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Houzz Tour: Grid Lines Dominate this Art-Filled Loft Apartment
Forget displaying art in a white box. This singular installation of steel rods showcases the homeowner's lifestyle and the art he enjoys
Art appreciation is taken to new heights literally with this noteworthy piece of installation art that weaves across Woon Tai Ho’s two-storey loft apartment. The former director for Media and Marketing of the National Gallery Singapore, Woon is a respected art collector and he wanted his new home to capture the essence of his art collection. “I am tired of using artworks to show that I love art”, he says. “I want to live in a space that is itself a piece of art.”
Precision is in the details as the steel rods are put together using a mathematical algorithm. Within this open-plan layout, it serves as a line of demarcation between the entertainment area and dining area. The alignment of the steel rods creates pockets of storage compartments for Woon to tuck away reading materials in an unusual yet utilitarian order. An Overdyed lounge chair by Diesel with Moroso and a Traffic armchair and Traffic tablet by Magis make up the modern classic living room set.
In the dining area, the steel installation is configured into a suspended wine rack to hold bottles and glasses. Its sleek structure flanks the dining and bar table without adding any visual bulk.
Complemented by six Paso Doble Medium stools by Magis in black, the five-metre long ash timber table is a custom-built piece with an unusual finish. It’s surface has been charred to reveal the grain and structure of the ash timber. It is overlooked by Tropical Leaf 4, an artwork by Han Sai Por. This alluring piece anchors the space with its bold, dark strokes. Also seen is the Rock Floor Lamp by Diesel with Foscarini, which echoes the tactile textures but adds a pop of colour with its gold tint.
Venturing upstairs, Rooted 2, another piece by Han, stirs up some visual drama amidst the neutral tones and cement screed surfaces. Amplifying the flow of light and space is the use of glass railings and a strategically-placed clear mirror panel at the narrow end which reflects the understated details of the apartment.
On the other side of the mirror panel lies the concrete vanity. It is supported by the installation, which leaves the base bare. Touches of black bring a sense of depth and juxtaposition against the concrete accents.
A pared-down selection of materials and colours match the simplistic yet fluid nature of the steel structure. To allow the structure stand out, the PRODUCE designers went back to the basics by choosing glass, concrete and cement flooring – no-frills materials with a monochromatic colour scheme.
Instead of walls, the only bedroom is separated by the wardrobe, which has frosted glass sliding doors. This offers the homeowner a semblance of privacy and keeps any visual clutter under control.
A similar treatment was used for the toilet and shower stall – both are enclosed by frosted glass panels. Steel rods envelop the open-plan walk-in wardrobe next to the bathroom and the rods serve as a clothing rack. It is integrated with a full-height showcase for shoes, completing Woon’s home boutique experience.
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What do you find most striking about this home? Let us know in the Comments section below.
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10 Homes Where Art Takes Centre Stage
TELL US
What do you find most striking about this home? Let us know in the Comments section below.
MORE
10 Homes Where Art Takes Centre Stage
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Woon Tai Ho, former director for Media and Marketing of the National Gallery Singapore
Location: Loft apartment in Novena
Size: 100 square metres (1, 100 square feet)
Project duration: 8-9 weeks
Chief Creative Producer Pan Yi Cheng and Creative Associate Chua Hong Zhi from PRODUCE took reference from Woon’s coveted collection, which includes works from Singaporean artists Jane Lee and Han Sai Por. They noted Lee’s fluidity in her paintings and Han’s drawings of thin and irregular lines, translating their observations into this monochromatic lattice of steel which combines form and function. In one fluid movement, the installation sweeps across the modern industrial-themed living space and bestows functionality to each zone.