Trends New Zealand Trends Volume 31 No 2 New Zealand | Page 136

Just as family rooms have been opened
up in recent years to provide spacious,
flowing living areas, so are master suites
becoming a lot more seamless.
The entire top floor of this traditional
Singapore shophouse, which has been
remodelled by Ong&Ong Architects, is
given over to a new master suite. The bedroom, at one end, is open to the bathroom
at the other, with a staircase between.
Architect Maria Arango says despite
the fact that these two rooms are separated
by what appears to be a communal space,

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they have a strong sense of connection.
“Both rooms have wide openings,
soaring ceilings with timber beams, and a
long limestone vanity top in the bathroom
extends right along the wall to form a desk
area beside the bedroom.”
A long, low mirror, backlit by LED
lighting, and additional lighting beneath
the cantilevered cabinetry reinforce the
connection between the spaces.
To provide privacy, the toilet room and
shower next to the stairs are screened by
a sandblasted glass wall. This also allows

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the natural light to pass through the space,
from a skylight in a lantern roof directly
above the stairs. High-gloss wardrobe
doors lining one wall of the bedroom also
help to reflect the light.
A sculptural freestanding tub takes
centre stage in the bathroom. This sits
on a replica shophouse-tile floor, and is
positioned so the owners can enjoy an
attractive garden outlook – glass sliding
doors open to a living wall of greenery.
There is also a slatted timber screen on the
balcony to provide privacy.