What Makes a Design Singaporean?
Six top local designers explore what 'Singapore Design' means to them and who the Singaporeans they design for are
Chiquit Brammall
4 August 2019
Design journalist and freelance editor. Dollhouse architect. Serial renter.
Last year was all about looking back at how far we’ve come as a nation; DesignSingapore helped us do this with the exhibit, Fifty Years of Singapore Design (it’s on till December 2021, if you haven’t yet visited it), where we saw that things such as the stackable plastic kopitiam chair, now common throughout the region, originated here. As we celebrate Singapore’s birthday, it’s time to look to now and the future. Here are six faces of Singapore Design now, and some of their works – which possibly the next generation will be celebrating in One Hundred Years of Singapore Design 50 years hence!
Nathan Yong, furniture designer; President’s Design Award – Designer of the Year
“I feel that contemporary Singapore design is about functionality, being clever and efficient and humble at the same time.”
“I feel that contemporary Singapore design is about functionality, being clever and efficient and humble at the same time.”
Yong presents his signature ‘Breakstool’ at Gallery & Co., 10 years after its debut in early 2006. Timed for release during the National Day festivities, the return of the iconic piece is primed to celebrate the designer’s first foray into the international design scene, as it was sold to Ligne Roset (a French company that sells and promotes designs) right after it was launched in Singapore in 2006.
For the design’s 10th anniversary, Yong presents the Breakstool in two new variations, Oak and Walnut, as well as an evolution of the original design – the Breakchair.
“As we approach National Day, I feel it is only fitting to revisit the one piece that led my career into the international market as a Singaporean designer, and I am very grateful to be able to do my country proud through my work”, he says.
Are you the next top furniture designer?
For the design’s 10th anniversary, Yong presents the Breakstool in two new variations, Oak and Walnut, as well as an evolution of the original design – the Breakchair.
“As we approach National Day, I feel it is only fitting to revisit the one piece that led my career into the international market as a Singaporean designer, and I am very grateful to be able to do my country proud through my work”, he says.
Are you the next top furniture designer?
Olivia Lee, multi-faceted designer
“Is design Singaporean only if it is designed by Singaporeans or designed in Singapore? Is it enough that it is design inspired by Singapore or must it be indigenous too? Design at the end of the day is a response, reflecting a particular way of thinking. This way of thinking is shaped by the designer’s personal experiences as well as his/her environment. Perhaps, a design is made Singaporean if it is done with the Singapore spirit. The thing is, the Singapore spirit means different things to different people and continues to evolve. For some, it is a ‘can do’ spirit, efficient innovation and future-centric pragmatism. For others, it is rooted in nostalgia, our heritage and our place in Asia. I believe the Singapore spirit is too new and too complex to be put into words. As design becomes increasingly collaborative and borderless, perhaps we might even celebrate the fact that the question will be become more and more difficult to answer.”
“Is design Singaporean only if it is designed by Singaporeans or designed in Singapore? Is it enough that it is design inspired by Singapore or must it be indigenous too? Design at the end of the day is a response, reflecting a particular way of thinking. This way of thinking is shaped by the designer’s personal experiences as well as his/her environment. Perhaps, a design is made Singaporean if it is done with the Singapore spirit. The thing is, the Singapore spirit means different things to different people and continues to evolve. For some, it is a ‘can do’ spirit, efficient innovation and future-centric pragmatism. For others, it is rooted in nostalgia, our heritage and our place in Asia. I believe the Singapore spirit is too new and too complex to be put into words. As design becomes increasingly collaborative and borderless, perhaps we might even celebrate the fact that the question will be become more and more difficult to answer.”
Aamer Taher, award-winning architect
“The question ‘What makes a design Singaporean’ appears deceptively simple but it’s not. Singaporeans are savvy, well travelled and connected to global trends. Everything is imported and hence expensive. Artisanal craftsmanship almost does not exist anymore. Exorbitant land/real estate cost means little is left for the building and interiors which usually ends up looking clean, simple and functional while maximising the buildable area. Majority of our homes are characterless and devoid of identity.
Yet Singaporean designers are amongst the most affluent in the region and we have seen many examples of innovative design solutions to our built environment.
We are blessed with good weather, and a fairly safe living environment. The best of our homes are bright, open, naturally ventilated and well connected to the outdoors and gardens (when space permits).
So my answer is: A design is Singaporean when it manages to infuse something of our collective, eclectic and cultural nuances into our modern contemporary lifestyle.”
“The question ‘What makes a design Singaporean’ appears deceptively simple but it’s not. Singaporeans are savvy, well travelled and connected to global trends. Everything is imported and hence expensive. Artisanal craftsmanship almost does not exist anymore. Exorbitant land/real estate cost means little is left for the building and interiors which usually ends up looking clean, simple and functional while maximising the buildable area. Majority of our homes are characterless and devoid of identity.
Yet Singaporean designers are amongst the most affluent in the region and we have seen many examples of innovative design solutions to our built environment.
We are blessed with good weather, and a fairly safe living environment. The best of our homes are bright, open, naturally ventilated and well connected to the outdoors and gardens (when space permits).
So my answer is: A design is Singaporean when it manages to infuse something of our collective, eclectic and cultural nuances into our modern contemporary lifestyle.”
Hunn Wai (photographed with Francesca Lanzavecchia), industrial designer, educator and co-founder of Lanzavecchia + Wai
“To contextualise my response, we must first zoom out and understand Singapore as a country and as a concept; from land reclamation, HDB flats, government policies shaping society and economy to the Singapore Girl and the Merlion. All these are considered by design. We have survived and thrived and continue to evolve and thrive, powered by design.
Hence Singapore Design is relevant, forward-looking, empowering, informed, sometimes front-facing, sometimes behind-the-scenes, making sure things work and grow. Singapore is the creative capital of New Southeast Asia; a proactive testbed, market and headquarters for future visions of Society, Commerce, Knowledge and Culture to manifest and scale outwards.”
“To contextualise my response, we must first zoom out and understand Singapore as a country and as a concept; from land reclamation, HDB flats, government policies shaping society and economy to the Singapore Girl and the Merlion. All these are considered by design. We have survived and thrived and continue to evolve and thrive, powered by design.
Hence Singapore Design is relevant, forward-looking, empowering, informed, sometimes front-facing, sometimes behind-the-scenes, making sure things work and grow. Singapore is the creative capital of New Southeast Asia; a proactive testbed, market and headquarters for future visions of Society, Commerce, Knowledge and Culture to manifest and scale outwards.”
Lanzavecchia + Wai’s Southeast Asian-inspired furniture collection Playplay, for Journey East, debuted at Milan Design Week 2016.
Jessica Wong (left, photographed with Pamela Ting), architecture-trained multi-disciplinary designer and co-founder of Scene Shang
“Sentimental, yet pragmatic: Singaporean design gives a nod to the past, a reference to our rich history and culture that is shaped by many ethnic groups, and yet at the same time is designed according to practical considerations to suit our needs for today, such as smaller living spaces.
Our SHANG System is a very Singaporean design in this manner – the aesthetics of the furniture calls to mind classic Chinese furniture, yet the the scaled-down size, stackable modularity and multiple functions make the design very practical for our living conditions today.”
“Sentimental, yet pragmatic: Singaporean design gives a nod to the past, a reference to our rich history and culture that is shaped by many ethnic groups, and yet at the same time is designed according to practical considerations to suit our needs for today, such as smaller living spaces.
Our SHANG System is a very Singaporean design in this manner – the aesthetics of the furniture calls to mind classic Chinese furniture, yet the the scaled-down size, stackable modularity and multiple functions make the design very practical for our living conditions today.”
The SHANG System
William Chan (Spacedge Designs), interior designer; President’s Design Award – Design of the Year
“Internationalism – we are influenced by the world around us. Singaporean design also exudes an amount of grace and dignity.”
“Internationalism – we are influenced by the world around us. Singaporean design also exudes an amount of grace and dignity.”
Chan’s Wonder Box won Design of the Year in the President’s Design Award in 2012. Take the Houzz Tour here.
Take a Houzz Tour of this Chan design, which won a Design Excellence Award from the Interior Design Confederation Singapore (IDCS).
TELL US
For you, what makes a design Singaporean? Chime in in the Comments section below.
MORE
Singapore designers on Houzz
Browse photos of Singapore homes
TELL US
For you, what makes a design Singaporean? Chime in in the Comments section below.
MORE
Singapore designers on Houzz
Browse photos of Singapore homes
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Amazing examples of SG design! Love these.
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