In his brief, Ang wanted to avoid anything too pristine and “executive looking”. He also eschewed the dark and moody interiors that are trending today. “Your home will lack warmth. That will also subconsciously affect your mood [in a negative way]. It was very clear to me that I wanted this home to be homely, practical and clean—not one that just looks good but feels cold,” Ang comments.

The triplex penthouse's abundant natural light certainly brings an uplifting quality to the home. “I believe it helps immensely with one’s well-being—and that’s coming from a hardcore gamer,” reflects Ang. At one side of the living area, a screen of woven brass-coloured aluminium mesh stretches seven metres, mitigating the heat and glare from the western sun. In the evening, it imbibes the space “with a warm golden glow”, describes Leong Lai Ping, a senior associate at K2LD Architects who worked on the home. 

The element takes a page from one of the firm’s best-known projects, Golden Box, which deploys the mesh as a building skin. The subtle feature shimmers against a general monochromatic palette of brass and cognac brown accents. “Dark-stained timber panelling with stainless steel skirting along the living area’s passageway counterbalances the rich colours of the mesh,” Leong shares.     

Also read: Step inside this sprawling heritage bungalow, where history meets modern luxury

The five-bedroom triplex penthouse houses the common and serviced areas on the first level, bedrooms and a study on the second level, and an entertainment space on the rooftop with a 17m-long lap pool. When asked if he swims there often, Ang says that it is mostly used by his guests, as the avid badminton player spends more time on the courts for his exercise.

The spacious abode is certainly an upgrade from his former three-bedroom condominium apartment, with separate zones for entertaining and living in. Although it was much smaller, Ang was happy with that home. This eventual purchase came about as his entrepreneurial acumen pointed him to the wiser decision of investing in Singapore’s resilient property market.

With no need for all five bedrooms—Ang stays here alone—Leong enlarged the master bedroom wing and converted an adjacent bedroom into a personal TV lounge, accessible from the sleeping area via fluted glass sliding doors. A collection of guitars here offers a clue as to his musical interests, as does the Yamaha baby grand piano in the living area downstairs which Ang sometimes plays.

Don't miss: Kai Suites in Singapore: K2LD Architects on the luxury confinement centre's design elements

The triplex penthouse's original study room was improved as Ang sometimes works from home. “The wall facing the double-storey living area was removed for a view to the lower level, replaced with a black steel-clad frame with glass infill to evoke an industrial aesthetic. Metallic mesh within the laminated glass panel adds to the luxurious ambience,” Leong explains.    

While the pandemic has disrupted many businesses—Secretlab included—Ang shares that things have now stabilised. “We’re back to having breakout results, on top of having a more diversified yet still on-brand range of products. We’re still working on a long list of future products that we think will delight fans while still being commercial successes, so stay tuned for those.”

The appreciative Ang gives much credit to the staff who work alongside him. “Every day, I think of how it is a real privilege to work with these guys, making innovative and commercially successful products, and building a brand beloved by millions around the world. All while being a commercial success,” he says. And what of his GCB? “It’s been too chaotic and busy for me at work, so I haven’t been able to spend time [renovating it]. Besides, I love this current penthouse too much to even bother for now.”

NOW READ

Home tour: This luxurious Good Class Bungalow houses a neurosurgeon’s remarkable art collection

Home tour: A Singapore black-and-white bungalow designed in the style of an English manor

Home tour: How Studio If merged two penthouses near Orchard Road into a super one