SquareRooms Nov 2016 Sengkang Special

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NOV 2016

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Heartland hotspot: Why a property in Sengkang is so sought-after

sengKang Special

A neighbourhood

revived

From a humble fishing village to a modern neighbourhood, we identify the key developments that make Sengkang a thriving residential district today Text Stanley Lim

62 NOV

Image courtesy of PUB Image courtesy of URA

M

ention Sengkang to any Singaporean, and the image of a serene suburb with a growing community of young families comes to mind. However, few are aware of its past life as Jalan Kangkar. Closely situated to Singapore’s North-Eastern coast, this quiet neighbourhood once consisted of only a fishing port as well as several rubber, pepper and pineapple plantations.

Since then, Sengkang has undergone a gradual metamorphosis into a modern town that is home to approximately 186,500 residents.

Plans to modernise the area kicked off in 1994, with the very first residential blocks and a dedicated Light Rail Transport (LRT) network seeing completion three years later.

Still, traces of Sengkang’s humble beginnings can be found in all of its seven subzones. District names such as Rivervale, Compassvale, Anchorvale and Fernvale hark back to Sengkang’s rural past, while a distinct nautical theme can be found within the architecture of Sengkang Town Centre, Sengkang West and Lorong Halus North.

b r e at h i n g s pac e (above)

Sengkang Floating Wetland is an oasis for residents to retreat to.

C e n t r a l l o c at i o n (left)

Compassvale Mast is conveniently located near Sengkang MRT Station and Compass One mall.

What is “Seng Kang”?

The town’s name is a reference to the Chinese words for “prosperous harbour”

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sengKang Special

va n tag e p o i n t (left)

Bellewater EC is located right next to Punggol Reservoir.

Community amenities (below)

If you are keen on setting up base in this charming neighbourhood, here are some important developments in that you should keep an eye out for.

Modern town Sengkang was the first satellite town to have major public transport facilities planned in tandem with its public housing development.

186,500 Approximate number of residents living in Sengkang

Residential Compassvale Mast

Out of the seven districts that saw BTO flat launches in 2012, Compassvale Mast was by far the most popular choice due to its relative attractiveness as a residential district. This came as no particular surprise as Compassvale Mast is located within walking distance of the Sengkang Town Centre, which houses a public transport hub as well as the Compass One Shopping Centre.

Today, the development plays home to a population that is largely made up of young families and couples, living across nine 16-storey residential blocks.

Bellewaters Executive Condominium

The upcoming Bellewaters Executive Condominium (EC) is a tranquil waterfront

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development located within walking distance from Sengkang Riverside Park. It is slated for completion by end-2017.

There, nature-lovers can explore Singapore’s largest man-made wetland Floating Island, learn more about common native fruits, or discover the mangrove birds and insects that call the park’s marshes home.

Lush Acres

Endorsed with the Building and Construction Authority’s (BCA) Green Mark for its sustainable, environmentally-friendly design, Lush Acres is an enticing development for homebuyers who are in search of a clean-and-green living experience.

The four-block EC sits on a verdant compound that spans 150,000 square feet and is the first development in Singapore (and around the region) to feature an in-house hydroponics farm.

The Agri-Cube was not only designed to encourage community bonding through gardening, but also makes smart use of the EC’s available space. By leveraging on Japanese hydroponic

Image courtesy of Ministry of Health

Image courtesy of Bellewater EC

The Sengkang General & Community Hospital will be located along Anchorvale Street.

District names such as Rivervale, Compassvale, Anchorvale and Fernvale are nods towards its fishing village past.

Neighbourhood Haunts Seletar Mall

Located at the junction between Fernvale Road and Sengkang West, Seletar Mall caters to the shopping needs of residents living within a 3km radius.

A mix of retail, dining and entertainment options are available at the six-storey development, which counts retailers such as Fairprice Finest, Uniqlo, and Shaw Theatres among its tenants..

Compass One Mall

Having undergone a year-long renovation, Compass One now boasts a fresh look and a new name. Formerly known as Compass Point, the four-storey mall has served Sengkang residents as a one-stop destination for retail and leisure.

The renovated space features over 200 tenants offering a variety of dining, educational and shopping options.

Amenities & recreational facilities Sengkang General & Community Hospitals

By 2018, Sengkang residents will be able to enjoy easier access to healthcare services.

The upcoming Sengkang General and Community Hospitals are both expected to boost local healthcare capabilities, adding approximately 1,400 beds to the current system. As an integrated development, both hospitals will also partner in-house staff with nearby nursing facilities, general practitioners and home caregivers for a more seamless healthcare experience.

Image courtesy of Compass One

subzones in the vicinit y

Image courtesy of The Seletar Mall

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technology, Lush Acre residents get to grow a variety of temperate-climate crops, ranging from Italian parsley to sweet basil – all within the comfort of a highly-unique EC facility.

NParks Round Island Route

Following the completion of the Coastal Adventure Corridor in 2020, outdoors enthusiasts will be able to explore a lengthier trekking route that passes through Sengkang Riverside Park. The Corridor is part of the 150km Round Island Route, which will connect the coastal areas of Sengkang with Punggol, Pasir Ris, Changi and East Coast Park.

A new cycling bridge, linking up both ends of the Sengkang Riverside Park will also be constructed as part of the project, in addition to other cyclist-friendly amenities such as shelters, toilets and bicycle parking lots.

Shopper's delight (left)

Compass One and Seletar Mall provide plenty of shopping and entertaining options for Sengkang residents.

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Spaces

sengKang Special

heartland oasis

With its practical solutions and personal touches, this love nest in Sengkang is a deserving winner of this year’s SquareRooms Home Search Text Jolene Limuco PHOTOs Wong Weiliang Art direction and styling Neo Aik Sing

66 NOV

LIVING ROOM

One of the most practical solutions in the living space is the L-shaped TV console-cum-bay window seating that provides multiple uses – it is a storage solution, display platform and seating. The tactile feature wall was patiently laid out by Raja with hand-cut solid oak panels procured from an independent woodworker.

space

5 room BTO unit l o c a t i o n Compassvale Compassvale Drive Mast budget

50K Home to

Spaces

Winner of

h me search 2016 H om e o w n e r s R a j a a n d I d ay u (right)

The champions of this year’s SquareRooms Home Search were surprised to see their home win. Says Idayu, “Our goal when we joined the contest was to see if we can have our home featured in the magazine but we didn’t expect to win.” Raja adds, “We thought that we’d feel a sense of satisfaction seeing our home in a magazine but to win Home Search is a bonus.”

On dining table: White vase, wooden bowl and mug from Crate & Barrel. Copper cactus, marble box and artificial plants from Egg3.

Dining a r e a (opposite page)

The built up bar counter is a special request from the couple as it is not only used as a dining table. It also works as a prep island and crafting station. Idayu likes to practise her brush lettering here. Drawers built into the counter provide additional storage while a power source installed here allows for easy access when the family organises steamboat dinners or use kitchen gadgets when baking. The vinyl flooring in this zone was purchased from Wood Culture and laid out in a herringbone pattern.

On dining table: Rattan placemat and pitcher from Crate & Barrel.

On metal grille and sidetable: Lightbulb planter and geometric glass from Egg3.

Kiwi bird from Crate & Barrel.

W

hen Sengkang residents Raja Mohd Fairuz and Idayu Dewi wanted to renovate their new home, they decided to design it themselves. After all, Raja, an architecture lecturer at Ngee Ann Polytechnic possesses all the know-how and design sense. “It just made sense that we designed our home, since I am an architect by training,” he quips.

The time and effort that he and his wife put in paid off as they have been crowned the SquareRooms Home Search 2016 winners.

Simple, quietly chic and thoughtfully furnished,

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their five-room BTO flat is a prime example of a truly liveable home.

Before beginning the design process, the couple had a clear idea of what they wanted and had already started gathering inspiration from magazines, books and websites. Raja then came up with the design drafts and renderings.

All they had to do was to hire a design and build contractor to execute their ideas.

It was a chance encounter at their void deck that brought them together with Team Interior Design.

Their fifth-floor BTO unit at Compassvale Mast is a lofty space thanks to its soothing

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Spaces

It just made sense that we designed our home, since I am an architect by training.

Raja Mohd Fairuz, homeowner

70 NOV

Zena rug, retailing at Departures & Arrivals F u rni t u r e s e l e c t ion

The couple sourced their chic collection of furniture and furnishings from stores like The V Furniture, Mulamu, Departures & Arrivals and Make & Made.

Some of their soft furnishings are from Indonesia as Raja travels there for work often.

On coffee table: Leaf centrepiece from Crate & Barrel.

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scheme of natural tones and smart storage solutions. Idayu, a primary school teacher, says that one of her main requirements is plenty of storage solutions. Some of these storage spaces can be found cleverly incorporated into a stretch of bay window benches by the floor-to-ceiling windows. Constructed out of solid oak countertops purchased from IKEA’s kitchen collection and cut to size to fit Blum system drawers beneath, the low-slung storage compartments double up as extra seating for friends and family when they come over for gatherings.

Oak is a major theme in this apartment because the homeowners love the outdoors and wanted to include natural elements into their space. As such, oak-like laminates have been used on some of the kitchen cabinets. These are complemented by white glossy laminates with black piping, a practical choice since glossy laminates are easy to maintain. The couple

Bathroom floor

Matte black ceramic tiles from Hafary M a s t e r b e d room (above and opposite page)

For the master bedroom, the homeowners’ main objective was to keep it as airy as possible. To hide clutter, they designed a platform to support the bed and provide some storage compartments. The semi walk-in wardrobe was constructed out of powder-coated steel frames and frosted glass panels to allow natural light from a nearby window to filter in.

On bedside: Alarm clock from Egg3 B a t hroom (left)

The homeowners kept it simple and chic in the bathroom by choosing a classic black and white colour scheme.

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Spaces

Clever storage solutions have been incorporated into the interior to keep things neat and tidy. These include the floorto-ceiling cabinets made out of glossy white laminates that stretch from the dining zone to the kitchen.

Kitchen floor

Wood-effect vinyl from Wood Culture K I TC H E N (above)

A wall was hacked away to create an open concept kitchen and dining area.

Another adjustment done to accommodate guests is the repositioning of the kitchen sink.

74 NOV

also went for natural-looking KompacPlus countertops and timber-effect vinyl flooring laid out in a herringbone pattern.

The herringbone pattern is another recurring theme in the home. Applying it as a subtle leitmotif throughout the flat, the pattern – which reminds Raja and Idayu of mountain ranges – can been seen on floors, walls, cabinet doors and even on textile prints.

Perhaps one of the most striking things in the communal zone is the feature wall at the entertainment area. Laid out in a

herringbone pattern with solid oak panels hand-cut by a woodworker, the wall is Raja’s pride and joy because he spent time aligning it himself. Leftover panels not used for the feature wall were made into a nest of minimalist-chic coffee and side tables, which the homeowners designed. They merely had to approach a metalworker to create the powder-coated steel bases for the tables.

The result is something that looks straight out of a store.

The couple’s eye for detail and practical thinking also led to the creation of a light-

G r e e n s pac e (left)

To complement the wood tones used in the home, Raja and Idayu added plenty of botanicals to their space. Other than wanting to bring in some of the outdoors into their interiors, the greenery also works as a comforting element. Raja adds, “The shades of green bring out the wooden tones seen on the surfaces and furniture.”

filled master bedroom. Instead of building a full walk-in wardrobe, they went for a semi walk-in wardrobe made from frosted glass panels and built-in oak-laminated drawers.

“The master bedroom is small so we wanted to make it as airy as possible,” explains Idayu. The sleeping zone has also been maximised. Instead of the usual bed frame, the couple got their contractor to build a platform to support the bed and contain a series of storage compartments.

When asked to describe their flat, Raja and Idayu say that they like to think of it as a modern Asian home with an emphasis on functionality. Thanks to their astute material choices, practical thinking and personal touches, their Sengkang abode is not only stylish it is also inviting and tranquil – a true sanctuary in every sense of the word.

Smar t t weaks STUDY

LOW CABINET

SEATS WITH STORAGE BELOW

LOW CABINET

MASTER BEDROOM GUEST ROOM LIVING

Semi walk-in wardrobe Custom designed metal grille divider

FRIDGE

BENCH

DINING

MASTER BATH GUEST BATH

SHOE RACK

KITCHEN

WASHING MACHINE

PATIO

STORE

GREENWALL

5-ROOM APARTMENT PLAN SCALE 1: 50

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sengKang Special

Living Room

In true Scandinavian fashion, the walls adopted a pure white coat, which serves to brighten and amplify the space. Upholstered with grey fabric, the muted sofa was deliberately chosen to complement the colour scheme. Floorlength curtains were vetoed in favour of the utilitarian venetian blinds to allow the homeowners to control the amount of light flowing into their home.

tres

chic

The juxtaposition of delicate silhouettes and masculine tones make for a visually arresting Scandinavian-inspired home Text Ho Li Yen PHOTOs Eightytwo

space

4 room BTO unit Compassvale l o c a t i o n Ancilla Sengkang East Avenue budget

60K Home to

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Spaces

Knitted pouf, retailing at HipVan Living Room (above)

In an effort to maintain design cohesion, the TV console, and dining and coffee tables were fashioned from solid wood. Pastel pink and emerald green poufs embellish the space, creating a balance between masculinity and femininity.

86 NOV

M

ore commonly known for its stylish but functional aesthetics, Scandinavian-style homes are generally designed to reflect the lifestyle of each homeowner. In doing so, we see the recurrence of many Nordic trademarks, such as the copious amounts of white paint used on walls, the plethora of wooden furnishings and wood-effect floors.

This couple’s fashionable home pushes the boundaries of Nordic design and re-invents it by infusing new elements. Besides the hallmark neutral tones, this Sengkang flat also employs complementary bold colours on walls and soft furnishings to enliven the space. Design director at interior design firm Eightytwo, Terence Neo,

shares, “The coat of white on walls were mainly used to brighten up the space and achieve the Scandinavian look that the homeowners wanted.

Other colours were introduced to counterbalance the home’s masculine and feminine features.”

This juxtaposition is first present in the living room. Though the residence sports the tried and true combination of wood-like vinyl flooring paired with unblemished walls, colourful furnishings like pink and green poufs are artfully strewn around to visually soften the masculine notes.

To maintain design unity in the dining area, a solid wood table is complemented by several white chairs. Statement rose gold pendant lights hang above, anchoring the dining space

Living room floor

Vinyl kitchen Cabinets (above)

Fashioned from solid plywood and high resilient laminates, the kitchen cabinets offer the inhabitants a stylish space to stash their collection of shoes and accessories. Terence even worked in a drawer that the homeowners can use to store their socks. For a clean and polished finish, black track lights were substituted with white fixtures instead.

D i n i n g Ar e a (left)

With the belief that the dining area should be a place of comfort and open conversation, the homeowners opted for comfortable dining chairs instead of benches. A rose gold light fixture hangs above, anchoring the space and imbuing it with a sense of elegance and sophistication.

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Kitchen backsplash

Printed ceramic tiles Dry Kitchen (below)

Lined with printed ceramic tiles, the motif featured on the kitchen backsplash takes its cues from European and Peranakan influences. Lights were embedded into the cabinets to highlight the lattice structure. The pendant lamps in the dry kitchen have been intentionally mixed for added visual interest.

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while adding an elegant touch to the otherwise austere zone.

On the far side of the living and dining area, Terence decided to create a half-wall opening to magnify the communal space. Aluminium glass windows and doors were affixed to the gaps, creating a sense of airiness and spaciousness throughout the home without disrupting the flow of light. Glimpses of striking blue on the study's walls also show through the fixture, which create a nice focal point in the entryway.

Inside the study, two house-shaped shelves have been built to contain the homeowners’ extensive book collection. Fitted with a sizeable

solid wood desk, the home office is transformed into a conducive space for work.

The kitchen walls have been hacked away to maintain the home’s open concept. A mix of pristine and streamlined pendant lights add visual interest. Fashioned from hardwearing polyester solid surface, the white countertops not only provide the homeowners with ample space for their cooking sessions but also create a smooth transition from kitchen island to wall.

Black laminated cabinets stand in stark contrast to the white fittings. To further enhance the kitchen’s modern take, the backsplash has been lined with printed ceramic tiles that form a giant lattice structure. Lights were even

Cabinets

High resilient laminates from EDL S t u dy

To create a sense of airiness, a half-wall was created between the communal areas and study.

Aluminium-framed glass windows were then fitted in to allow glimpses of striking blue to show through.

A sizeable solid wood desk and open concept storage solutions transform the space into a conducive working zone.

embedded into the cabinets to showcase the motifs, which takes its cues from its European and Peranakan counterparts.

To prevent cooking fumes from permeating into other areas of the home, designer Terence erected aluminium glass bi-fold doors to separate the dry and wet kitchen areas.

Located just beside the dry kitchen area is a stunning row of black cabinets. Made with solid plywood and high resilient laminates from EDL, the floor-to-ceiling structure is a stylish yet organised way to keep shoes and other paraphernalia from crowding the entryway.

“We’ve even included a sock drawer within the cabinets,” shares Terence.

Clever use of feminine touches set against pops of masculine colours create a wonderful juxtaposition that sets this house apart from its ubiquitous sisters. The result is a chic Nordicinspired space that caters to both him and her.

Smar t t weaks

Wall broken down halfway to install glass windows

Bi-fold doors to separate wet and dry kitchens NOV 89