March 22, 2023
Out with the old, in with the new!
Renovating an aged property can be a rewarding process, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges such as outdated plumbing or wiring. Working with experienced professionals in such an instance becomes even more crucial, so as to ensure that your renovation goes smoothly and, more importantly, results in functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces.
For this 1500 sqft condominium in Subang Jaya, design firm Pocket Square was tasked with giving the 12-year old condominium a complete revamp, turning it into a minimalist abode that is bright, spacious, and welcoming. We spoke with Nick Tan, the project manager who oversaw the transformation of this minimalist abode, which received a Qanvast Design Award in 2022.
Qanvast (Q): Can you share with us some information about the homeowners?
Nick Tan (NT): The homeowners are a married couple with 3 children aged 5 to 9. The husband, who owns a construction company, had to relocate from Penang to Selangor for work, so they hired us to renovate this 3-bedroom condominium.
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The condominium was previously used to house the husband's staff, so a complete makeover was required to transform the space into a family home.
Q: What were their requirements for this project?
NT: The owners requested a minimalist designed home that is easy to maintain. They didn’t have a lot of belongings, so maximising storage space with plenty of cabinets wasn’t the main priority.
That said, because their children are of kindergarten and primary school age, they requested some storage for their books in the kids’ study room. In the shared bedroom, they wanted a bed that could fit 3 mattresses with additional storage.
Because the family was accustomed to living in a larger home (landed home), we sought to create a space that was as spacious as possible with an open plan layout, particularly in the common area. In terms of colour, they requested a neutral palette, so we used white, beige, and grey with a pop of darker wood tones to create a relaxing atmosphere in the abode.
Q: What renovation works were done to achieve the desired look?
NT: We carried out a complete overhaul of the interior without making extensive structural changes (hacking of walls). Instead, we experiment with repositioning elements (beds, wardrobes, storage) to gain space while fulfilling the essential needs.
The open-plan layout
The common area's original layout had numerous pockets and segments that divided the space into different zones (living room, dining room, kitchen and study).
We wanted to create a more spacious feel and bring in more natural light, so we opened up the space to improve the flow or ease of movement around the house, particularly in the common area.
We removed the sliding glass door that separated the study/lanai from the living area, allowing natural light to flood into the center of the house. We replaced the old furniture in the study area with built-in desks, shelves, and added built-in cubbies for the kids to store their books and other belongings.
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Elsewhere, we replaced the original tile floors with SPC flooring (Stone Plastic (or Polymer) Composite) and added a plaster ceiling (to conceal unsightly wires and pipes). We also replaced the old lighting and installed new light fixtures and air conditioning throughout the house.
After a fresh coat of paint and new modern furnishings in neutral tones, the once outdated common area has been transformed into a bright and welcoming modern space for the entire family to enjoy.
The dining area and dry kitchen
Previously, the home had a dining table next to the living room. We decided to forego the dining table in order to create a more spacious living room.
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The dining table was replaced with an island with a wooden frame and black marble counter, paired with black chairs. It now doubles as a food prep and dining area large enough (it seats up to 6 people) for the entire family to dine together.
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We replaced the old cabinets with sleek and minimalist-looking white cabinets, and instead of a U-shaped kitchen layout, we reconfigured it so that the island sits in the centre of the kitchen and serves as the focal point of the common area.
The laundry and wet kitchen
Further in, what was once a purely utilitarian yard is now a wet kitchen and laundry area.
We decided to enhance the yard's overall look and improve the design flow by relocating the original cooking area to the other side of the walls. This allows the owner to open the windows and air out the room when cooking.
Next to the wet kitchen is the laundry room. We installed a pocket door to divide the space without sacrificing floor area for swing clearance. This also contributes to the space's sleek and minimalist appearance.
In terms of flooring, we retiled the whole yard and added built-in carpentry and fitted the space with brand new appliances. Meanwhile, a glass sliding door helps to separate the yard from the common area, which helps to contain odours or residue during heavy cooking.
The master bedroom
The master bedroom was originally spacious, but we felt it was rather underutilised. It came with a walk-in wardrobe, but there was still insufficient storage available in the room.
While limiting the amount of structural work done in the bedroom, we experimented with repositioning furniture and built-ins (beds, wardrobes, and storage) to help gain space while meeting the room’s essential needs.
We replaced the walk-in wardrobe with a large dressing area. The wardrobe was then relocated to a wall near the entrance, where it now serves as a feature wall while providing a light contrast to the surrounding white walls.
Having a corner window is great, but not when it takes up space for the bed and nightstands. By creating a faux wall, we were able to position the bed in the centre of the room. The faux wall also serves as the headboard, and we were able to add a recessed shelf/display above the bed for extra storage or display.
With this new configuration, the windows were left untouched, and the curtains can also cover the corner windows and be tucked behind this new headboard for a neat look.
The children's bedroom
Fitting 3 children and their belongings into one bedroom wasn’t an easy feat. Our solution was to build a platform bed with 3 single mattresses placed side by side. A semi-playful headboard adds a fun element to the room.
Thanks to the platform bed design, we were able to maximise the available space by including additional storage for toys and other belongings beneath the bed (picture below), as well as a full-scale wardrobe.
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However, installing the platform bed presented its own set of difficulties. The platform bed, combined with the plaster ceiling, reduced the room’s height significantly, so for safety reasons, we decided against installing ceiling fans.
The bathrooms
The bathrooms were also updated with new plumbing systems, along with new tile finishes, hardware, and sanitary fittings.
We also replaced the original shower screens with black frames to match the bathroom accessories, mirrors, and doors for an upscale and cohesive feel while remaining true to the minimalist theme.
Q: What were some challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?
NT: The building management gave us a 3-month window for renovation work before imposing a daily penalty. We had to manage the project very diligently, especially since on-site renovation works were conducted at the end of the year (peak season). Luckily, there were no last minute changes during the process, so it was smooth sailing.
Q: What are your thoughts about working on this project?
NT: The project was a valuable learning experience in terms of renovating a minimalist home, as I personally found it hard to resist the urge to add more things to the home. The house ended up looking very spacious and clean, unlike typical Malaysian houses, which are filled with plenty of floor-to-ceiling cabinets.
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Q: What was the clients’ reaction when they saw the finished renovation project?
NT: The homeowners were pleased with the end result and workmanship, as well as the meticulous planning that ensured everything went smoothly.
They were also pleasantly surprised that the furniture we picked out for them was very comfortable and user-friendly, as these things can be very subjective at times!
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