Take a Rare Peek Inside 6 HDB Flats with Unique Layouts

Have you ever wondered what the interior of an unusual HDB flat, blessed with a rather unique layout, looks like? What are some renovation design considerations that homeowners should take note of? Read on to find out more!

#1. Clover-shaped HDB Flat

Photo from PropertyGuru

Where can you find it?
259 Clover @ Kebun Bahru, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 2.

Why is it so unique?
Completed in 1981, The Clover @ Kebun Baru was HDB's experimental attempt to infuse a unique identity in each of the town, to inject life and interest in the otherwise monotonous public housing architecture. This landmark design is in the shape of a clover and the first and the only circular HDB flat in Singapore. Each level is made up of four 5-room units, where each unit takes up one cylindrical section with a floor area of over 1450 sqft (134 sqm). Although HDB no longer builds such iconic flats, HDB flats that are "pie" or "fan" shaped can still be found in Sembawang (Blk 468A to 468D).

What are the renovation challenges the homeowners face?
To maximise space, furniture has to be customised in order to cater to the cylindrical-shaped layout. Since almost 2/3 of the house is cylindrical in shape, the amount of customised carpentry will be extensive. In addition, since the unit is large, the renovation costs will be expensive.

Design: M3 Studio

More photos of the project here.

#2. HDB Terrace House

Photo from Remember Singapore

Where can you find it?
Jalan Bahagia, Jalan Tenteram and Jalan Ma’mor in Whampoa, as well as Stirling Road in Queenstown.

Why is it so unique?
HDB Terrace houses were originally built by the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) in the 1950s before HDB took over. Till date, around 290 HDB terrace houses were built and each unit comes in two storeys, with a private garden without a car park. The sizes of the 2 to 4 rooms range from 850 sqft (79 sqm) to 1285 sqft (119 sqm).

What are the renovation challenges the homeowners face?
Most of these HDB Terrace houses are very old and have less than 50 years left on their lease. Hence, depending on the state of the resale unit, the electrical rewiring, pipe replacement and re-waterproofing has to be done. Since the unit comes as a roofed two-storey, the scope of the renovation is larger than a typical HDB unit and hence more expensive.

Design: i-Chapter

More photos of the project here. 

#3. Horse shoe-shaped HDB flat

Photo from Visit Tiong Bahru

Where can you find it?
Block 78 across Yong Siak Street, Guan Chuan Street and Moh Guan Terrace.

Why is it so unique?
Gazetted by URA as a heritage conservation site, Block 78, straddles between the Moh Guan Terrace and Guan Chuan Street. Built between 1939 and 1940, the flat is the single largest block of flats in Tiong Bahru. The building also functions as an air raid shelter and can accommodate up to 1600 people.

What are the renovation challenges the homeowners face?
As illustrated by the floor plan, the unit is made up of various odd nooks. Hence, some design treatments should be used to cover up or highlight these unusual corners.

Design: Inside Lookz

More photos of the project here. 

#4. HDB Loft Flat

Photo from AsiaOne

Where can you find it?

Queenstown Skyville@Dawson and SkyTerrace@Dawson and Punggol Treelodge@Punggol and Punggol Sapphire Loft.

Why is it so unique?
Although HDBs are still building loft HDBs, such units are still scarce and very limited in supply. With a high ceiling and a second-level set aside for bedrooms, these premium apartments are highly sought after for their bigger than normal space, of around 1582 sqft (147 sqm), which is very rare for public housing of today.

What are the renovation challenges the homeowners face?
A larger space means a bigger scope of renovation. Furthermore, due to the high ceiling, the overall renovation costs will be more costly due to the need for scaffolding.

Design: The Roomakers

More photos of the project here.

#5. HDB Jumbo Flat

Image from Dollars and Sense

Where can you find it?
Yishun, Jurong, Woodlands, Tampines and Bedok.

Why is it so unique?
There are only about 2,900 jumbo HDB flats in Singapore and were first marketed by HDB in 1989 to address the oversupply of unsold 3 and 4-room flats. HDBs are formed by combining two adjacent flats, and therefore they are even larger than executive flats can range from 1,580 sqft (146 sqm) to 2,140 sqft (199 sqm). Therefore, HDB flats of such sizes are popular with multi-generation families. However, HDB is no longer building jumbo flats.

What are the renovation challenges the homeowners face?
Again, depending on the state of the resale unit, efforts should concentrate on overhauling the electrical wires, pipes and bathroom waterproofing. Since the jumbo flat is created by joining two HDB flats, the space zoning might not be ideal. Hence, serious considerations should be made on whether the walls and bedrooms should be repositioned to optimise the space.

Design:  Artsy Edge Interior

More photos of the project here.

#6. HDB Executive Maisonette Flat

Photo from All Roads Lead to Home

Where can you find it?
Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, Bedok, Bukit Panjang, Bukit Batok, Choa Chu Kang, Hougang, Pasir Ris, Tampines, Serangoon and Sembawang.

Why is it so unique?
The HDB Executive Maisonettes (EMs) flat was first introduced in 1984 and subsequently phased out by the 2000s. Similar to an HDB terrace house the EM comes in a two-storey layout and in sizes that span from 1,475 sqft (137 sqm) to even a humongous 2,616 sqft (243 sqm). EM flats were no longer in production by 2000. Aside from huge floor space, some EMs in Bishan were built with open roof sky balconies and hence highly sought after.

What are the renovation challenges the homeowners face?
Some EMs have the most bizarre-shaped floor plan. If you are thinking of getting an EM with a unique floor plan, remember to get the help of renovation professionals for space planning and design ideas to work these tricky corners. In addition, some homeowners also shared that the stairs were steep, so they should be coated with an anti-slip material and lined with LED light strips as part of the safety features.

Image from All Roads Lead to Home

Design: The Merry Men Interiors

More photos of the project here.