5 Designer Ideas for Your HDB's Exposed Beam
Hacked a wall to create an open-concept space in your flat? Or there's a structural support running through it? Here are clever ways to deal
Chiquit Brammall
13 January 2018
Houzz Singapore Editor. Architect-turned-design journalist. Serial renter and wannabe-minimalist. Frequent visitor to the URA City Gallery to see the evolution of the Singapore shophouse in scale models.
Houzz Singapore Editor. Architect-turned-design journalist. Serial renter and wannabe-minimalist.... More
High-rise public housing, or HDBs as we commonly call them (as they are built by the Housing & Development Board), are designed to maximise space while keeping construction costs affordable. So there are sometimes-unsightly structural members hanging lower than the maximum floor-to-ceiling height of 2.6 metres. Often, too, HDB dwellers merge two rooms into one bigger space, hacking down a non-load-bearing wall and exposing the load-bearing beam above it.
According to HDB’s renovation guidelines, while the demolition of non-load-bearing walls is allowed, beams are untouchable.
Some designers may recommend false ceilings to conceal the beam, but with HDB you can only drop so low (2.4 metres is the minimum floor-to-ceiling height allowed). And, as you can see, the beams hang lower than that already.
Here are five ways you can work around this architectural dilemma.
Some designers may recommend false ceilings to conceal the beam, but with HDB you can only drop so low (2.4 metres is the minimum floor-to-ceiling height allowed). And, as you can see, the beams hang lower than that already.
Here are five ways you can work around this architectural dilemma.
1. Mirror it with a long table
In this HDB flat in Marsiling, Spacious Planners merged the study room with the living room in one open-concept space. In place of the wall between the two rooms, the designer put a long study table right under the now-exposed beam. A strip of light from the beam illuminates the table, which divides the two spaces without being obstructive to movement. Whilst this flat also has a proper dining area near the kitchen, this long table can double as a spot for meals when watching TV.
In this HDB flat in Marsiling, Spacious Planners merged the study room with the living room in one open-concept space. In place of the wall between the two rooms, the designer put a long study table right under the now-exposed beam. A strip of light from the beam illuminates the table, which divides the two spaces without being obstructive to movement. Whilst this flat also has a proper dining area near the kitchen, this long table can double as a spot for meals when watching TV.
2. Replace walls with glass panels
This three-room flat in Bedok benefits from a wall being hacked and replaced with glass panels and glass sliding doors. Designer Ace Space Design used the beam to support the glass dividers and frame the home- office-and-guest-bedroom as seen from the living area.
This three-room flat in Bedok benefits from a wall being hacked and replaced with glass panels and glass sliding doors. Designer Ace Space Design used the beam to support the glass dividers and frame the home- office-and-guest-bedroom as seen from the living area.
Another flat that makes use of glass panels in place of walls is this one by The 80s Studio in Sengkang. Again, the panels are attached to the beam. The designer says, “The casement window style (of the glass panels) in the study room adds vintage credibility to the apartment’s retro theme”.
3. Build on the remaining half wall
In this five-room flat Bayti Design partially opened up the kitchen to the living area, demolishing the upper half of the wall but maintaining the lower half to be used as a breakfast nook. To make the beam blend in with the industrial style of the interiors, the designer placed black trunking along it for the track lights that illuminate the living area.
In this five-room flat Bayti Design partially opened up the kitchen to the living area, demolishing the upper half of the wall but maintaining the lower half to be used as a breakfast nook. To make the beam blend in with the industrial style of the interiors, the designer placed black trunking along it for the track lights that illuminate the living area.
4. Make an architectural feature out of it
Similar to the previous design solution, Free Space Intent only partially opened up the wall in this four-room HDB flat in Punggol. A geometric cutout window disguises the beam, and makes this entire wall an architectural highlight of the house.
Similar to the previous design solution, Free Space Intent only partially opened up the wall in this four-room HDB flat in Punggol. A geometric cutout window disguises the beam, and makes this entire wall an architectural highlight of the house.
Here’s the view from the opposite side of the wall.
5. Make it look deliberate
Although LS2 Design and Construction merged two rooms into one open-concept study-and-lounge in this flat, a change of flooring (from screed to wood-clad platform) and different lighting treatments indicate the functions of the two spaces. The beam seemingly completes the demarcation of the two spaces.
Although LS2 Design and Construction merged two rooms into one open-concept study-and-lounge in this flat, a change of flooring (from screed to wood-clad platform) and different lighting treatments indicate the functions of the two spaces. The beam seemingly completes the demarcation of the two spaces.
The designer applied the same platform treatment to the master bedroom and walk-in wardrobe.
Another way to make the beam look deliberate is by painting it to frame a space, as Edge Interior did in this flat in Chinatown. In stark contrast to the floor and wall finishes, the beam is painted black, and even connects to ‘columns’ that complete the frame.
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How did you deal with your HDB’s exposed beam? Share in the Comments!
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How did you deal with your HDB’s exposed beam? Share in the Comments!
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My friend has one of these separating her kitchen and her living room - she hates it because she thinks it's clunky, but definitely going to show her these tricks, it just might be what she needs to improve the space!
Love the long table idea! It creates a clear division between the 2 spaces, without making the space look crammed. Also, multi-purposes for the table is a definite win!
Well written article and great ideas. I personally love what LS2 Design and Construction did to open and yet separate the 2 areas.