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ASTRID MEADOWS
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Location
SINGAPORE -
Size
3,800 SQ.Ft -
Year
2022 -
Lead Designer
SONIA
ASTRID MEADOWS
Astrid Meadows is one of those increasingly rare breeds in Singapore’s urban fabric, a mid-rise condominium surrounded by greeneries, with plenty of space to breathe.
The building blocks are scattered sparsely across the lush landscape. Individual dwelling units are designed to be spacious, each one comes with a generous balcony. To top of it all off, the simple skeletal structure of the building allows for internal walls to be removed and spaces to be reconfigured. In short, it is a dream project for designers!
But that is not the only reason why this project is special to me. I spent my childhood living in Indonesia. Growing up, my family and I would always come to Singapore during our school breaks. Astrid Meadows was our vacation home. One of my earliest memories was sitting on the swing in the playground, holding on tight to the ropes, my sister standing behind to help give me the first push. We spent our days running around the gardens, biking around the block and coming back just in time for dinner.
Returning here after some time being away always filled me with nostalgia. It was our home away from home.
Years later when my parents wanted to renovate, they came to me with what started out as a minor plan for repairs and upkeep. After all, the unit had not gone through any major renovation since it was built in 1990. Hearing their plan, I got carried away. I came up with a couple of proposals, one for the minor renovation they requested and another for what I envisioned the space could be. Unfortunately, the latter required a complete overhaul of the interior, the construction alone would take months longer to complete. I presented both options, laying out the merits and demerits of each one.
Then I showed them my design for the second proposal, guiding them through the different spaces one at a time, starting with the central common areas initially separated by parti walls. It seemed natural that they should be reconfigured into one open collective space, allowing natural light and ventilation to penetrate through.
The combined dining and family area would be encapsulated in oak wood, with wooden panels cladding the walls and timber rafters running across the ceiling. The living room would be sunken down, demarcating the space without disrupting the flow of movement. The split level would also allow for concrete slab to cantilever out of the raised floor structure. This, together with the loose cushions sitting atop the slab, formed the main settee.
The existing study room would be demolished to provide space for the new expanded central space. To compensate, a work desk would be placed in each bedroom, facing windows overlooking the greenery outside. This would create private work corners ideal for working from home. Another benefit was that the family room could then be enlarged to form an informal seating area where we could just hang out as a family. Sliding glass doors would separate the family room from the kitchen.
The inner spaces would then be exposed to sunlight and fresh air streaming through from opposite ends of the unit, the ideal setup for a cool breeze on a hot day.
My parents always said that the existing kitchen was too large so I proposed dividing it up into a wet kitchen and a dry kitchen. In the dry kitchen, they could prepare their coffee and breakfast in the morning. Counter seating would be added to serve as the perfect breakfast nook. By the time I got to this point in my presentation, my parents were convinced. The kitchen sealed the deal! Up till today, this is still their favourite part of the house.
From then on, the whole design process went by like a breeze. Their lifestyle and daily routine formed the spaces, not the other way around. It was the perfect chance to apply my design ideals to a project so personal. Different aspects of our childhood home in Indonesia were adapted and updated to blend in to the more contemporary design of this unit. This was best reflected in the dining room.
A custom dining table shaped out of natural teak wood stood in the middle of the room. Its simple design, a thick slab placed over two wood stumps, was intended to showcase the elegance of teak wood in its purest form. Vintage dining chairs made of Brazilian Rosewood were picked out to complement the unique design of the table.
Pendant lamps finished in black with a touch of rosewood hung above, while a built-in shelf fashioned out of thin metal served as the backdrop. The collection of Chinese antiques displayed stood out against the modern design of the shelf in matte black finish. Turn on the warm accent lighting and the scene was complete.
Natural materials, combining earthy colours with rich textures, were used throughout to create a calm and intimate refuge. Spaces were designed to be neutral, serving as fresh canvases for an eclectic selection of furniture and future additions of adornments.
In the bedrooms, honed sandstone tiles covered the floors, while feature walls were clad in brushed oak. Accent chairs and wardrobes finished in black metal and rust leather stood out within the space otherwise filled with a muted selection of tones.
In contrast to the bedrooms which exude warmth, the en-suite bathrooms were covered in cool grey stones. The vanities were topped with dark grey quartz adorned with crisscrossed veins of gold. Paired with brushed oak cabinets, the result was striking yet the combination felt balanced.
Overall, the spatial interplay created by dropped ceilings, raised platforms and torn down walls resulted in a strong but flexible hierarchy of spaces. The differentiations between public and private realms were subtle yet understood intuitively. The common thread throughout was that while the space was modern, all design components had been crafted to create a home infused with comfort and tranquillity.
More than anything, the goal was to design a place that would continue to bring us joy and fond memories to share for many more years to come. While the jury might still be out, one thing that was true was that this whole process had truly been a special and rewarding experience.
