With plenty of natural light, tall ceilings, and an expansive balcony overlooking the Singapore River, this 3-bedder at The Avenir had much to win the Lee family over. But turning it into a home for the couple and their two grown-up sons, whilst maintaining their vision of a “zen modern” home, wasn’t so simple.
“When conceptualising the home’s overall aesthetic and functionality, we shared a clear vision with Alex and Jay: to create a residence that embodies a sense of warmth, understated elegance, and quiet luxury,” said Mr Lee.
You get a taste of all three the minute you step out of the private lift and into the foyer, where the welcome timed to your arrival. When the lift doors open, the Louis Poulsen Artichoke pendant light overhead is triggered by a motion sensor, taking precisely 3.5 seconds to gradually light up and illuminate the rich veining of the Himalayan Green marble below.
“First impressions matter,” said Alex, who oversaw this project alongside his colleague from Right Angle Studio, Jay.
“We wanted to set the tone with the pendant light slowly waking up to welcome the user.”
The designers also replaced the solid main door with a custom gate resembling a screen. It gives the family the separation they wanted without closing off the home, allowing natural light to filter in while offering a glimpse of what lies beyond.
Past the foyer, the home opens into the living room, which Mr Lee calls “the social heart of the home”. Here, the designers made an intentional trade-off.
“As the allocated real estate is rather limited, we decided to use the entire space for lounge seating, focusing on sound entertainment and lounging settings,” explained Jay.
That decision translates into an unusually generous mix of seating for a three-bedroom apartment. Rather than a conventional matching sofa set, they are sourced from brands under Grafunkt and arranged around a Bang & Olufsen entertainment system, giving the room a more relaxed feel.
Across the room, a custom dry pantry finished with fluted cabinetry extends the kitchen and bridges the living room and dining area on the balcony. Moving meals outdoors means the Singapore River view becomes part of the family’s everyday routine, rather than something simply admired from the living room.
“Since the balcony has the best view, we wanted it to be where their family and friends spend the most time,” explained Alex.
And when the blinds are lowered for privacy or shade, the focal point shifts to a Zen garden, providing a counterpoint to the concrete jungle and giving the balcony a calmer atmosphere.
That sense of retreat continues in the bedrooms, where privacy becomes even more important. With both sons in their early 20s, the homeowners wanted their rooms to feel like self-contained spaces where they could comfortably work and relax.
In the junior master suite, they built upwards with a loft bed, freeing up the floor below for a dedicated desk area. Besides making better use of the room, the arrangement gives the sleeping quarters greater privacy and creates a clearer separation between work and rest.
This separation is just as useful in the master bedroom. As Mr Lee works across time zones, he needed somewhere to work without disturbing his wife. Rather than carve out a separate study, the designers tucked a desk into the wardrobe cabinetry, with additional storage between it and the bed doubling as a natural divider.
“By thoughtfully distinguishing the sleeping area from the workspace, the room maintains a sense of order, allowing rest and productivity to coexist harmoniously without compromising on aesthetics,” said Mr Lee.
The master bathroom was similarly redesigned around how the couple actually lives. Since the original bathtub saw little use, it made room for something they would appreciate every day: a his-and-hers vanity. The remodel also allowed the shower and WC compartments to be tucked behind walls for greater privacy.
“This careful arrangement creates a spa-like environment that feels both intimate and serene,” said Mr Lee.
“Amidst the vibrancy of the city, it offers a rare sense of tranquillity—a quiet sanctuary that invites one to slow down, unwind, and feel completely at ease.”
Words by Joyce Yang. Originally published in the September 2026 issue of SquareRooms.
