Homeowner Daryl Lee’s Robertson Quay condo in Singapore challenges conventional notions of interior design. A $100,000 renovation transformed the 800 sq ft one-bedroom space into a blend of exposed ceilings, raw materials, and a monochromatic grey palette. Daryl, a marketing professional in his 40s, describes his home as a “refuge” balancing industrial aesthetics with eclectic touches.
Brutalist Aesthetics in a Modern Condo
The renovation aimed to create a “raw but refined” environment, as described by interior design studio Artistroom. Design elements include three shades of grey—dark near the entrance, mid-tone along the living and dining walls, and light in the kitchen—paired with organic materials like wood, glass, and concrete. The open-plan kitchen, anchored by a black sintered stone island with hidden storage, exemplifies this fusion. Custom-built chocolate brown cabinets extend into the front entrance, where white square block tiles create a seamless flow to the bathroom and living areas.
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Furniture choices, such as a modular Ligne Roset sofa and a green Studio Sovet coffee table, reinforce the Brutalist ethos. The home’s structural leather Vitra chair adds to the industrial feel, while the dining area’s exposed pendant beam serves as a focal point. Even the bedroom adheres to the style, with ribbed brown-veneer sliding doors and a minimalist walk-in wardrobe replacing the original en suite.
A Collaborative Design Process
Daryl’s partnership with Artistroom’s Mark and Katy was key. After a successful first project, he entrusted them again to transform his second home. Initially, he had no clear vision beyond Brutalist aesthetics, but their ability to interpret his preferences led to a design that felt “natural.” The team reconfigured the layout by converting the old kitchen into a storeroom, relocating the new kitchen around an island, and maximizing space through strategic storage solutions. “They understand my aesthetic,” Daryl notes, highlighting the designers’ skill in concealing functional elements—such as the island’s hidden compartments and the fridge’s integration into the cabinetry.
The home’s layout reflects a focus on practicality. The team’s adjustments allowed for a more efficient use of space, with the kitchen and storeroom positioned to streamline daily tasks. Daryl emphasizes how the designers managed to balance his desire for a minimalist look with the need for hidden storage, which he considers essential for a small home.
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Imperfection as a Design Principle
While Brutalist architecture often emphasizes stark geometric forms, Daryl’s home incorporates deliberate imperfections. His girlfriend and he view the space as a “cosy refuge,” with mismatched textures and eclectic color pops that contrast the monochromatic backdrop. The bathroom, for instance, maintains a white block tile scheme but adds black accents on the vanity, sink, and window frames.
The project demonstrates how Brutalist principles can be adapted to modern living, blending raw materials with personal expression. The designers explain that the renovation was a “continuation of a meaningful relationship,” showing that design can evolve while staying true to its roots. For Daryl, the result is a home that feels both industrial and intimate—a space where imperfection is not a flaw but a defining feature.
