A quiet dialogue between past and present

Designed by PI Architects, this East Coast house embraces the idea that a home can evolve without losing its sense of self. Named Palimpsest Reverie, the renovation reimagines a residence that has been occupied by the same family for more than three decades, carefully balancing contemporary comforts with the memories, collections and routines accumulated over a lifetime. Rather than pursuing a complete reinvention, the project focuses on continuity – preserving what matters while gently adapting the home for a new chapter in retirement. 

Located within a row of nine Tudor-style intermediate terrace houses developed in the 1990s, the residence occupies a unique place within the neighbourhood’s identity. Maintaining the architectural character of the house was therefore an important part of the brief. While many landed homes in Singapore are extensively rebuilt, the homeowners chose to retain the familiar exterior qualities that have long defined both the house and the street. 

“The renovation approach works within the existing framework, allowing the house’s character to remain legible while introducing restrained contemporary interventions,” describes lead designer Ivan Soh from PI Architects.

The retired couple who live in the house share a passion for collecting. The husband has spent decades amassing antiques. The wife, a former piano teacher, has her own collections of music and vintage fashion. Together, they envisioned a home that would showcase these treasured possessions while supporting a slower and more comfortable pace of living. 

To meet the practical demands of ageing in place, accessibility upgrades were carefully integrated throughout the home. Ivan, together with his team members Felyna Chia and Tew Roong Er inserted a lift within the existing stair core, and introduced grab bars, ramps and a powder room connected to the master suite to ensure ease of movement. Smart home technology was also incorporated to simplify daily routines, allowing lighting, curtains and air-conditioning systems to be controlled effortlessly. Solar panels, electric vehicle charging points and smart sanitary fittings further future-proof the home. 

The entrance sequence sets the tone for the rest of the house. A contemporary front porch intervention introduces large-format cladding, aluminium trellises and a custom full-height teak entrance door framed by textured glass panels. Beneath it, a green marble threshold creates a subtle sense of arrival, while a rain chain descends onto a gravel garden feature, adding a poetic touch.

The most significant transformation occurred on the first level, which serves as the family’s gathering space. An existing guest room was removed and the kitchen reconfigured to create a large open-plan environment. A generous island counter serves as a breakfast spot during quieter moments but easily transforms into a buffet station when extended family members gather. “The first storey – living, dining, dry and wet kitchens – forms the social heart of the home,” elaborates Ivan. “Former partitions were removed to create a continuous gathering space. Teak and Chinese hardwood furniture were restored and paired with contemporary pieces, set against marble flooring, veneer cladding, textured walls, and custom carpentry.”

Throughout the interiors, old and new coexist in harmony. Antique oil lamps, phonographs, vases and collected artworks are thoughtfully curated throughout the home, creating interiors that feel richly personal. Wallpaper, timber veneer panelling and textured finishes provide an elegant backdrop for these objects, while natural marble flooring introduces a sense of refinement and permanence. 

On the second floor, the spaces become more individualised. Adjacent to the lift lobby is a collection of quieter rooms dedicated to personal pursuits, including a study, music room, family lounge and yoga area. Existing spaces were carefully adapted rather than replaced. The piano room remains a place for music but now incorporates concealed guest accommodation, while an odd-shaped study has been refined through bespoke shelving and decorative finishes.

The top floor has been transformed into a private retreat centred around a spacious master suite. Existing furniture and cherished antiques were retained, while new wall cladding and tailored storage solutions create a more cohesive environment. A custom walk-in wardrobe accommodates the couple’s extensive fashion collection, while adjoining sitting areas, a compact night-time powder room and carefully layered lighting contribute to a sense of comfort and calm. 

More than a renovation, Palimpsest Reverie demonstrates how thoughtful design can honour the passage of time. Through careful preservation, sensitive interventions and a deep respect for personal history, PI Architects has created a home that feels simultaneously familiar and renewed, telling the story of its owners while supporting the life they hope to enjoy in the years ahead.

PI Architects
www.piarchitects.sg
www.instagram.com/piarchitects_

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