Room Tour: A Glass-Walled Loft Bedroom
This glassed-walled apartment bedroom in Bukit Panjang takes transparency in the design process to a new level
A glittering sky-high residential tower in Singapore is nothing new, but the ways that architects and designers arrange the interiors of each unit due to lack of space just keeps getting more innovative. Joann Ang of Designed Design Associates had a small shoebox-sized space in which to accommodate a kitchen, living room, bathroom and bedroom in a luxury apartment in the Hillion Residences in central Singapore. The limited floor space ruled out room for the bedroom, so she got creative. Her glass-wall solution has to be seen to be believed. Read on for her comments on the project.
What was the brief for this project?
DDA’s approach for this luxury residential design project was to adopt both conventional ideas as well as new, bold ideas to transform the compact 40 square-metre unit.
How did you achieve this?
Due to the space created by a double-height ceiling, we decided to add a mezzanine bedroom space, but this would block out light. So to make the unit look spacious, and to keep the light from the balcony streaming in to all parts of the property, we added glass wall panels to box in the cantilevered bedroom, and installed a mirrored ceiling.
DDA’s approach for this luxury residential design project was to adopt both conventional ideas as well as new, bold ideas to transform the compact 40 square-metre unit.
How did you achieve this?
Due to the space created by a double-height ceiling, we decided to add a mezzanine bedroom space, but this would block out light. So to make the unit look spacious, and to keep the light from the balcony streaming in to all parts of the property, we added glass wall panels to box in the cantilevered bedroom, and installed a mirrored ceiling.
How does it work?
The bedroom is built on a floor that juts out over the front door and is supported by four black-painted steel columns, that also act as an attractive divider in the space. Access is by a set of narrow stairs, beneath which useful shelving, a wardrobe and additional storage were neatly tucked away.
What kind of material is used in the construction?
We used steel girders and uprights for the construction of the cantilevered bedroom, with reinforced glass panels for the walls.
The bedroom is built on a floor that juts out over the front door and is supported by four black-painted steel columns, that also act as an attractive divider in the space. Access is by a set of narrow stairs, beneath which useful shelving, a wardrobe and additional storage were neatly tucked away.
What kind of material is used in the construction?
We used steel girders and uprights for the construction of the cantilevered bedroom, with reinforced glass panels for the walls.
What were the challenges associated with the project?
Central to the design was getting all the functions into the one space while encouraging the feeling of airiness and light. The exploration of overlapping spaces was crucial; for instance, we installed a mezzanine above the study and utility spaces, and removed closed-in balcony doors, pushing the space out to its boundaries.
Describe the successes
We believe we have turned an interesting but challenging space into a cosy and welcoming little home, rather than just a typical single-dwelling space.
Central to the design was getting all the functions into the one space while encouraging the feeling of airiness and light. The exploration of overlapping spaces was crucial; for instance, we installed a mezzanine above the study and utility spaces, and removed closed-in balcony doors, pushing the space out to its boundaries.
Describe the successes
We believe we have turned an interesting but challenging space into a cosy and welcoming little home, rather than just a typical single-dwelling space.
TELL US
Does your home feature any internal glass walls? Tell us about it and share a photo of it in the Comments section.
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Does your home feature any internal glass walls? Tell us about it and share a photo of it in the Comments section.
MORE
Transparent Garden Terrace, Moscow, Russia
Peekaboo Stairwell, Fukuoka, Japan
Rockin’ Guitar Rack, Perth, Australia
Sponsored
Project name: Hillion Residences, an apartment tower in Bukit Panjang, central Singapore
The feature we love: The glass-walled, loft-like bedroom
Designer: Joann Ang of Designed Design Associates (DDA)
Client: A Singaporean property developer
Location: Singapore
Timeframe: November 2013 to March 2014
See more of this project