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Habitus is a movement for living in design. We’re an intelligent community of original thinkers in constant search of native uniqueness in our region.

 

From our base in Australia, we strive to capture the best edit, curating the stories behind the stories for authentic and expressive living.

 

Habitusliving.com explores the best residential architecture and design in Australia and Asia Pacific.

 

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31 Blair Road

Singapore-based architectural firm Ong&Ong has created a surprising contemporary residence by remodeling the inside of a three-story townhouse. 

 
 
Many historic elements were left untouched in the twonhouse, retaining the site’s historical essence and providing a quaint contrast to the unit’s modern interior. 
 
 
 
What distinguishes this conservation house from most others is the unorthodox first floor layout placing the kitchen and dining space right at the entrance. This was done in light of the fact that most parties centre around the food, and this arrangement allows guests to casually mingle with their hosts as they cook.
 
 
 
Since the house was originally intended for rental, a neutral colour palette was employed by Ong&Ong to complement the changing tastes between individual tenants. 
 
 
 
Bamboo is a recurrent theme throughout the house, from the forecourt garden to the sandblasted motifs within.
 
 
 
31 Blair Road is an innovative response to the constraints of conservation building. It successfully marries the old with the new to create a charming living space.  The beautiful vintage façade is maintained while the interior is completely remodeled. 
 
 
 
The ‘new’ spacious feeling residence now offers four bedrooms and four bathrooms and a roof deck. 
 
 
 
 
Ong&Ong Pte. Ltd. started as a small practice in Singapore in 1972 and has since expanded throughout the southeast Asian region. Ong&Ong now have offices in Vietnam, Malaysia, China and New York. Read about the project in Issue #8 of Habitus.
 
 


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