Back in March during the Singapore Interior Design Awards (SIDA) 2017 Gala Night & Awards Presentation, local and international design talents were celebrated, and design excellence within the global interior design industry was recognised and honoured. Organised by the Society of Interior Designers Singapore (SIDS), SIDA 2017 was open to all interior designers and architects who share the common goal of creating better spaces for mankind through sensible, responsible, and innovative design solutions.
With the Senior Minister of State for Law and Finance, Ms Indranee Rajah as the Guest of Honour, a total of 150 awards were presented to 92 unique winners, of which Singapore’s interior designers swept 33 awards. Here are some of our favourite winning projects.
Ply House
As the communal space for familial gatherings, the existing exterior walls of the ground level of this corner terrace house designed by UPSTAIRS_ was completely removed and replaced with a combination of sliding glass doors and operable timber screens. This design modification allows the interior to be modified into a cosy sectioned-off room or a fully open-concept space that extends out into the private garden. Meanwhile, granite platforms of varying heights break up the large space into smaller areas for dining, lounging and gathering.
Enshrined completely within the brickwork facade, each of the private living spaces on the upper level features soothing wood tones that exude a cosy and tranquil ambience perfect for rest. To offer the homeowners filtered glimpses of the external scenery from the living chambers within, individual bricks along the facade were shifted and staggered to create a lattice pattern.
Built from reclaimed 100-year-old Chinese clay bricks salvaged from a Chinese village, the ultra-modern external facade serves as a shield from the harsh natural elements for the private spaces on the upper levels. Meanwhile, the Sky Level – located on the highest floor of the home – punctures through the brickwork to reveal a light-filled meditative space that opens out to an extraordinary view of the landscape.
Co-working Space
As millennials and the subsequent generations are entering and preparing to enter the workforce, it’s no secret that the way we work has changed rapidly over the last decade. Advancement in technology has empowered and enabled an increasingly mobile and fluid workforce, and the concept of co-working has also set a new benchmark for office spaces.
For Prudential’s new workplace, the aim of the design approach applied by the team over at interior design firm ORB Associates was to create a relaxed work environment that is conducive enough to break down barriers while stimulating creative thought with emotive interactions. As such, open-concept work desks and discussion areas were designed, and when complemented with modular furniture, results in a truly productive area where the employee’s future goals can realised.
MBC Buffet Lounge and Rooftop Bar
Encompassing an outdoor bar that offers generous and spectacular panoramic views of the city, as well as a more enclosed indoor area that is used as a cosy buffet lounge, the contrast of the two different functions in the MBC Buffet Lounge and Rooftop Bar, was expressed through the exploration of different materials and textures. Designed by ORB Associates, the lounge features the use of travertine walls and carpet floors to create a timeless and welcoming appearance.
On the other hand, the use of patina metal wall panels and dark timber decks out on the bar create an industrial and masculine look. Keeping in mind that the two zones still belong to the same entity, timber slat screens – which help to demarcate the area for privacy while still maintaining visual openness – were a consistent design feature throughout, maintaining a seamless continuity between the indoor-outdoor space.
Medical Suites
Although the service that this space provides is that of a clinic, the design approach taken by ORB Associates for this project was far from being ‘clinical’. Influenced by spatial qualities more commonly seen in a hospitality/hotel context, the design team eliminated sharp angles to create a smooth continuous transition between spaces.
For example, curved timber slatted walls soften the edges of the clinic’s perimeters, and when paired with the wave-effect design feature on the ceiling, the medical suite is transformed into a more inviting space. In addition, the design team also specifically chose soothing wood-toned materials and soft warm lighting so that no colours or textures radically stands out, creating a calming and pleasing experience that takes into account the best interest of the patients.
