MAMA SHELTER SINGAPORE,
Singapore

Mama Shelter Singapore makes its Asian debut with a bold, spirited presence on Killiney Road. The brand’s first outpost in the region sees the transformation of a compact, trapezoidal site into a vibrant architectural statement. ONG&ONG Singapore led the architectural direction, shaping a building that brings Mama Shelter’s playful, people-first philosophy into a form that feels distinctly local.

From the street, the building’s sculptural facade immediately sets the tone. A faceted diagonal lattice inspired by the idea of a “Jewel at Killiney” catches and refracts daylight before glowing dramatically at night in shifting colours. Viewed from a distance, the illuminated peaks and angles align into a rhythmic pattern that subtly reads as M-A-M-A, a witty tribute to the brand. More than a facade, the structure frames light, movement, and mood, signalling Mama Shelter’s presence with confident, expressive geometry.

True to the brand’s origins as a lively dining concept that expanded into hospitality, Mama Shelter Singapore places food, creativity, and social energy at the heart of the experience. Inside, the lobby, restaurant, and island bar merge into one open, cinematic swirl of colour, texture, and activity.  The interiors, designed by France-based Dion & Arles, reflect a blend of cultural influences and creative expression, drawing deeply from Singapore’s multicultural identity.

The interiors reflect Mama Shelter’s unmistakable vibrancy, expressed through bold colours, playful decorative elements and an eclectic mix of textures that bring the brand’s lively personality into focus. Design elements inspired by Singapore’s multicultural identity appear throughout the hotel, adding layers of colour and cultural resonance while keeping the overall aesthetic contemporary and light-hearted. Even transitional spaces, such as the lift lobbies, carry this spirited character, ensuring a consistent experience as guests move through the building.

The rooftop continues this narrative with relaxed lounge pockets, tropical greenery and an open-air atmosphere that encourages gathering. A shimmering pool anchors the space at dusk, illuminated in different colours that contribute to the playful, sociable mood. This visual journey is tied together with a hand-painted ceiling mural by French artist Beniloys, whose large-scale artwork also appears on the ceiling of the hotel’s ground level. His pieces span key public areas and introduce mythic and nature-inspired motifs that echo Singapore’s cultural diversity and Garden City identity.

Bringing this vision to life required thoughtful coordination. The angular site led to compact, unconventional room layouts that needed careful planning to balance efficiency with comfort. Implementing the Paris-based interior scheme for Singapore’s tropical climate, building codes and cultural nuances also informed the process. Constructing the intricate facade added further complexity, each element needing precision to achieve the intended effect.

Mama Shelter Singapore stands as a bold new social anchor on Killiney Road. More than a hotel, it is a place where architecture, food and culture converge, inviting guests into a space that feels alive, expressive, and unapologetically different. As the brand’s first step into Asia, it marks a refreshing shift in urban hospitality: spirited, inclusive, and delightfully unafraid to stand out.