d+a | Issue 116 • Jun/July 2020

53 Hanging over it are four cylindrical pendant lights of varying lengths from the Teng series, filling the five-storey atrium. Naturally, the first floor is purely made up of communal spaces while levels two to four are occupied by the suites. All but one are twin-sharing and in them, treasures from Scene Shang can be found, such as the Jia Ju Rocking Stool, the award-winning Shang System in variations like luxe leather, rattan and acrylic, and the Banker Desk Lamp. Wong draws attention to the bed frames with their rattan weave and how they too were specifically designed for this project, since Scene Shang does not usually produce such pieces. In the Yi Suite, a sliding screen with an interlocking, rectangular matrix adds a layer of privacy from the atrium, its design again inspired by Scene Shang’s aesthetic. This same pattern repeats on the glass bricks lining the stairwell that leads up to the rooftop garden, itself another communal space perfect for an evening tipple as the day cools down. Figment has aminimumthree-month stay requirement to book a suite in Shang House and at the end of it, if the residents decide they cannot live without a piece of furniture, the good news is they can be purchased. “We are offering a shop-able boutique home experience, which also complements our retail stores,” says Wong. But more than anything, Shang House has given her the freedom to experiment, while also showcasing the breadth of possibilities with her brand. In doing so, she has created an unforgettable experience for the residents, while also ensuring Balestier’s heritage gets carried forward into the 21 st century. CREATIVE, CO- LIVING COLLECTIVE Shang House is part of Case Study Homes, a collection of co-living spaces owned and managed by developer Figment Collections that champions art, design and heritage as integral parts of life. Launched in June 2019, it was previously operating as The Lorong 24A Shophouse Series. This is made up of eight conservation shophouses in a row in Geylang (now converted to co-living spaces too), where each was refurbished by a different architect, including Liu & Wo Architects, Lekker Design and Atria Architects. Other collaborations in Case Study Homes include Canvas House along Blair Road by Ministry of Design, and Still House along Koon Seng Road by Studio Juju. The rooftop garden is one of the communal spaces in Shang House done up in a cool mint green.