Tropical Outdoor Living Meets Italian Craftsmanship in Singapore
Paradiso is a playful East-meets-West outdoor furniture collaboration between designer Creativeans and brand Ghimenton
Launched for Singapore Design Week at the PickJunction Experiential Centre, Paradiso is a playful four-piece collection of outdoor furniture that combines the imaginative pickings of tropical life with traditional Italian craftsmanship. Houzz speaks with Kimming Yap, Managing Director of Singapore creative studio Creativeans, about the outdoor furniture collection.
Masters of long-distance relationships, the folks at Creativeans have produced an entire furniture collection across continents with Italian furniture maker Ghimenton, without once seeing the collection in person. In fact, they only laid hands on the pieces when they arrived for their debut at Singapore Design Week.
Masters of long-distance relationships, the folks at Creativeans have produced an entire furniture collection across continents with Italian furniture maker Ghimenton, without once seeing the collection in person. In fact, they only laid hands on the pieces when they arrived for their debut at Singapore Design Week.
Made with a stainless steel base, solid teak wood, and upholstered foam seats that are waterproof and weather-resistant, the Isola Chair can be configured to suit various seating preferences.
What was the design process like? How long did it take from end to end?
We started the process with a clear design brief that set the direction, objectives, target audience etc. for this collection. This was followed by concept development where we sketched different ideas, before developing the stronger ones into more defined designs with 3D drawings and mock-ups.
Ghimenton was also involved from the beginning of the design process: they advised us continually on the designs and informed us of what they were able to do from a production perspective. The entire design to production process took approximately six months.
We started the process with a clear design brief that set the direction, objectives, target audience etc. for this collection. This was followed by concept development where we sketched different ideas, before developing the stronger ones into more defined designs with 3D drawings and mock-ups.
Ghimenton was also involved from the beginning of the design process: they advised us continually on the designs and informed us of what they were able to do from a production perspective. The entire design to production process took approximately six months.
Founded in 1977, Ghimenton specialises in handcrafted luxury furniture. Ghimenton began as a small workshop in the Cremona region and continues to be an expert furniture maker and upholsterer for major local and overseas clients.
What was the most challenging part of the design collaboration for both you and Ghimenton?
Definitely the time difference between our countries. It was a challenge to constantly find the right time to Skype and update each other on the developments.
We were unable to check the production in person but Ghimenton was very proactive in sending us production images and feedback so we could rectify any issues immediately.
What was the most challenging part of the design collaboration for both you and Ghimenton?
Definitely the time difference between our countries. It was a challenge to constantly find the right time to Skype and update each other on the developments.
We were unable to check the production in person but Ghimenton was very proactive in sending us production images and feedback so we could rectify any issues immediately.
The Atlantis Lounge Seat combines soft nautical foam with movable tectonic elements for easy reconfiguration. Like the other pieces in the collection, the Atlantis uses removable, waterproof fabric for easy maintenance.
How did you choose your materials?
Paradiso is a collection of outdoor furniture so all materials were specifically chosen for use outdoors, in public areas, and even on yachts. For example, for the inner structures of the pieces, we substituted traditional wood with polywood, a premium wood alternative for outdoor furniture with all-weather endurance and exceptional durability. All the fabrics we chose are certified waterproof and fire-resistant.
How did you choose your materials?
Paradiso is a collection of outdoor furniture so all materials were specifically chosen for use outdoors, in public areas, and even on yachts. For example, for the inner structures of the pieces, we substituted traditional wood with polywood, a premium wood alternative for outdoor furniture with all-weather endurance and exceptional durability. All the fabrics we chose are certified waterproof and fire-resistant.
Artist sketch of the Atlantis and its various configurations, which range from a day mattress to a shared public seat.
Fabric detail of the Noli Armchair
What’s behind the colours and fabrics?
We chose a rich colour palette to reflect tropical beauty. The ideas are meant to convey adventure and exoticness while still lending calm and relaxation to a space.
What’s behind the colours and fabrics?
We chose a rich colour palette to reflect tropical beauty. The ideas are meant to convey adventure and exoticness while still lending calm and relaxation to a space.
Inspired by the formation of sea rocks, the innovative Wawa Stool stands firm but is surprisingly soft to sit on due to its fabrication with viscoelastic foam (memory foam).
Do you have a favourite piece in this collection?
We love how all the pieces turned out, but the one piece that was most satisfying to produce is the Wawa Stool. The design is truly innovative and required extensive engineering and experimentation (which Ghimenton undertook) to properly create the stool’s internal structure so that it could retain its shape while reacting to weight.
Do you have a favourite piece in this collection?
We love how all the pieces turned out, but the one piece that was most satisfying to produce is the Wawa Stool. The design is truly innovative and required extensive engineering and experimentation (which Ghimenton undertook) to properly create the stool’s internal structure so that it could retain its shape while reacting to weight.
Artist sketch of the Wawa Stool in use. Leveraging innovations in the viscoelastic foam, the Ghimenton team was able to strike a balance between form and fluidity.
Paradiso will be available for purchase on PickJunction in the coming months. Prices have not been finalised at the time of publication.
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What inspired Paradiso? Were you tapping on any tropical location or experience in particular?
We are based in Singapore and so very much inspired by the tropical beauty of Southeast Asia: the exotic animals and plants, colours and landscapes. We wanted to create a collection of furniture that would reflect that natural richness and encapsulate that sense of freedom where one feels almost transported to paradise.
The motivation behind Paradiso for Ghimenton was more about promoting the traditional Italian craft of furniture making to a new market. They also really enjoyed producing a collection that wasn’t typically European in design or inspiration – they found the process refreshing!