GOY Architects win Lookbox Design Awards in Several Categories with their projects Shizukokoro and The Heng House

Goy Architects’ usual challenge is to realize their design concepts within the given budget and timeline. The furniture is also custom made and sourced regionally, which adds another logistical complexity to their projects. They work with colleagues in Singapore, Chiangmai and Bali on local and regional projects.

Project name:
Shizukokoro

‘Shizukokoro’, which means a ‘calm mind’ in Japanese, was the inspiration for this five-room flat. Referencing traditional ryokans, the designers have curated the journey of the flat with pockets of vistas and spatial delights. This involved either obscuring or framing spaces within the home. To ensure the owners and guests feel comfortable even when enjoying a cup of tea on the floor, the designers created an intimate landscape frame for the living room, keeping the proportion grounded to the floor.

Pale white oak surfaces evoke an air of calm, and most furnishings were custom made to fit the exact dimensions of the space. To filter the harsh external light, frosted windows were used in the living room to create a soft, ambient glow.

Project Shizukokoro won three prizes in the Lookbox Design Awards. The jury citation reads:

This apartment shows a balance between great design and functionality. The styles and materials are appropriate and well considered. Structural challenges have been cleverly overcome, resulting in a well- designed and thought- out space.

The owner, who occupies this double-story terrace house with her parents, wanted a studio space for the pro bono Pilates classes she conducts for people with mobility issues. The home also had to be spacious enough to hold both intimate and large gatherings, including the community meetings hosted by her father, who is involved with the yellow ribbon project (a rehabilitation project for ex-offenders).