Layered Discontinuity

The interior scope was the main amenities in the two-storey new built house, with a basement and attic, for a local family. Architecturally, it was designed by long-time collaborator, Aamer Taher of Aamer Architects. The interiors were designed with addressing the transition of the brutalist façade into the interior, muting the strong angles especially present in the living area, the long and open plan, articulating the low ceiling in the basement and accentuating the personal space of the owners. The client/occupants requested for a unique and luxurious design and they’d spoken of their fundamental requirement to host wine tasting sessions. Over the process to define the client’s requirements, I’d learnt of his passion for cars, party hosting and thus was inspired to reflect that into the interior design. My design approach, was by means of ‘layered discontinuity’, of which melding color tones, forms and textures, for a multi-sensory palette. Overall the key color tones were inspired by wine, via a chardonnay inspired metallic color, that would punctuate the background canvas, spatially at various floors, for a common narrative. Complimenting it with woody notes, marble and pop colors; and automotive inspired geometry forms & patterns. From the long and narrow site, I’d wanted to bring into the house the façade's monochromatic tone as the main canvas via tundra blue limestone floor finish which looked interestingly soft and powdery when in the hone finish, at the 1st storey. Part of the design intent was to have a huge art wall with playful colors at the double volume void over the main main door and living area to anchor the space. This would later evolve into a personalized artwork, which the client commissioned Mr Aamer Taher to paint – a vibrant pop colored family portrait. Organic shaped seating furniture were introduced to mute the sharp internal angles at the living. The materiality articulation would then transit to a dark polished porcelain floor finish in the basement to visually magnify the low ceiling ceiling height. The juxtaposed reflection of the punctuated linear to curvature flow details, from ceiling to wall panels; and custom designed cabinets were inspired by the sexy lines of automotive design. On the 2nd storey corridor, where the kids’ bedrooms are located, I’d designed in storage cabinets doors along the corridor with magnetic laminate finish, painted in monochromatic silhouettes, that the kids can post notes, paint, sketch and scribble on. These doors, in the future, can be dismantled and hung as personalised art work, reminisce of their childhood. The walk-in-wardrobe, master bedroom and study room at the attic were resized with curvatures deliberated to soften the space.