In the north-east of Singapore, a project has been completed that redefines the relationship between architecture and greenery. “In a Park” is the conversion of a three-bedroom flat designed for a client who is a gardener by both passion and profession. The project, by L Architects, responds to a phenomenon that has become global in recent years: the home is no longer merely a place to live, but has become a living environment – for plants as well.
The pandemic triggered a need for closeness to nature in many people. For some, it was a passing phase; for others, a permanent change in lifestyle. 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 flat’s owner remarked: “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 a spatial concept
The design team decided not to treat plants as a decorative accessory, but as an integral element of the architecture. The inspiration came from the typology of the urban park – an open, fluid, democratic space. In reflecting on older Singaporean parks, attention was drawn to a detail that had remained almost unnoticed for years: the double-bullnose brick.
This distinctive element with rounded edges was once commonly used in benches, path edgings and planters. It is associated with Singapore’s modernist urban landscape of decades past. The ‘In a Park’ project attempts to reintroduce this material into contemporary interior architecture.
571 bricks
During our search, it turned out that a local factory had ceased production of double-bullnose bricks due to low demand. Exactly 571 pieces remained in stock – the entire stock was offered to the client. The limited availability gave the material an almost collector’s item status and necessitated its extremely precise, thoughtful use.
The rounded edges of the bricks introduce a sense of softness into the interior and allow for the creation of gentle curves. They have been arranged into a freestanding, openwork wall that subtly separates the study from the living area. The boundary is not, however, definitive – it is more of a filter than a partition.
A curved bench has been placed between the dining area and the workspace, acting as a shared threshold. It can be used from both sides, reinforcing the sense of fluidity and togetherness within the space. This solution evokes associations with a park bench – an element that encourages pause, conversation and observation.
Architecture intertwined with greenery
Thanks to these measures, the interior takes on landscape-like qualities. There are no clear axes or distinct functional divisions here. The space is open and interpenetrating, and the plants do not stand against the wall – they are at the heart of the action.
“In a Park” shows that innovation does not necessarily mean advanced technologies or spectacular materials. Sometimes, all it takes is mindfulness towards the ordinary and the forgotten. The reinterpretation of a humble brick becomes an architectural gesture of great expressive power. It is a project that reminds us that detail and restraint can build a narrative just as powerful as form.
The result is a flat where the owner truly wakes up surrounded by plants – not because more of them have been placed there, but because the architecture has become their natural habitat.
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 works. Characteristic of their work are 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 was listed in the Wallpaper Architects’ Directory as one of the most promising young practices.
L Architects’ work consistently blurs the boundaries between architecture, interior design and landscape – treating design as a coherent, narrative whole.
Design: L Architects
Photography: Jovian Lim
Source: V2COM
See also: Apartment | Architecture | Greenery | Interiors | Brick
