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Sat, November 29, 2025
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Japanese-Inspired Luxury Home Becomes Serene Weekend Retreat
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Published in House and Home on Saturday, November 29th 2025 at 17:47 GMT by Channel NewsAsia Singapore- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
A Serene Sanctuary: The Japanese‑Inspired Luxury Home Turned Weekend Retreat
Channel News Asia’s “Obsessions” series has long been a go‑to for readers seeking the newest and most opulent homes on the market. In its latest installment, the publication takes us on an exclusive tour of a jaw‑dropping, Japanese‑styled retreat that sits just a short drive from Singapore’s bustling city centre. The house, described as a “Japanese house weekend retreat,” is a blend of traditional Japanese aesthetics, contemporary luxury, and cutting‑edge sustainability that invites us to pause, breathe, and reconnect with nature.
Setting the Scene
The property is nestled in the quiet enclave of Bukit Timah, a neighbourhood that straddles the line between Singapore’s dense urban core and the serene, lush forested highlands. From the street, the house is a gentle white silhouette framed by an expansive courtyard of bamboo and moss. Once you step inside, the design philosophy becomes crystal‑clear: a seamless integration of the indoors with the outdoors, a focus on natural materials, and a strong emphasis on light and space.
The house was designed by Singapore‑based architect Ravi Chandra, who has built a reputation for blending Eastern and Western sensibilities in his work. Chandra explains, “The goal was to create a living space that feels both luxurious and tranquil, a place that could be a sanctuary for the owners on a weekend escape from the everyday bustle.” The result is a 4,200‑square‑foot home that appears to float on the edge of a forest, its wooden floors and shoji screens echoing the simplicity of a traditional Japanese washitsu.
Interior Highlights
1. The Living‑Space: A Minimalist Masterpiece
The central living area is a sprawling, open‑plan space that boasts a generous 18‑foot ceiling. Floor‑to‑ceiling windows invite daylight to pour in, while a wall‑mounted sliding screen offers privacy when needed. The décor is restrained: a low‑profile sofa, a wooden coffee table with a lacquered finish, and a series of subtle, natural‑tone artworks. The walls are painted in a muted sage‑green that mirrors the surrounding forest, and the floor is finished with reclaimed teak that is both warm and sustainable.
2. The Kitchen & Dining
The kitchen is a chef’s dream. Built with a Japanese shoji style counter, the cabinetry is minimalistic, featuring clean lines and a hidden storage system that eliminates clutter. The island is equipped with a built‑in induction range, a smart refrigerator, and a small, sleek espresso machine. Across from the kitchen, the dining area boasts a low‑profile wooden table that seats six, surrounded by a set of simple, lacquered chairs. A bespoke, handcrafted kagami‑bako (mirror box) serves as a unique centerpiece that reflects the room’s natural light.
3. Bedrooms: Tranquil Lounges of Light
The house includes two bedrooms, each of which is a haven of quiet. The master suite features a built‑in tatami floor, a wall‑mounted shoji screen, and a built‑in wardrobe that blends seamlessly into the wood finish. A walk‑in closet opens onto a small balcony that offers a breathtaking view of the forest. The secondary bedroom is similarly designed but with a slightly smaller footprint, making it ideal for guests or a home office.
4. Bathrooms: The Art of Japanese Bathing
The bathrooms are perhaps the most striking aspect of the home. Both rooms incorporate a kawaki stone bathtub, a staple of Japanese onsen culture. The bathrooms use natural stone tiles, bamboo accents, and a rain‑shower fixture that delivers a spa‑like experience. A small furo (towel rack) with a hand‑crafted bamboo design adds a touch of artisanal elegance.
Outdoor Space: Zen and Beyond
The outdoor areas of the house are as carefully curated as the interiors. A central courtyard boasts a bamboo grove, a small koi pond, and a shōji screen that separates the garden from the living area. A wooden deck that extends onto a private patio offers the perfect spot for sunrise yoga or an evening of stargazing. The deck is finished in warm teak, complementing the interior wood finishes, and includes a small fire pit for those cooler nights.
A highlight of the outdoor space is the Zen garden that sits beside the koi pond. Shaped with raked gravel and placed among carefully selected stones, the garden is a visual representation of wabi‑sabi—the Japanese aesthetic that finds beauty in imperfection and impermanence. The house also features a small kōji (climbing) garden, where bamboo shoots climb a trellis, adding a dynamic, living element to the landscape.
Sustainable Design
Sustainability is woven throughout the house’s design. The roof is equipped with solar panels that cover about 30% of the home’s electricity usage. A rainwater harvesting system collects rainwater from the roof, which is then filtered and used for irrigation and the bathroom cistern. The house uses high‑efficiency LED lighting and a smart home system that adjusts lighting and temperature automatically based on occupancy and weather conditions. The natural wood and stone finishes further reduce the home’s environmental impact, as they are sourced locally and treated with non‑toxic finishes.
The Owners’ Story
The house is owned by Tan Yuen Lin, a Singaporean entrepreneur who founded a successful fintech startup. Tan explains that she envisioned a space that could serve as both a personal retreat and a place to host guests. “After months of searching for a home that truly reflected my love for nature and simplicity, this house met all my expectations,” Tan says. The house also serves as a space where she can host small gatherings, offering her guests an immersive experience in Japanese culture—complete with tea ceremonies, seasonal Japanese meals, and guided nature walks in the nearby forest.
Where to See It
If you’re intrigued by this blend of traditional Japanese style and modern luxury, the house is currently on the market through the Singapore Real Estate Agency Cedar Realty. The listing details the house’s 4,200 square feet of living space, the 8,000‑yen budget for interior furnishing, and the fact that the property is available for viewing by appointment only. For those wishing to explore the house’s design ethos, the article also links to a short documentary by the Channel News Asia’s production team, which features interviews with the architect and the owners.
Final Thoughts
The “Japanese house weekend retreat” is more than a luxury home—it’s an invitation to pause, reflect, and reconnect. Through its minimalist interior, natural materials, and thoughtful outdoor spaces, the house offers a rare escape from the hectic pace of city life. For those who desire a home that’s both opulent and serene, this property stands as an inspiring example of how architecture and nature can come together to create a truly transformative living environment.
Read the Full Channel NewsAsia Singapore Article at:
[ https://www.channelnewsasia.com/obsessions/luxury-home-tour-japanese-house-weekend-retreat-5491091 ]
