The Orient Review

There’s a new way to visit a showflat from the comfort of your own home. Check out The Orient in virtual reality by clicking here. 

Aurum Land’s previous projects, 1919 – The Black and White Residences in Mount Sophia and Three 11 on Upper Thomson Road, had clear European and nature influences respectively. For The Orient, Aurum Land wanted to dive back into a style less frequently seen.

Taking its cues from Shanghai during the 20s, when it was known as the ‘Paris of the East’, Aurum Land set out to create its third defining project.

The Orient side facade

The Orient’s design is evocative of the ornate screens that were commonplace for centuries in traditional Chinese homes. with a grey and black façade highlighted by thin black interlocking frames.

This fusion design is not just ornamental however. From within the units, the geometric patterns contribute to the balcony, creating a sort of an unobtrusive bar table that is fluidly integrated into the overall look of the unit.

Credit: Aurum Land

This blending of design and usability stands out. It also creates a harmony in the unit that is rarely ever felt in cookie-cutter developments, let alone luxury projects that prefer to bedazzle viewers with lavishness rather than aesthetics.

The smaller air-con ledge is also appreciated as it keeps the living space from being cannibalised to make room for other out of sight nooks.

The Orient is low-density, with only 52 units, four of which are 1-bedroom and one being a 4-bedroom penthouse and the majority being 2-bedrooms. But the developer’s attention to detail and consistency has been established in its earlier projects.

As consistency and quality is a hallmark of Aurum Land’s projects, only a 2-bedroom unit needs to be on display.

2-bedroom Type B4 (721 sqft): The Orient is not a big project and its land – approx. 29,000 sqft – is rectangular. Thanks to this, the units do not suffer from odd little corners that tend to bug units with a more geometrically challenged layout.

From the main entrance, it is apparent that the rectangular layout was used well. The open kitchen is on the left followed by a dining table that generously sits six people or so and a four-seater couch in the ‘living area’ next to the balcony.

Credit: Aurum Land

The space is long, but not narrow. The 3.2m high ceiling certainly helps with alleviating some of that compactness but ultimately, it all boils down to the unit being exceedingly well designed.

The cooking area comes with the usual selection of appliances, including Brandt washing machine and dryer. The other items, microwave, hood and electric hob, are by Bosch. No fridge is provided but there will be a space for a fridge to be slotted in.

Built-in fridges do look nice, but ultimately, are cumbersome to change or repair when they break down. This way, the owner can find a fridge that suits their tastes and preferences. Type B3 units, which are dual-key units have an under counter fridge provided.

The cooking top has a deep sink, which helps in preventing splash back while washing.

The Orient 2BR cooking area

In addition, there is a movable tempered glass partition, bearing the crest of The Orient, that owners can slide around while cooking or washing to avoid splashing water or oil onto the reflective glass backsplash behind.

The smaller balcony is also a differentiating factor from other typical developments. Where other smaller units would insist upon a larger balcony, or at least, a balcony of conventional size, The Orient delivers a sleeker and smaller balcony that does not feel diminished in any way.

Furthermore, with its iconic crest framing the façade and where it segues into the units to be used as a table from within, its smaller dimension add rather than take away. It’s a great spot to throw in some bar stools and have a cocktail or beer in the evening.

Balcony aside, the rest of the unit is quick to impress.

Credit: Aurum Land

The common bedroom for example, comes with a deck where the bed rests. Beneath it, is built-in storage space. Even the stairs have pull-out drawers discreetly designed into the steps.

While the storage cupboard does not resemble a typical wardrobe, there is room inside to hang or stack clothes. The actual unit comes without the reflective wall and table so owners can have additional wardrobe space built in on their own.

Where other developments may throw in a deck built out of steel with the typical industrial criss-crossing pattern, Aurum Land instead machined in the crest of The Orient into the steel security frame.

A small work table is fitted in with an open space beneath so you can sit at the edge with your legs dangling off the deck while working. You won’t have to work while sitting cross-legged.

Credit: Aurum Land

The top deck is also slightly elevated from the uppermost step to allow the resident to promptly sit on the bed deck. You can go from lying down to sitting up without smacking your head against the ceiling.

The taller you are, the harder this is to ensure but a person with a height of about 1.7m will find little problem here.

It’s nifty and although designs like these tend to not be long-lasting, it does show that Aurum Land is dedicated toward putting innovative spins on conventional design while making the most out of the space available.

That such things result in living compartments that are not cramped or unattractive is a happy consequence.

This room is not particularly large but where others may present it as it is, Aurum Land’s initiative to take advantage of vertical space to alleviate crowding makes it appear bigger than it seems. In addition, it gives you more space to play around with, and that is always a good thing.

Decks can safely hold up to 250kg and are provided in every stack except stack 13.

Credit: Aurum Land

The common bathroom opposite the common bedroom is quite spacious. It has the look of a prestigious hotel, with the darker floor tiles contrasting nicely with the lighter wall. Those wall tiles are also noticeable because of the angled herringbone arrangement.

This gives the bathroom some perceived length while breaking up the monotony of the square tiles.

To place the tiles in this manner – long, rectangular and angled – would require the builders to cut them to specific lengths. It would take extra work but the effort has paid off.

The overall colour theme of The Orient is black and white or black and grey. So while the showunit has wallpaper up, finished units will come with white walls. However door frames are in black as seen in the showunit.

Wall tiles angled to give the illusion of height

This colour scheme is used commonly with minimalist design as the contrasting colours help to accentuate the neatness and elegance of the unit without drawing attention to it.

While homeowners may choose to imbue their own preferences onto their homes, the minimalist style gels well with the Shanghai fusion design of the development.

And this is most apparent in the master bedroom.

Credit: Aurum Land

A king size bed sits inside comfortably with ample space for two side tables. Slide the doors to the personal balcony open and the bedroom becomes well-lit and ventilated. While the balcony is just as quaint as the one in the living area, it is the built-in wardrobe that commands the most attention.

The Orient’s familiar motif graces the wardrobe in a single neat line in the middle. It is inconspicuous and simple, yet elegant.

The interior of the wardrobe is also customisable to an extent. The platforms can be adjusted to give or take away length. So owners with long dresses or a bevy of winter clothing can hang them freely by removing some platforms.

The en suite bathroom is different from the common bathroom. The wall tiles are not angled, though they are marble-like and bright, thus complementing the darker floors well.

The vanity mirror is yet another nuanced design element that Aurum does differently.

Credit: Aurum Land

Instead of providing a typical mirror/cabinet, the mirror is large and framed as if it were a window. But like the balcony, the bottom of the frame has space for the owner to place their necessities like a make-shift counter top.

And if that does not satisfy, there’s always the marble sink countertop.

Rain showers are absent in the units but these are hardly a necessity. The bathroom ceilings are high enough for you to mount your own should you want one however.

Much of the materials used – bathroom tiles, living & bedroom floors – are imported and chosen for their quality. Living room tiles for example, are timber look-alike vinyl flooring but are not slippery.

For the 1-bedroom units, of which all four have been sold, the dining table is built in. Smaller units benefit from having customised furniture as the compact sizing makes it a challenge to find items that will fit.