The lofty spaces of the three-storey shophouse play host to the whimsical installation They Resemble The Garden (2021) by local artist Khairullah Rahim. The work is part of pigeon (people like us), an ongoing project in which the artist explores the parallel between the doomed plights of pigeons in rigorously pest-controlled Singapore and marginalised individuals, who must navigate close surveillance and social norms in environments similarly hostile to them.

They Resemble The Garden hovers over the communal dining area on the first floor, where beholders can gaze at and contemplate the florid fowls, shaped from plastic fruits and vegetables, that appear poised to descend upon them. A series of digital studies related to the process and production of the artwork can be found in various spaces around the house. Along with the avian-inspired studio names, the entire shophouse echoes the central subject of the artist’s masterpiece.

The quaint architecture, imposing limestone lions, and traditional pintu pagar doors of the shophouse set a charming old-world scene, and belies the comfortable and modern interiors within. The communal lounge on the first floor features high ceilings with exposed timber beams, and plenty of natural light streaming through the central airwell. The functional space is ripe for interaction and leisure – plush sofas and coffee tables for casual chats, and a fully-equipped kitchen with an island counter for whipping up hearty meals.

The house is split into two wings. Spoonbill, Plover, and Koel Studios are in the front wing, whilst Barbet, Oriole, and Starling are in the back. All members are welcome to use the other common area located on the third floor of the front wing, where they can cook, do laundry or hang out at the bar table.

All Studios are self-sufficient, with adjoining bathrooms and a compact kitchenette. Like the rest of the house, Studios are newly refurbished, sporting simple furnishings that complement the warm hardwood floors and tall sloping ceilings. In light of pandemic-normalised WFH orders, all Studios come with work desks and high-speed WiFi for members’ optimum productivity.