Designed by Song Sze Ming of Studio Kabi, 212 Bishan is a carefully planned renovation of a 1,600-square-foot HDB maisonette in one of Singapore’s most established residential neighbourhoods.
Located in Bishan, the home was conceived for a growing family with young children and two corgis, requiring an interior that could balance everyday functionality with moments of retreat. Flexibility and spatial clarity were central to the brief, with an emphasis on creating zones that could adapt to changing routines while remaining cohesive as a whole.
Space planning plays a defining role throughout the maisonette. The most significant move involved removing the existing balcony to expand the living room, transforming it into a generous, double-volume space that now acts as the social heart of the home. This enlarged zone supports family movie nights, children’s play and casual gatherings, while remaining visually connected to the rest of the interior.
Material selection reinforces a sense of warmth and domestic ease. Natural wood and stone are used extensively to soften the scale of the spaces and create a grounded, tactile environment. A thatched roof ceiling was introduced to emphasise the height of the living area, adding texture while subtly referencing vernacular forms. Rather than functioning as a decorative feature alone, the ceiling helps balance the vertical proportions of the room and contributes to the home’s calm, enveloping atmosphere.
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The kitchen is positioned as a central gathering point, anchored by a long island with integrated bar seating. Designed for both daily use and informal entertaining, it encourages interaction between family members while maintaining clear circulation paths. Nearby, smaller moments of occupation are carefully considered, including dedicated corners for music and coffee that personalise the home and reflect the clients’ habits.
Throughout the maisonette, flexible pocket doors allow spaces to open or close as required, supporting both communal activity and privacy. Storage is integrated discreetly, ensuring that the home remains functional without feeling over-programmed. Children and pets are given equal consideration, with open areas that allow movement and play without disrupting the overall order of the plan.
212 Bishan demonstrates Studio Kabi’s measured approach to residential design: one that privileges adaptability, material restraint and lived experience over overt gesture. The result is a family home that feels open yet intimate, structured yet relaxed — shaped as much by everyday life as by design intent.
