In the north-eastern part of Singapore, a project has been completed that redefines the relationship between architecture and greenery. “In a Park” is a three-room flat renovation designed for a client who is a passionate and professional gardener. The design by L Architects is a response to a phenomenon that has become global in recent years: the home is no longer just a place to live, but has become a living environment – also for plants.
The pandemic has triggered a need for closeness to nature in many people. For some, it was a temporary episode, for others – a permanent lifestyle change. The problem was that most flats were not designed with such an intense presence of greenery in mind. During his initial discussions with the architects, the owner of the flat emphasised: “I love plants, but I don’t wake up surrounded by them.” This statement became the starting point for the entire concept.
The park as an idea of space
The design team decided not to treat plants as a decorative addition, but as an integral part of the architecture. The inspiration came from the typology of an urban park – an open, fluid, democratic space. In reflecting on older Singaporean parks, attention was drawn to a detail that had gone almost unnoticed for years: the double-bullnose brick.
This distinctive element with rounded edges was once commonly used in benches, path edges and planters. It is associated with the modernist urban landscape of Singapore from decades ago. The “In a Park” project attempts to bring this material back into contemporary interior design.
571 bricks
During the search, it turned out that the local factory had ceased production of double-bullnose bricks due to low demand. There were exactly 571 pieces left in the warehouse – the entire stock was offered to the client. The limited availability gave the material an almost collectible character and forced its extremely precise and thoughtful use.
The rounded edges of the bricks introduce softness to the interior and allow for the construction of gentle arches. They were geometrised into a free-standing, openwork wall that subtly separates the study from the living area. However, the boundary is not definitive – it is more of a filter than a partition.
A curved bench has been created between the dining room and the workplace, which acts as a shared threshold. It can be used from both sides, which enhances the feeling of fluidity and community in the space. This solution evokes associations with a park bench – an element that encourages people to stop, talk and observe.
Architecture intertwined with greenery
Thanks to these measures, the interior takes on landscape features. There are no clear axes or distinct functional divisions here. The space is open and intertwined, and the plants do not stand against the wall – they are present at the centre of events.
“In a Park” shows that innovation does not have to mean advanced technologies or spectacular materials. Sometimes, all it takes is attentiveness to the ordinary and forgotten. The reinterpretation of modest brick becomes an architectural gesture with great expressive power. It is a project that reminds us that detail and restraint can build a narrative as strong as form.
The result is a flat where the owner actually wakes up surrounded by plants – not because there are more of them, but because the architecture has become their natural environment.
About L Architects
L Architects is a boutique architecture and design studio based in Singapore, founded in 2016 by architect Lim Shing Hui. The studio is known for its humanistic approach to design – it creates spaces that communicate with the user in a subtle, emotional and meaningful way.
The studio’s portfolio includes residential and interior design projects as well as experimental projects. Their work is characterised by simplicity, material honesty and the exploration of everyday elements to bring out their hidden beauty. The studio has received numerous awards, including from the Singapore Institute of Architects, and in 2024 it was listed in the Wallpaper Architects’ Directory as one of the most promising young studios.
L Architects’ work consistently blurs the boundaries between architecture, interior and landscape, treating design as a coherent, narrative whole.
Design: L Architects
Photos: JovianLim
See also: Apartment | Architecture | Greenery | Interiors | Brick
