21 Carpenter

Architecture WOHA Architects

Architecture WOHA Architects

A contrast of past and present comprising a landmark building and a contemporary five-story structure.

Formerly a remittance house, and a site of significance for first-generation Singaporean immigrants, the hotel pays tribute to this history with contemporary inscribed architecture by weaving poems into the facade. The new building contrasts with the old, maintaining a meaningful dialogue and allowing the past and present to complement each other.

Interior design WOHA Architects

21 Carpenter is a masterpiece of reclaimed materials, emblems, and inscriptions from the original house, breathing new life into old stories.

Inspired by the legacy of the landmark building, WOHA has designed contemporary custom furniture that unites modernism and Art Deco with Asian character. Rooms feature meticulously restored Chengal flooring and ribbed glass that harken back to the original building. Artist Richard Hassell has created beautiful calligraphy-inspired works that translate the emotions of the workers who once dwelled here into classical poetry. Throughout the hotel, minimalistic space and large windows form bright, inviting spaces.