CUBE ASSOCIATE DESIGN

TWO-STOREY SEMI-DETACHED HOUSE

H&D BEST OF BEST ID

Established in 1998 by design director Sarah Tham is Cube Associate Design, a multiple awardwinning firm whose work is a marriage of creativity and functionality. Sarah is always looking for breakthrough, yet practical, design solutions, and she has carved a niche with her space-oriented design ethos.

Offering the full range of architecture and interior design consultancy services – from initial space planning, conceptualisation and design, to construction documentation and administration – the practice prides itself on its reliability and on customer satisfaction for every project, big or small.

Seeing is believing and one of Cube Associate Design’s recently completed projects, located at Dunbar Walk, bears testimony to Sarah’s exemplary work. The 4,994sqf semi-detached property comprises two storeys, an attic and a swimming pool, and is home to a family of four. She choreographed an interesting layout of spaces within the long and narrow abode, beginning with front-ofhouse zones such as the car porch and living room, to the dining room, dry kitchen and guest room, terminating in backof-house service areas such as the wet kitchen and yard. Interspersed between spaces are voids and outdoor decks that free up the layout and introduce natural light and ventilation into the interior.

Sarah adopted an open-concept approach in the living and dining areas. The use of large slabs of Palissandro grey marble reinforces the feeling of openness, while the alignment of the marble grain along the length of the home accentuates the spatial linearity. The full-height glass wall on one side of the dining room allows views of the pool and creates a bright and airy ambience that makes for a pleasant dining experience. Sarah’s forte is in marrying form and function and this home is no exception. The space under the staircase has been utilised as hidden storage for the dry kitchen.

There are three bedrooms and a family hall on the second storey. The master bedroom is designed like a duplex, with a spiral staircase that leads directly to the library-cum-study in the attic. The spiral staircase is a vertical circulation element that establishes a physical connection between the two levels.

Apart from this, there is also a visual connection, as the attic floor is set back to create a void that overlooks the master bedroom. The spacious walk-in wardrobe and master bathroom provide the homeowners with a pampering experience that can rival a luxury hotel’s.

The attic also has a gym and entertainment room, surrounded by two generously sized terraces – one open and the other covered. In response to the client’s requirement for a bar showcase, Sarah proposed a showstopping free-form bar counter in high gloss spray paint and topped with blue king granite. Once again, Sarah has worked her magic touch and transformed this property into a stunning yet very liveable family home.