1. Akigai is designed by four-time President's Design Award winner Yip Yuen Hong and finds its unique place in Novena, the storied neighbourhood that is a juxtaposition of modern swanky architecture and cafes, and heritage shophouses and old bungalows. Yuen Hong is an advocate and a practitioner of a solutions-driven design approach in which simplicity takes centrestage. That simplicity from distilling complex requirements to create a space that brings excitement and magic is thus, his ikigai.
    

2. His design concept behind Ikigai is to create something of great serenity, of quietude and calm. It’s because he is reacting to the noise that we have, the sort of visual noise that we have in abundance. From the user’s point of view, one would be looking for clean, very no-fuss kind of look. Very subtle, very understated.
    

3. His tendency is to go for a simple and authentic expression. The vision is to create a sense of luxury with a minimal palette and finishes. He has limited himself to using char wood, which is reinforced concrete with char wood texture. Char wood is a materiality  that's not much used or seen in this part of the world. What he is trying to do is use this material and continue it all the way to the inside, with different types of wood, different tones of granite. The idea is to have two different extremes in materiality - on the one hand something very brutalist, while on the other side, something very polished. For instance, when we use granite, against char wood, this contrast of the polished versus the brutalist - from two different ends of the spectrum - result in something that's very elegant. 
    

4. This design of Ikigai embodies a creation of a sanctuary, a haven for people to be themselves and to express themselves. It is also a refuge for people to shut down from the world and if possible, shut their minds too. The colour scheme is very muted. The exterior is grey, almost black, with dark tinted glass curtain walling. Internally, there is different shades of grey, a variety of granite, and also different types of wood. This is to try to push the architectural expression to achieve something unique and different.
   
   Its design philosophy is to provide a practical living space for the homeowners. It is much in line with the modernists' theory of Form follows Function, but with a dash of magic thrown in.
    

5. The Garden of Ikigai. The foliage, rocks and trees diffuse the tropical heat and humidity to transcend into coolness and a deep calm. Lush greenery and tranquility encircle the residence, designed to relieve you from the fast pace and stress of a modern-day lifestyle. A garden that ties you with the fundamentals of the world - trees and plants on the land laid with sand and stones, framed by the sky overhead. Peaceful, meditative and vibrantly green. You amble through a line of granite columns and a rhapsody of towering trees, lively brushes and colourful blooms that sway with the gentle breeze. Sitting on one of the stone benches along the nature-filled path inspires reflection, to look inwards and at your life's journey. It is your oasis to quiet your heart and freshen your mind. To find beauty of the natural world, as well as depth of simple things.
    

6. The Inside Of Ikigai. Simplicity extends into Ikigai's interior in a minimalist touch that combines the timeless elegance of Japanese aesthetics with the modern flair of Scandinavian design. The hybrid style combines art and nature for a balanced and perfect blend of function and form.
   
   The similarities in design sensibilities of the two styles can be traced back to 150 years ago when ties between Japan and Scandinavia, especially Denmark, began in trade and cultural exchanges. While they are on the opposite sides of the globe, both value simplicity and functionality, sustainability and a love of natural materials like wood, as well as a deep respect for craftmanship. Traces of Japanese influence are seen in today's Danish ceramics, furniture, architecture and minimalism, as is the case for Danish elements in Japanese art and aesthetics.
   
   The crossover harmonises the Scandi notion of 'hygge' (cosiness) and Japanese 'wabi-sabi' (beauty in imperfection), using a plethora of natural materials, muted colours, clean lines with well-curated furnishings to create a calming atmosphere to unwind.

​