bedroom has side tables from Tonin Casa and an armchair from Saba Italia.
However, the cushions and sofa throws are from the French luxury brand Hermès, the balcony deck chairs and footstools are from the Australian brand Emu and the ethereal Northern Heat pendant lamp with brass mesh designed by Swedish designer Johanna Forsberg is from Northern Lighting of Norway. Meanwhile, the wall art is from the Hamilton Conte Paris collection.
The family area of the four-bedroom unit (Photo: Designworx)
Established in 2004, the homegrown multiple award-winning Designworx is no stranger to designing luxury homes. Before the interior design of the 3,300 sq ft four-bedroom unit at Corals, Designworx was engaged by the owner of a 7,824 sq ft duplex penthouse at Reflections at Keppel Bay to design the interiors.
The 1,129-unit Reflections at Keppel Bay was the flagship residential project in Singapore by Studio Libeskind and was completed in 2011. Corals was Studio Libeskind’s second project in Singapore.
Designworx also designed a two-storey bungalow at Sentosa Cove, with 8,000 sq ft live-in space, full-height glass windows and doors to enjoy the stunning views of the golf course, the lake and the sea looking across to Singapore’s future Greater Southern Waterfront.
Another notable project by Designworx is remodelling a 19,000 sq ft, Good Class Bungalow (GCB) at Maryland Drive. The late Timothy Seow designed the original 13,000 sq ft house at Maryland Drive. He is famous for designing the NTU ADM Building, the main building for Nanyang Technological University’s School of Art, Design and Media.
The new owner of the GCB at Maryland Drive wanted Designworx to give the interiors of the 13,000 sq ft house a “modern take” while retaining the exterior designed by Seow. Designworx incorporated a gym, an entertainment room, a home movie theatre and a pool for the new owner who wanted to entertain at home.
On-going projects by Designworx include a GCB at King Albert Park with Chang Architects, Hotel Mi at Short Street with RSP Architects, and a villa in Leisure Farm Resort, Iskandar Malaysia.
Check out the latest listings near Corals at Keppel Bay, Reflections at Keppel Bay, Sentosa Cove, Maryland Drive, King Albert Park