Open Concept Kitchen HDB: Rules, Gas & Layout Guide

An open-concept kitchen makes an HDB flat feel bigger, brighter and more sociable, which is why it tops so many renovation wish lists. But it is not as simple as knocking down a wall. Gas safety, ventilation, structural walls and permits all shape what is actually possible. This guide walks through the real rules and the practical layout decisions so you plan a kitchen that works and passes muster.

Open-plan versus semi-open: know the difference

A fully open kitchen has no barrier between cooking and living areas. A semi-open kitchen keeps a partial divider, most commonly a half-height wall, a glass partition, or slide-and-hide (folding glass) doors that can be closed during heavy cooking and opened the rest of the time. In Singapore’s context, the semi-open approach is popular precisely because it resolves the two big issues with fully open kitchens: gas safety and cooking smells.

The gas hob rule: the single biggest constraint

This is where most open-kitchen plans hit a wall. For gas safety and ventilation reasons, a kitchen using a piped town gas (City Energy) hob generally cannot be left fully open with no form of enclosure. In practice you have two compliant routes:

• Keep an enclosure around the gas hob: retain a partition, half-wall, or sliding glass doors so the cooking zone can be contained. Many “open” HDB kitchens are really semi-open for exactly this reason.
• Switch to an induction or electric hob: removing the gas cooker takes the gas-safety constraint off the table and is the cleanest way to achieve a genuinely open layout. This is the route many designers recommend for a fully open kitchen.

Two more gas points to plan around. First, any relocation, extension or reconnection of the gas supply pipe must be carried out and endorsed by a Licensed Gas Service Worker (LGSW) or City Energy, not your general renovation crew. Second, the gas riser pipe must remain accessible; if you box it in, you need a removable full-height access panel so the pipe can be fully replaced, not just a small inspection hatch.

Note: the exact requirements come from gas-supply and fire-safety codes administered via City Energy and the LGSW’s certification, so confirm your specific layout with your contractor and gas worker before finalising. FC Interior Design (HDB-Approved, licence HB-09-2619C) coordinates this as part of planning an open kitchen.

Induction versus gas: making the call

If you are set on a fully open kitchen, induction is usually the enabler. Weigh it up:

• Induction: unlocks a fully open layout, easy to clean, no open flame, faster boil times; but needs induction-compatible cookware and adequate electrical provision.
• Gas: preferred by many home cooks for wok hei and flame control; but ties you to keeping the hob enclosed or semi-open.

Dry and wet kitchen: the Singapore workaround

A dry-and-wet split is the classic local solution. The dry kitchen, an island or counter with a sink, induction hob or hidden appliances, opens to the living or dining area for everyday light use. The wet kitchen, where the heavy frying, gas hob and mess happen, sits behind it and can be enclosed with sliding or folding glass doors. You get the open, sociable feel most of the time and containment when you cook hard.

Can you fit an island? It depends on the flat

Islands need clear circulation of roughly 900mm–1000mm on all sides to be usable, so floor area is the deciding factor:

• 2-room and smaller 3-room flats: a full island is usually too tight; a peninsula (counter attached at one end) or a breakfast bar works better.
• 4-room flats: a compact island is often feasible once the kitchen and dining are merged, especially with induction.
• 5-room, executive flats and maisonettes: the most room for a genuine island with seating and storage.

Also check where services run: an island with a sink or hob needs plumbing or electrical routed to it, which is easier to plan early than retrofit.

Handling smells, heat and noise

Open layouts spread cooking smells into your living space and soft furnishings. Manage it with a powerful cooker hood (HDB kitchens typically use recirculating/recycling-mode hoods rather than ducting outside, so suction power matters), sliding glass doors you can shut during frying, and good general ventilation. This is the practical reason semi-open beats fully open for households that cook heavily.

Permits, walls and who to engage

Opening up a kitchen almost always means removing a wall, and that triggers rules:

• The wall must be confirmed non-structural. HDB never permits hacking of reinforced concrete structural walls, columns or beams.
• Removing a permitted non-structural wall requires a HDB renovation permit, applied for through a HDB-licensed renovation contractor. Certain hacking works also require a Professional Engineer’s endorsement.
• Gas works require an LGSW; electrical works for induction should be done by a licensed electrician.
• Noisy hacking is generally allowed only 9am–5pm on weekdays, not on Sundays or public holidays.

Pros and cons at a glance

• Pros: more light and openness, better for entertaining, easier to supervise children, feels larger.
• Cons: cooking smells travel, gas hobs need enclosure or a switch to induction, less wall space for tall storage, and a visible kitchen must be kept tidy.

Frequently asked questions

Can I have a fully open kitchen with a gas hob in my HDB flat?

Generally no, not without some form of enclosure around the cooking area. Gas-safety and ventilation requirements mean a town gas hob needs to be containable, so homeowners either keep a partition or sliding glass doors around the hob, or switch to an induction hob for a genuinely open layout. Confirm your specific plan with your contractor and a Licensed Gas Service Worker.

Do I need approval to remove my kitchen wall?

Yes. The wall must first be confirmed non-structural, and removing it requires a HDB renovation permit applied for through a HDB-licensed contractor. Structural RC walls can never be hacked.

Who can relocate my gas point for an island or new hob position?

Only City Energy or a Licensed Gas Service Worker (LGSW) may relocate, extend or reconnect the gas pipe, and they must certify the work. Your renovation contractor cannot do gas works themselves.

How do I stop cooking smells spreading in an open kitchen?

Use a high-suction cooker hood, add sliding or folding glass doors you can close during heavy frying (a semi-open layout), and keep the wet, smelly cooking in an enclosable zone while the dry kitchen stays open.