A family of four and their two beloved Corgis have transformed a rare two-story HDB Executive Maisonette in Singapore's Bishan district into a stunning example of Japanese minimalist design. The 1,600-square-foot home represents a complete renovation that showcases how thoughtful interior design can maximize space while creating a warm, functional environment for modern family living.

The homeowners, a laid-back married couple with two young children and dogs aged 10 and six years old, decided to upgrade from their smaller first home as their family grew. "Originally, when we had our first home, it was a smaller place. It was when it was just me and my wife and the dogs. So now we've got children, we thought that we could sell off the old house and move to somewhere closer to my parents and also the kids' future school," explained the homeowner, Wayne.

Finding and renovating such a property proved to be a unique opportunity, as two-story HDB Executive Maisonettes are extremely rare in Singapore's housing market. Nowadays, it's impossible to purchase a brand-new two-story HDB Executive Maisonette, and there aren't many of the older units left either. The couple enlisted interior designer Sze Ming from Studio Kabi to undertake a complete gut renovation that would transform the space into something truly special.

The renovation process was extensive and comprehensive, involving a complete reconstruction of both levels. Interior designer Sze Ming tore down everything, reconstructing the floors, walls, ceilings, and staircase on both levels. Rooms were moved around, bathrooms shifted, and the ceiling completely reimagined. "I needed to reconfigure the space into something that fits their needs," explains the interior designer. "Because usually I like working along this thought process: how does the space work for the family? And then I design it in terms of the more aesthetic elements afterward."

The design philosophy drew heavy inspiration from renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando, with Sze Ming incorporating elements like natural sunlight, segmented spaces, and clean lines throughout the home. Her minimalist approach involved limiting the materials to three to four textures and maintaining a cohesive color palette to create a comfortable, unified space. The family's brief was simple yet comprehensive: they wanted "a perfect space for our family" that wasn't overly flashy but could move through the seasons without becoming dated.

One of the most striking features of the renovation is the custom pitched roof design on the ground level. "One thing I knew going into this is that I wanted to build a pitched roof because you don't see that very often in public housing in Singapore," says interior designer Sze Ming. "I knew I wanted to build that, so that it's something that catches attention." The original ceiling was flat, but she reimagined it to angle upwards like a thatch-style roof, creating a main focal point and the illusion of greater height.

The redesigned staircase serves as another standout architectural feature and one of the first things visitors notice upon entering the home. The original staircase had a full set of railings, but Sze Ming created a softer, curved structure using partitioning. "Because the rest of the house has quite angular points, the aim was to create a softer touch for the staircase," she explained. "It's quite jarring if it's just straight lines coming down at three different heights. So we planned for that to be a whole curve that flows down."

The space planning involved strategic decisions about public and private areas across the two levels. Sze Ming proposed keeping all private areas on the second level, while the ground floor was designated for common spaces. The second floor houses three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a study, while the ground level features an open kitchen with a large island, dining area, living room, audio room, and balcony space.

A unique feature of the second-level design is the inclusion of a retro Smeg refrigerator upstairs, addressing a common inconvenience in two-story homes. "A lot of times in two-story homes, you have to go downstairs because your fridge is downstairs," explains the interior designer. "The next thing I wanted to do was make sure they had access to drinks and cold things upstairs."

The master bedroom underwent significant reconfiguration, with the original large master bedroom being divided into two spaces - the current master bedroom and what now serves as a playroom for the children. "The master bedroom used to be a huge room. That was cut up into two and became a playroom for the kids right now, and then it will be used as a bedroom for one of my kids when they grow older," explained the homeowner. The new master bedroom maintains the home's minimalist aesthetic with custom built-ins, including a bed head, vanity dresser, and concealed en-suite access via sliding pocket doors.

The ground floor showcases an impressive open-plan layout that maximizes both space and functionality. The foyer entrance features birch wood slats that provide privacy while maintaining an open feel - a specific request from the wife who "didn't want the neighbors to be able to see straight into the living room." The living room incorporates the former balcony space, with the interior designer constructing wooden seating that doubles as storage along the window wall.

The kitchen design represents a perfect blend of form and function, featuring both wet and dry areas separated by innovative pocket sliding doors. "When the doors are kept in, you don't see them at all. So it could actually be a fully open kitchen when the doors aren't there," explains Sze Ming. "Then, when you want to enclose it, the doors come out." The open concept allows parents to keep an eye on their children while cooking, addressing the family's specific needs.

A dedicated audio room reflects the homeowner's passion for sound, featuring vinyl players, record collections, and high-quality audio equipment. The living room also incorporates a sophisticated sound system with speakers positioned at both the front and back of the room. An unusual hexagonal-shaped sofa, locally sourced and rare in Singapore, adds visual interest while maintaining the home's minimalist principles.

The renovation timeline spanned six months total, with three months dedicated to design and three months for construction. The collaborative relationship between the family and interior designer proved crucial to the project's success. "We each had designated roles," explains Sze Ming. "They gave me free rein in the sense that I would propose this wood, or this stone. They would take a look at it, see how they feel, then the wife would counter-propose." The family moved into their transformed double-story HDB in December 2024, just in time for the Christmas holidays, creating the perfect setting for their new chapter in this thoughtfully designed family home.