Goodwill Court

2+1 Bedrooms Walk-up Apartment / Upper East Coast, Singapore

Home to a Japanese-British couple and their young son, this apartment at Goodwill Court was conceived as a quiet retreat from the bustle of everyday life. Naturally introverted, the homeowners sought an understated home, one that embraced simplicity, natural materials and a sense of calm.

The apartment presented an unusual challenge. Its triangular footprint begins with a narrow 1.4-metre entrance before gradually opening up to a width of nine metres at the opposite end. Rather than working against this unconventional geometry, we sought to make the most of it.

Being a corner unit, the apartment enjoys an abundance of natural light. By reconfiguring the original layout, we created a generous, open living and dining space at the heart of the home, allowing light to travel through the interiors and giving the family room to gather, play and simply be.

A tatami room was also created at the request of the lady of the house, bringing a familiar element of Japanese living into the home. Designed to serve as both a study and guest room, the space can be closed off when privacy is needed, or opened up to become part of everyday family life.

Throughout the apartment, natural materials and a restrained palette lend warmth without drawing attention to themselves. The result is a home that feels quietly considered, where the architecture recedes and the rituals of daily living take centre stage.