A Singapore couple has successfully transformed their vision of harmonious living and working into reality with a thoughtfully designed three-story home that proves work-life balance can be achieved beautifully in the same space. After years of apartment living, the family worked with Kaizen Architecture to create a light-filled sanctuary that seamlessly blends productivity, family life, and tranquility.
The homeowners, who declined to be named, represent a modern family dynamic common in Singapore. The husband works in the IT industry while his wife is in real estate, and their three grown daughters are mostly away – two studying and working in Sydney, with the youngest expected to follow suit after completing university. Despite their daughters' absence, the parents designed the home as a welcoming space for family reunions, with each daughter returning once or twice yearly for extended stays of several weeks.
Architect Melvin Keng from Kaizen Architecture drew inspiration from renowned Mexican architect Luis Barragan, known for his bold use of saturated colors, incorporating terracotta-red elements throughout the design. Keng named the project 'Sekiso House' after the Japanese word for layering, reflecting how each of the three floors serves distinct purposes. The ground floor houses common areas perfect for entertaining, the second floor contains the daughters' en-suite bedrooms, and the newly added attic level features the master bedroom suite.
The original two-story structure underwent significant transformation to meet the family's evolving needs. What began as a simple renovation became a complete reimagining of space, with the addition of a third-story attic and extensive modifications to create larger, more open areas. Keng retained the original dogleg staircase between the first two levels but integrated it into a new wall of shelving behind the dining area, while adding a sculptural red spiral staircase to connect the second story to the attic level.
Natural light plays a crucial role in the home's design philosophy. A conical skylight above the spiral staircase bathes the curved structure in daylight, while larger openings and sliding glass doors in the living and dining areas significantly brighten the interior. The architect opened up the sides of the corner semi-detached house, taking advantage of the extra strip of land and dressing boundary walls with lush plantings to create pleasant views from the main living spaces.
The dining area serves as the soul of the home, featuring a double-volume void that connects to the second-story family room above. A striking chandelier highlights the lofty space, while built-in display shelves are incorporated into the staircase design on both the first and second floors. The dining area flows into the living room, separated by a few steps that span the house's width and serve as casual seating during movie nights with larger groups.
Outdoor connectivity enhances the home's resort-like atmosphere. Keng extended the footprint outward on the first story, creating a sheltered patio adjacent to the dining area where guests can spill during large gatherings while remaining connected to indoor activities. A one-meter-deep canopy runs along the side of the house, linking the car porch at the front to the rear patio and providing shelter from both rain and sun.
The daughters, despite being away most of the time, were given freedom to design their own bedrooms, yet all made remarkably similar choices. Each room features a minimalist palette with soft textures, large wardrobes, and ample workspace. Their balconies look out to lush greenery and mature trees, with the rear room facing a condominium development that Keng describes as 'borrowing a bit of landscape' through strategic window placement.
Workspace flexibility defines the couple's daily routine. The husband explained that their weekdays are filled with work from home, often beginning with calls or tasks at the study desk in the attic office, which overlooks the same verdant condominium greenery through a band of windows above the desks. Sometimes their office relocates to the dining table to enjoy courtyard views, or even to the living room with its tropical, resort-like ambiance and large windows facing the greenery.
The master bedroom provides an elevated sanctuary with unblocked views overlooking surrounding houses and an expansive sky view. The attic level's strategic positioning offers the couple privacy and perspective, making it an ideal retreat for both rest and productivity. The husband noted that he can spend hours working productively in this serene environment, inspired by the calming views.
Interior finishes reflect the exterior's sophisticated palette, with light-colored bases and subtle accents throughout. The spiral staircase makes the main chromatic statement in red paint, detailed with recessed lighting on the handrail and contrasting beige tones on the inside of the steel balustrade. Marble-look sintered stone provides decorative effects in the powder room, while large-format floor tiles give the master bathroom a generous, luxurious feel.
The home's success lies in its ability to create what the husband describes as natural flow between spaces. Visitors consistently comment on the house's calm, private, and comfortable atmosphere, noting how it never feels crowded even with larger groups. The design achieves openness without losing connection – a quality the owners deeply appreciate when hosting family and friends. The strategic placement of slender trees in the courtyard provides privacy while allowing natural ventilation throughout the house, enhancing the tranquil feel of this cul-de-sac location and proving that thoughtful architecture can successfully unite living and working in beautiful harmony.
