Hi there!
The Design Abode is an award-winning environmental design studio that delivers honest & unpretentious spatial solutions unique to each context & user.
Licensed architectural services will be undertaken in association with WKL Architects.
Awards
Nominee, World Architecture Festival Awards 2011 | Mont Timah (Director’s employment under Chan Sau Yan Associates)
SIA Architectural Design Awards 2011 | Mont Timah (Director’s employment under Chan Sau Yan Associates)
Gold, PAM Awards 2012 | Mont Timah (Director’s employment under Chan Sau Yan Associates)
Honourable Mention, Arcasia Awards 2013 | Mont Timah (Director’s employment under Chan Sau Yan Associates)
SIA Architectural Design Awards 2013 | 43 Jln Naga Sari (Director’s employment under Formwerkz Architects)
President’s Design Award 2015 | DECK (Director’s employment under LAUD Architects)
SIA Architectural Design Awards 2015 | DECK (Director’s employment under LAUD Architects)
SIA Architectural Design Awards 2016 | Philips APAC Center (Director’s employment under LAUD Architects)
Word Architecture Festival Awards 2016 | Philips APAC Center (Director’s employment under LAUD Architects)
International Property Awards 2017 | Philips APAC Center (Director’s employment under LAUD Architects)
URA Architectural Heritage Awards 2014 | Shophouse at Neil Road (in association with Ong&Ong Pte Ltd)
Honourable Mention, SIA Architectural Design Awards 2015 | Shophouse at Neil Road (in association with Ong&Ong Pte Ltd)
Nominee, LEAF awards 2015 | Shophouse at Neil Road (in association with Ong&Ong Pte Ltd)
Bronze, LIAS Awards of Excellence 2013 | HG Metal HQ (in association with Far East Flora Pte Ltd)
Silver, IDCS Design Excellence Awards 2015 | HG Metal HQ
Gold, IDCS Design Excellence Awards 2016 | Oriental Castle HQ
Gold, IDCS Design Excellence Awards 2017 | The Canopi
Gold, IDCS Design Excellence Awards 2017 | Lattice80
Best of Houzz 2017 & 2018 | Utilitarian Apartment
Finalist, AHEAD Asia 2021 | Natra Bintan
Gold, Singapore Interior Design Awards 2021 | YTC Corporation Office
Winner, LIV Hospitality Awards 2022 | Natra Bintan
Best of the Year, Asia Pacific Design Awards for Elite 2023 | Natra Bintan
Shortlist, INT Interior Design Awards 2024 | All Things Delicious
Winner, INT Interior Design Awards 2024 | YTC Corporation Office
Our Team
Ewan Wong
Founder | BA.arch (Hons), M.arch
Ewan honed his craft under the mentorship of veteran award-winning architect Sonny Chan, working on tropical residential and hospitality developments before leaving to start a family, a cafe and a small design firm - which grew into a humble abode of thoughtful designers.
Ewan maintained his architectural practice under the heritage of his father, as the Associate Director of WKL Architects, while embarking on yet another adventure as the Head of Lifestyle Development at DIDI Group.
Minghui Toh
Managing Director | BA.arch (Hons), M.arch
Minghui is a registered architect and Associate at WKL Architects, with a diverse experience in both boutique projects and larger institutional projects under renown firms Formwerkz Architects and LAUD Architects respectively. Following former collaborations with The Design Abode, Minghui returned to lead the firm to greater heights as an Associate Director.
He is now a professional multi-tasker helming the firm while fathering 2 young and active kids.
Shaunice Ten
Associate | B.arch (Hons), M.arch
Shaunice is a registered architect and was a recipient of BCA’s Industry Scholarship. Her thesis won runner-up at the Jacques Rougerie “Innovation and Architecture for the Sea” Award. Amongst features in several exhibitions and publications, her work was a Finalist at the World Architectural Festival Student Charette 2015.
After a broad experience at JGP Architecture which included high density residential and mixed developments, Shaunice now enjoys crafting bespoke details for boutique projects.
She still dreams of being a Nat Geo photographer one day.
Pei Xuan Lee
Snr Interior Designer | Dip. Interior Architecture & Design
Pei Xuan spent her formative years in workplace hospitality design, crafting work spaces for corporations such as Feen Marine based in Batam, and collaboration spaces for Capitaland’s co-working brand The Workshop, along with proposals for Transferwise and Decathalon. Her scope spans from the design concept to the execution on site, working closely with all stakeholders and craftsmen.
Where time permits, Pei Xuan enjoys dabbling with small art & craft projects, honing her eye for detail.
Trina Tay
Snr Interior Design Associate | B. Interior Design
Trina graduated from Swinburne University and has extensive experience as an FF&E designer for hospitality and commercial projects, before her role was broadened as an experience designer at Union and Ong&Ong. Her stint as a bespoke jewelry maker at Eden + Ellie reflects her innate love for details - pretty patterns, tactile textures, contrasting colours.
Trina is a full-time mum, part-time designer, and life-long craft enthusiast.
Valarie Yap
Architectural Designer | B.arch (Hons), M.arch
Valarie was the recipient of the Lee Kip Lin Medal for Best Graduating Student at NUS, as well winner of the Board of Architects Prize for both her Part 1 & Part 2 architectural degree and Singapore Institute of Architects Medal for her M.arch. She started her architectural journey at The Design Abode & WKL Architects after some hands-on experience at IKEA.
Valarie has a long bucket list to check out the best eateries and hippest cafes.
Wong Kon Loong
Advisor, WKL Architects | Dip.arch
Kon Loong graduated from Gordon Institute of Technology and became a registered architect in Melbourne in 1969. After a stint in Buchan Laird & Buchan, he returned to Singapore to join the Urban Renewal Department in the Housing Development Board. When the Urban Redevelopment Authority was set up in 1971, Kon Loong crossed over to pioneer urban development as a senior architect.
In 1980, he set up WKL Architects specializing in boutique detached houses, on top of other residential and industrial developments.
The grandfather of 8 enjoys cooking, gardening and woodwork.
Joycelyn Wong
Technical Manager, WKL Architects | Dip.arch tech, Dip.Comp Sci, Grad Dip.BA
Joycelyn’s extensive experience in established architectural firms including Chao Tse Ann Architects, DP Architects and William Lim Associates covers a wide spectrum of projects. Joycelyn honed her project management ability during her employment under Southern Pacific Hotels and Pacific Design, where she was responsible for coordinating hospitality developments across Asia.
Joycelyn now overseas the technical coordination for WKL Architects, on top of continuing her maternal duties at home.
Reuben Png
Advisor | B. Industrial Design (Hons), M.Comm & Econ
Reuben is the founder and CEO of IndegoX, and is passionate to see positive transformation that enable users and organizations to fulfil their purpose. Reuben introduces design thinking to the conceptualization of the built environment, as part of a holistic, user-centric experience.
Reuben is accredited by TÜV SÜD PSB as an Expert Singapore Certified Management Consultant.
Rachael Ng
Technical Associate & BIM Specialist | Dip.arch, Specialist Dip.BIM
Rachel spent several years working in renown firms Forum Architects, Ong&Ong and SCDA Architects, covering a range of architectural projects from the design development to construction stage. She then continued as a freelance consultant, before obtaining a Specialist Diploma in BIM from BCA Academy.
Rachael is involved in yearly church missions where she reaches out the needy in the region.
Quin Yeo
Studio Manager | B. Accountancy
Quin is the founder and CEO of The Quin’s Consult. Juggling multiple roles as a mother, corporate secretary and business administration manager at The Design Abode and WKL Architects, the efficient multi-tasker manages each task with a positive spirit.
Kristine Roxas
Asst Studio Manager | B.Comm
Kristine is part of The Quin’s Consult, and handles the accounts and HR at The Design Abode and WKL Architects. Her meticulous nature and patient character enables her to address the dynamic needs of a small business.
Rama Adhitya
Architectural Associate, Jakarta | B.arch
Upon graduating from Parahyangan University in Bandung, Rama spend a stint in PDW Architects in Jakarta before spending the next 11 years in Singapore at established firms WOW Design Studio, DP Architects and MAPS Design.
Rama’s extensive experience covers a strong focus in hospitality and mixed developments, designing for brands such as Le Meridien, Pullman, Hyatt, Hilton and Citadines across China, Indonesia, Vietnam and Myanmar.
Rama returned back to Jakarta where he now practices under Breathe Architects, co-founded with Laurenthia and The Design Abode’s associate firm in Indonesia.
Laurenthia Wiyanty
Architectural Associate, Jakarta | B.arch
Laurenthia started her practice at PDW Architects after graduating from Parahyangan University, Bandung. She then honed her architectural skill at award-winning d-associates, before starting up Breathe Design / Breathe Architects while co-running her family’s business in the hospitality industry supplying hotel amenities.
In 2020, Laurenthia decided to accompany her husband Rama in Singapore during the pandemic. She continued her practice at award-winning firm ipli Architects.
Post-pandemic, she is back with family and the firm she started, collaborating with The Design Abode.
Natchamai Chatasiriphan
Architectural Associate, Bangkok | B.arch
Natchamai graduated from Chiangmai University and started her architectural career at London-based Marques & Jordy, before working at leading Thai firm Architects 49 on a number of hospitality & commercial projects. She moved to award-winning firm RT+Q Architects before spending a couple of years at The Design Abode’s Singapore office.
Since the pandemic, Natchamai now practices in Bangkok where she’s close to home and enjoys exploring her beautiful country.