Use of double bullnose bricks in a Singapore flat to integrate nature and living space

L Architects renovated a 98 square meter apartment in Hougang Singapore for a couple who got to love plants during the lockdown. The project changes the interior from being partitioned to being bright open home that has a big indoor plants collection and at the same time keeping comfort privacy and spatial clarity. The double bullnose bricks are the most remarkable feature of the interior and they give the home a rich tactile identity.

Material Choice and Local Heritage

Softly curved edges of double bullnose bricks were choosing for their smoothness and also their association with historic pathways and public spaces in Singapore. Although these types of bricks are no longer being produced in large quantities the design team managed to buy five hundred and seventy-one pieces and made them the main architectural material. Using them brings a feeling of local memory and at the same time connects the outdoor communal space and indoor domestic area using the same material language.

Spatial Reconfiguration and Plant Integration

Two original bedrooms were turned into one big flexible open plan by taking down the walls that divided them. The new layout integrates living dining study and kitchen areas but still allows calming transitions among them. The brickwork has been done in such a way that it acts as a perforated study screen a curved seating item between dining and study areas and the kitchen island’s base. The new design is such that it leads to the apartment receiving natural light and ventilation and the placing of plants being generous which altogether turning it into a living environment properly balanced between humans and plants.

Material Atmosphere and Tactility

The rounded texture of the double bullnose bricks melts away the whole visual character of the apartment and gently connects different spaces. Their warm earthy tone works perfectly with dark textured tiles in service areas, terracotta floor tiles, and wood cabinetry. These materials create a unity of colors that very much highlight the features of the space and its contemporary character with calmness, natural warmth, and tactile richness.

Lighting Ventilation and Comfort

In order to provide better conditions for plants and people in the apartment, solid bedroom walls were substituted with glass louver openings which permit daylight and air to move freely throughout the apartment. This move, among others, ensures that all the plants that are placed in the interior get their share of natural light without being seen. The better ventilation and more light contributed to a living space that is both more comfortable and energy efficient.

Architectural Insights

Topic	Insight
Re use of heritage materials	Double bullnose bricks reintroduce traditional public space materials into a contemporary home creating a meaningful link to local history.
Flexible spatial design	Using brick structures instead of full height partitions maintains openness while still defining functional zones.
Indoor plant integration	Daylighting and airflow modifications allow extensive plant collections to thrive in compact apartments.
Tactile interior atmosphere	Rounded brick forms introduce softness warmth and depth that contrast with the typical hard edges of urban apartments.
Urban living principles	The project demonstrates how small homes can incorporate memory sustainability and material sensitivity without sacrificing functionality.

✦ ArchUp Insight

The flat Singapore concept brings to light how local materials, double bullnose bricks for example, can completely alter the perception of the inner space in small modern apartments. By taking down the walls that had been up for years, and using an open and easy layout, the designer brings in the plants along with the people and the living and the comfort and the privacy. The plush, curvy brickwork creates a nice and cozy atmosphere while at the same time linking back to Singapore’s civic material heritage. Thus, the home becomes rich in appearance as well as deep-rooted in the culture. Better natural light and air movement owing to the glazed louvered openings contribute to the health of both plants and residents. All in all, the project has laid a very attractive model for small urban houses that can be transformed through the use of historical materials, intelligent changes in the layout, and nature and modern living coexisting in perfect harmony.

Conclusion

The L Architects renovation is a clear example that a small urban apartment can be transformed into an eco-friendly living space filled with richness, depth, and character by using the right materials and redesigning the space thoughtfully. The double bullnose bricks give the apartment a unique interior character while being very supportive of a lifestyle that revolves around greenery, comfort, and tranquility. This project serves as a great inspirational model for turning small areas into highly communicative and environmentally friendly homes.

The photography is by Jovian Lim.

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