Singapore shophouses (conservation housing)

There has been a revival of interest in vernacular and colonial architecture, shophouses being a prime example of the former. Today, as a result of this new interest, we see many sophisticated works of Modernism, translating ancient vernaculars into strikingly fresh statements.

There are lots of shophouses with funky interiors on Kim Yam, a lot of them with the water features that have come to be associated with the area. The smaller units's decor range from funky boutiqe hotel interiors(with uncomfortable-looking but impossibly hip,sunken limestone bathtubs. Then there are the classy zen pieces on Emerald Hill (photos are shown here) and the eclectic design-incorporating everything from waterfalls, funky toilet designs and the traditional patios in one single house on Cairnhill.

Diverging from the well-trodden paths of the KimYam/Emerald/Cainrhill triumvirate yields surprising finds. Everton and Blair are popular choices as well, but with none of the swanky interiors typical of the aforementioned areas. Area however has a more Bohemian feel about it and is where the expat literati tend to congregate. The Petain Road area( around Serangoon road) is a well-kept secret amongst the expats. It has a small expat community residing in the row of shophouses, with an antique furniture gallery a la John Erdos along the street. The Geylang area brings you a shophouse with an interior design comparable to the ones on Emerald and Cairnhill but at a much lower rent of $6.5k
Rentals vary from $11-17k for shophouses with 4,000-5,000sqft of built up and swanky interiors in the Emerald/Cairnhill areas to $2.3k for a small studio type shophouse. Minimal renovation shophouses cost between $5.5k to $8k to rent in the popular Emerald/Cairnhill areas as well. Kim Yam shophouses are normally very funky and will please those who need modern spaces and appreciate exclusive designs over the cookie cutter interiors of apartments. The Blair and Everton road shophouses are a motley bunch-I've seen those with baroque interiors, those with minimal renovations, but neighbourhood is typically bohemian. Rentals range from $2.7k-$8k.