Mondrian Hotel Takes Shape In Singapore With Nearby Shophouses Etched Into Form

Image courtesy of Mondrian Singapore Duxton

“Don’t touch the art” is not a rule in this swanky hotel newly emerged in Singapore. You’ll be breathing and sleeping in it.

As with its eight sister properties in other cities of the world, Mondrian Singapore Duxton—which opened its doors in June—combines art, architecture, and the vicinity’s culture for a unique hotel experience. In particular, this brainchild of Los Angeles’ Studio Carter and Singapore’s DP Architects borrows from the adjacent traditional shophouses with a modern twist.

Image courtesy of Mondrian Singapore Duxton

Robbyn Carter, the Los Angeles native charged with the project, brings her personal connection with Singaporean culture to the forefront, having spent six years living in a shophouse. This intimate understanding helped her infuse the property—along with its art, furniture, and materials—with the vibrant soul of the happening Duxton Hill, and define the hotel as a “deconstructed shophouse.”

The host neighborhood sits right in the middle of the country’s new and old. Peering from one window, you could see the rustic, solid hues of Chinatown, while another presents you with views of towering gray skyscrapers from the central business district.

“Duxton Hill is like nowhere else, it’s Singapore’s most happening district,” explains Carter. “It feels like a village with its preserved shophouses and eclectic mix of cocktail bars, restaurants and nightlife.”

Image courtesy of Mondrian Singapore Duxton

Every Mondrian hotel is playfully crafted to celebrate the essence of its location. The Mondrian Singapore Duxton stands as a testament to this ethos, inviting guests and locals alike to immerse themselves in the vibrant culture of Singapore.

Image courtesy of Mondrian Singapore Duxton

In this “deconstructed shophouse,” traditional elements are dissected and reimagined into contemporary forms, resulting in a fusion of familiar and unexpected reflecting Singapore's rich melting pot of cultures.

“For me, it’s always about form, it’s always about space,” Carter explains. “It’s not just about putting a beautiful object there, there and there, sometimes it’s about the negative space. A lot of my design is very sculptural, and takes more of a compositional approach.”

Image courtesy of Mondrian Singapore Duxton

The Shophouse Suites, a distinctive highlight of the hotel, recreate old-timey features such as vaulted ceilings, timber accents, and arched half-doors that allow daylight to seep in.

Image courtesy of Mondrian Singapore Duxton

“We love the idea of a slick glass box of the shower protruding through the rough plaster walls,” expresses Carter. “The minibar we call the cloud bar, I was inspired by flying in and out of Singapore. We brought in some warm timber accents, some beautiful lighting options, arches coated in copper or steel, and contemporary custom furniture which is very iconic to Mondrian.”

Image courtesy of Mondrian Singapore Duxton

Image courtesy of Mondrian Singapore Duxton

“Rather than a direct translation, we took its parts and deconstructed it into contemporary forms. We wanted to recognize it but also reinvent it, that Singapore silhouette. To rediscover old details in contemporary and unexpected touches.”

Image courtesy of Mondrian Singapore Duxton

You’ll also discover a lively restaurant and bar vibe replacing the conventional lobby. This more open area, with lush greenery woven in, reflects the neighborhood’s sense of community. Large wavy metal mirrors “distort and challenge perceptions,” while echoing Singapore’s surrounding waters.

Artwork by Ian Davenport, one of the pieces enlivening the space. Image courtesy of Mondrian Singapore Duxton

To complete the picture, Mondrian commissioned graphic artwork inspired by “the flora and fauna, the architecture, the new with the historical,” to line the hotel’s rooms and restaurant.

Image courtesy of Mondrian Singapore Duxton

The grand finale awaits on the rooftop, where the 1970s Hollywood-inspired Canyon Club Rooftop Bar and Poolside Cabanas offer a breathtaking panorama of the Singapore skyline and charming terracotta shophouse rooftops. “Retro-vibed low velvet pink-hued seating sets the scene at the bar, leading to vibrant striped cabanas by the water,” notes the hotel.

Image courtesy of Mondrian Singapore Duxton

Image courtesy of Mondrian Singapore Duxton

The hotel’s general manager Robert C. Hauck remarks: “Mondrian Singapore Duxton’s design has a considered simplicity and an inspired approach to celebrating our unique location and culture… it’s all about inviting the community in and providing a space where possibilities are endless.”

Image courtesy of Mondrian Singapore Duxton

[via Mondrian Singapore Duxton, images courtesy]