Modern Deco – Office Shophouse Building at Upper Circular Road Conservation Area

o. 40 Carpenter Street is a 5-storey intermediate shophouse, facing Carpenter Street. The shophouse is to be retained as an office building with a 5-storey rear extension. OWAA has successfully reconfigured the services and staircase and, to achieve an efficient and regular internal building layout.

This current shophouse has a nondescript façade design with half-height windows and aluminium cladding.

OWAA has proposed for a revamp of the façade to bring in full-height glass to the facade glazing and to achieve a façade that is more coherent with rest of the streetscape along Carpenter Street. References are made to the art deco shophouses commonly found in the areas of Singapore River and Upper Circular Road.

The theme of Art Deco is brought in from the façade into the interior of the building. 

The Art Deco’s characteristics of intricate line art, geometric patterns and a light touch of extravagance, are given a modern interpretation 

inside the lift lobby interiors where linear tiles, marble floors, gold inlays and fluted panels bring the old world charm of the Art Deco era.