Singapore – On the third floor of a low-rise block in Geylang East, sunlight filters through the lush trees, softening the edges of a five-room apartment defined by unusual geometry.
The 1,431-square-foot resale apartment, built in 1986, turns out to be occupied by a married man. couple It attracts Elliot and Janet’s attention with its unusual geometric pattern.
“The sharp angles were what sealed the deal,” says Elliott, the cinematographer, of the building’s triangular floor plan, where the angles create an irregular shape in the dining area, balcony, and what is now the study. He and senior producer Janet declined to give their full names and ages.
“What attracted us to this location is the greenery outside the house. You can see greenery from almost every window,” he added.
The apartment was completely renovated by Elliott’s friend Ulrich Cheer, who works at the interior and architectural design firm Medium Specific.
The reoriented kitchen is the first thing visitors see when they enter.
Photo: Accident. Provided by Medium Specific
Upon entering the home, visitors are greeted by a spacious kitchen with a stove located to the front over a large island. Chia calls this concept “kitchen as threshold,” inspired by restaurants he saw in Spain where the kitchen is right in front of you.
“When Elliott and Janet host, they get to interact with guests while preparing the food,” he says.
The island stove faces the window, allowing hosts to cook with views of the greenery outside.
Photo: Accident. Provided by Medium Specific
The apartment’s unusual geometry, with its penknife-like sharp corners, became the guiding motif for the renovation. Chia distilled sharp angles into details around the house, from the recessed handles on the kitchen cabinets to the subtle lines and chamfers that guide the eye throughout the space.
The walls were removed, exposing all of the sharp corners and opening the view from the front door to the very back of the apartment. Parapet walls and carved openings distinguish yet connect adjacent rooms.
The kitchen drawers reflect the apartment’s unusually slanted floor plan.
Photo: Accident. Provided by Medium Specific
From the kitchen, there is a space that leads to a dining area designed for large gatherings. “Janet’s family is very large, 12 people in total, including us, so we wanted a very large dining table,” says Elliott. The table also serves as a flexible workspace for Janet when she works from home.
From the kitchen island, the eye moves to the chamfered bulkhead and living area.
Photo: Accident. Provided by Medium Specific
To give the room more presence, Chia manipulated the ceiling surface. We lowered the ceiling in the entryway and angled the cornice above the dining area to make the space feel taller and more open. In the dining area, a chamfered bulkhead runs along the edge of the ceiling and hides the air conditioning unit.
The dining area features vintage rugs and lanterns. We removed the wall and connected the kitchen, dining and living areas.
Photo: Accident. Provided by Medium Specific
Next to the dining area is a balcony, which was restored after being incorporated into the unit by the previous owners and now has an automatic misting system installed for the couple’s garden. Terracotta tiles were chosen here for their warmth and durability. A small window in the wall between the balcony and the study draws the eye diagonally across the apartment.
Mr Chia said: “This window frames multiple views at once, including the outdoor greenery, indoor living areas, and the sharp angles that define the unit.”
The study, located in the most pointed corner of the apartment, is filled with guitars, books, and art.
Photo: Accident. Provided by Medium Specific
This study is located at the apartment’s most dramatic point, where the triangular floor plan converges into a sharp corner. Here, floor-to-ceiling shelves are lined with books on one side and guitars, amplifiers, and music equipment on the other. Elliott plays in a band and this space also serves as his studio. Much of the art work in this area is by Janet.
The living area is filled with the couple’s spontaneous purchases, carousel finds, and personal memorabilia. A second-hand coffee table and a low, rust-colored sofa anchor the space.
Elliott says: “My TV is movable, so if I want to watch it in the living room, I roll it out into the living room, and if I want to watch it there, I move it back into the bedroom.”
The living room is shaped by carousel finds, spontaneous purchases, and personal memorabilia.
Photo: Accident. Provided by Medium Specific
The apartment’s two bathrooms have been reworked with a restrained palette that balances warmth and practicality. Elliott says: “Janet liked playful colors, so we designed a toilet near the kitchen.”
The result is a typical bathroom with a sense of texture and vibrancy, with vertical brown tiles and deep blue counters lending rhythm and warmth. Resonates with the terracotta of the kitchen and balcony While incorporating a slightly mischievous character..
Vertical brown tiles bring warmth and texture to a typical bathroom.
Photo: Accident. Provided by Medium Specific
Meanwhile, Elliott’s imprint remains in the master bathroom. Large-format tiles in muted tones and integrated mirror lighting create a calming, streamlined backdrop. The clean lines of the vanity and basin prioritize clarity and functionality.
Soft tile and integrated lighting give the master bathroom a calming atmosphere.
Photo: Accident. Provided by Medium Specific
The design process was not without its hurdles. “There was structural reinforcement embedded in one of the walls, which caused a significant delay in HDB approval for the demolition work,” Chia said. But other than that, his and Elliott’s cooperation went smoothly.
The renovation took three to four months and cost $100,000, not including furniture and appliances.