Home base

LIKE most business travellers, Yoh-Chie Lu would stay in a hotel whenever he came to Singapore for work. Unlike other travellers, he did that for over 30 years.

Finally, the chairman of heart stent-maker Biosensors International has decided he's had enough of living out of a suitcase.

"I am spending more time in Singapore and with a permanent base, my family can come visit too," he says.

His wife, Kimino, and their two younger daughters, Raena and Yuka, live in the United States, and visit at Christmas. Eldest daughter, Julie, who manages her father's investments and assets, lives with him in Singapore.

The family knew what kind of home they wanted to have: not a bungalow because that would require high maintenance, but "something cosy and easier to maintain that would suit our living style," says Mr Lu.

Whereas he would spend about three weeks each time in Singapore, now he stays for "months", spending half the year here.

Their home in Singapore is a four-bedroom apartment in Nassim Road. Apart from the US, the family also has a home in Japan.

"At the end of the day, it is more comfortable to come home and sink into your favourite chair, instead of facing the four walls of a hotel room," says Mr Lu.

Roy Teo, founder of The Mill, a group of interior design companies was brought in to turn the apartment into a home. The look is contemporary, and yet soothing.

"It is a look that we won't get tired off," says Mr Lu.

Dark wooden panels by the main door create an intimate reception area. In contrast, the dining and living areas of the apartment are bright and airy, with sunlight streaming in through a row of glass doors.

While Mrs Lu does not live here, she is actively involved in the design, flying down to meet with Mr Teo to discuss ideas.

It was also Mrs Lu who picked out furniture for the home, such as pieces from Rolf Benz and Giorgetti, which have that timeless look.

The dining table is fairly large, perfect for when the whole family is around. It also doubles as a boardroom table is Mr Lu needs to hold a meeting at home.

The home also reflects the Lus' multicultural backgrounds. Mr Lu is Chinese but grew up in the US while his wife is Japanese. "Of course, we wanted it to have a bit of Singapore flavour too," says Mr Lu.

"Roy did a great job of mixing the different cultures."

Out on the balcony, Mr Teo created a Zen-like garden with a small water feature at the edge, complete with stepping stones and bonsai plants.

The zen garden blends well with the estate's landscaping, which was incidentally designed by Japanese landscape architect/priest Shunmyo Masuno.

The bespoke ceiling lamps in the dining and living areas resemble modern Chinese lanterns. Timber sliding screens by the balcony are great for blocking out the tropical sun.

Mr Teo kept the apartment's colour palette neutral so that the apartment would still look stylish many years down the road. Shades of beige, white and khaki-browns fill the rooms.

Having grown up in the US, where her home is much bigger, Ms Lu was initially surprised by how small her bedroom is, made even smaller by the bay windows.

To maximise the space, Mr Teo designed a table to fit over the bay window, so that the space can be used as a desk. He also designed for the side console to be lower than usual.

"Somehow by making things smaller, the room looks bigger," says Ms Lu.

For another bedroom, Mr Teo designed seating over the bay window, alongside a linear cupboard. The Lus reflect their background not only through their apartment but also in their choice of artworks.

An installation by American artist David Datuna hangs on the wall. Part of the Viewpoints of Million series, from afar it is a picture of the American flag, but up close the installation depicts things that symbolise the US.

Over on another wall, hangs a painting of Mount Fuji, by Tamako Kataoka, who is known for drawing the Japanese icon.

"The art you see is very personal. Roy told us to pick the pieces that we wanted, and he would design the apartment around them," says Mr Lu.

Perhaps because the apartment is still fairly new, it looks more like a luxurious hotel suite than a home, but there are little details that prove otherwise.

Mr Lu's "Tree of Life" ornaments dot the shelves around the apartment, while his collection of watches is on display in the study.

Then there is his pride and joy - a pair of Steinway speakers in the living room. The avid audiophile enjoys listening to classical music and jazz.

"Not so much pop, but I like the occasional Jason Mraz," he says. His two other homes also have quality audio systems, and he adds that he no longer needs to go to concerts.

"I always carry my music with me" says Mr Lu. "At the end of the day, I can enjoy the music the way I like, something that I cannot do in a hotel room."

taysc@sph.com.sg

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