Restoring a shophouse is slower, more regulated and more rewarding than any other project in Singapore.
A shophouse is long, narrow and dark in the middle by design. The airwell is not a luxury; it is the lung of the building, and the best restorations begin by giving it back its light and a tree.
Conservation guidelines govern the front facade, the roof, the party walls and much of the original fabric. They are not there to stop you living well. Kitchens, bathrooms, stairs and services can all be new, provided the historic shell is respected and the submissions are done properly, which takes time and should be in the programme from day one.
Expect to keep more than you planned to. Timber shutters, cast-iron vents, encaustic tiles and old brick almost always repair better than they replace, and they are the reason the house is worth the effort.
Formscape Studio
Design team
