A 5-room HDB resale flat in Hougang showcases a unique design centered around a family’s passion for sneakers. The 904 sq ft home features a skate-ramp-inspired conversation pit and illuminated displays, turning the living space into a sneaker showcase. This innovative design not only highlights the family’s love for sneakers but also integrates their lifestyle seamlessly, creating a space that is both functional and deeply personal.
Homeowners Jumadi and Siti worked with Subash Satapha from Reborn Interior to create a space that highlights Jumadi’s 157-pair sneaker collection. The design includes low cubbies and integrated lighting, making the sneakers the focal point of the home. Subash’s approach was to design around the family’s lifestyle, ensuring that the sneakers were not just stored but celebrated as part of their daily lives. This involved understanding how the family interacted with their space and incorporating their passions into every detail.
A Collection with a Story
Jumadi’s collection began with 10 pairs in his youth and grew steadily as he started working. A recent trip to Jakarta brought the total to 157 pairs. Unlike typical collectors, Jumadi has worn 60% of his sneakers, and he hopes his children will eventually wear some of them. This collection is not just about owning shoes; it’s about the memories and stories attached to each pair. Jumadi’s earliest Converse and Adidas pairs mark the starting point of his collection.
The collection is not just about the shoes; it’s about the stories behind them. Each pair holds a memory, from Jumadi’s early Converse and Adidas sneakers to the first shoes he bought for his children. The display charts the growth of his collection and its integration into family life. A glass-topped display preserves the children’s first sneakers. “The green Converse at the top right was the first shoe I bought for my baby, my firstborn,” Jumadi recalls. “Basically, every shoe has a story. The pink pair at the bottom left, we bought for my firstborn when we went to London.” These displays not only showcase the sneakers but also tell the family’s story, making the collection a living narrative.
Designing Around a Passion
Subash’s approach was to design around the family’s lifestyle rather than treating the sneakers as standalone storage. He merged the idea of a skate deck with the need to display the shoes, creating a raised structure that encloses the seating area. The result is a sunken living room effect without lowering the floor. This design not only maximizes space but also creates a dynamic and engaging environment. The raised display ledges serve a dual purpose: they provide storage for the sneakers while also defining the seating area, making the space both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
The conversation pit, with its eclectic seating, reflects the family’s playful and informal personality. The children use the skate-ramp-inspired curves to play with their fingerboards, and the space has become a favorite for both the family and their guests. The design went through several iterations to ensure it met the family’s needs. An opening was introduced at one corner to make it easier for guests to enter, although most people, especially the children, enjoy jumping or climbing over the sides. This playful element adds to the informal and fun atmosphere of the space.
A Home Built for Hosting
The living room is not just about the sneakers; it’s also designed for hosting. The common bedroom wall was shifted to create more room for entertaining. The home’s design seamlessly blends the family‘s passions with their lifestyle, creating a space that is both functional and deeply personal. From the sneaker displays to the hosting amenities, every element reflects the family’s unique story and interests.
The organic TV wall niches, hand-drawn and refined on site, carry the conversation pit’s curves upwards, adding a touch of artistry to the space. These niches are now filled with family photographs and mementoes, giving quieter memories a place among the more exuberant collections below. The result is a home that not only showcases Jumadi’s sneaker collection but also celebrates the family’s shared experiences and interests.
