This wardrobe was part of an ensemble of six furniture pieces designed by Singapore architect Tay Kheng Soon (b. 1940) while he was pursuing his Diploma in Architecture at the Singapore Polytechnic between 1958 and 1963. It was a personal project he undertook for the matrimonial home of his wife's cousin, a semi-detached house in the vicinity of East Coast Road.Displaying a rich and exquisite wood grain, this two-door teak wardrobe was produced using the bookmatching technique in woodworking, which involves cutting a single, continuous piece of wood in half to form the adjourning surfaces. They are then arranged to mirror each other, like the pages of an open book, creating a symmetrical, visually striking pattern that accentuates the natural grain, colour, and texture of the timber. The wardrobe is supported by metal legs whose design echoes that of the accompanying dining table and dressing table. On the whole it embodies an exploration of modern and minimal formal language inspired by De Stijl and Bauhaus. This integration of modern design sensibilities with vernacular lifestyles and locally sourced materials reflects Tay's early pursuit of tropical modernism — which would become a central theme in his future architectural practice.
