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18 14 Flirt SPRING SOIREE Monticello debuts new concept showroom at Odeon Towers 18 FRONTIER SPACE AGE MEETS NEW AGE The Rolex Learning Centre in Lausanne, Switzerland, is akin to an intergalactic drone 24 ENCOUNTER WITH THE DIVINE Gucci’s flagship store at Paragon is a glowing vision in gold 30 PITCH-PERFECT The Link Home at Paragon is a heaven-sent for the decor-challenged 34 CITY BEAT Wallcovering leader Goodrich Global comes to the heart of Orchard Road 36 DNA DRIVE Domicil showcased its retail blueprint at the Cologne furniture fair 39 VERDANT HAVEN John Erdos corners Dempsey Hill with a sprawling lifestyle enclave 44 FLASH ETERNAL SUMMER Look breezy and keep cool with the Duo furniture collection from The Shophouse 46 GREEN ICON Conceived in 1944, Emeco’s Navy chair is an early example of sustainable furniture 48 PRIME PEWTER Royal Selangor celebrates its 125th anniversary with a limited edition teapot set 50 SOFT CARESS Molecule extols the virtues of shaggy carpets and rugs 52 athletic silhouette Rational’s Tio kitchen is all taut muscles and tight abs
Publisher/Editorial Director EDDY KOH Contributing Editors JOSHUA YAP JENNIFER CHOO Copy Editor SHEILA OLIVEIRO Editor-at-Large MARC ALMAGRO Marketing Managers JOY LEE SHAMIL ABIDIN Sales & Marketing Executives BRENDA FANG CJ LOH Marketing Coordinator KAI Art Directors HAN GINA TOH Graphic Designer JEREMY GOH Design Director YEE WAI FONG FORM MICA (P) 059/01/2010 is a bimonthly publication of HEART PUBLISHING PTE LTD 129 Devonshire Road Singapore 239886 Telephone 65 6733 9931 Facsimile 65 6733 5661 Printed by Fabulous Printers Pte Ltd No part of FORM may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written consent from Heart Publishing Pte Ltd.
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88 14 Flirt SPRING SOIREE Monticello debuts new concept showroom at Odeon Towers 18 FRONTIER SPACE AGE MEETS NEW AGE The Rolex Learning Centre in Lausanne, Switzerland, is akin to an intergalactic drone 24 ENCOUNTER WITH THE DIVINE Gucci’s flagship store at Paragon is a glowing vision in gold 30 PITCH-PERFECT The Link Home at Paragon is a heaven-sent for the decor-challenged 34 CITY BEAT Wallcovering leader Goodrich Global comes to the heart of Orchard Road 36 DNA DRIVE Domicil showcased its retail blueprint at the Cologne furniture fair 39 VERDANT HAVEN John Erdos corners Dempsey Hill with a sprawling lifestyle enclave 44 FLASH ETERNAL SUMMER Look breezy and keep cool with the Duo furniture collection from The Shophouse 46 GREEN ICON Conceived in 1944, Emeco’s Navy chair is an early example of sustainable furniture 48 PRIME PEWTER Royal Selangor celebrates its 125th anniversary with a limited edition teapot set 50 SOFT CARESS Molecule extols the virtues of shaggy carpets and rugs 52 athletic silhouette Rational’s Tio kitchen is all taut muscles and tight abs 54 FUNDAMENTALS COOL FORMULA
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Porada Form Ad Apr FA.pdf
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F o r a y
i TEXT Eddy koh
Photographers and editors are contstantly searching for that single frame,
solitary image and searing picture that encapsulates, expresses, emotes and communicates in one sweeping visual statement the physical, creative and metaphorical essence and soul of a building or space, its physical structure, design inspiration and purpose of existence. It is mostly elusive but that makes it so much more precious when a photographer discovers the sweet spot where all the desirable attributes click and, of course, the best moment to capture it. In a world ruled by savvy branding and marketing, it is a challenge that has long moved beyond media professionals. Architects and designers have always appreciated the landmark shot that concisely says everything about their project such as the definitive form and silhouette of the building. Hoteliers understand the power of that singular picture that conveys their unique selling point without words. Fashion powerhouses have pushed the frontier with flagship stores that proclaim their brand DNA and, of course, logos and motifs. And magazines like ours have to confront the challenge of deciding on the most appropriate pictures to feature in every issue. We are especially taken up by our cover picture of sunlight flooding into the ground level of a house in Langkawi that was built using recycled materials including old wooden utility poles. Inspired by the traditional longhouse architecture of East Malaysia, the owners wanted it to be an eco-friendly, opensided private retreat right from the onset. They poured all their energy into realising it and we believe this picture represents their ideal. As you flip through this issue, we hope you will exercise your innate photographer’s eye and discover your favourite picture that you think best defines each project — from Gucci’s flagship store at Paragon to Malaysian landscape architect Ng Seksan’s vertical garden at Lot 10 in Kuala Lumpur to the Ramayana epic-inspired Tenface hotel in Bangkok. F FORM 12
Form(SGP) aprile 232x308:Form•(SGP)Dic-Gen09 16/02/10 15:42 Pagina 1
30 Hill Street Unit 01-02 Singapore 179360 Tel. +65 6338 2822 E-mail: minotti@marquis.com.sg
Hamilton, seating system design: Rodolfo Dordoni
Minotti S.p.A. 20036 MEDA (MI) ITALIA via Indipendenza, 152 Tel. +39 0362 343499 www.minotti.com - info@minotti.it
F L I R T I TEXT JOSHUA YAP
spring soiree Monticello rang in the Lunar New Year at its new concept store in Odeon Towers The Lunar New Year might already be a distant memory
for some, but guests who attended Monticello’s store preview on February 5 will have fond remembrance of the festivities. Featuring good food, fine wine and personalised New Year couplets by awardwinning calligrapher Bob Kwan, the joyous occasion gave guests a chance to explore the new concept store. Spruced up like a luxurious three-bedroom apartment, it features slick installations that mix pieces from brands like Rolf Benz, Ronald Schmitt and Ligne Roset, giving guests excellent reference on how to create their dream home. F
Mr & Mrs Simon E. Mikat
Kitch Lum and Lotus Soh
(L-R) Ronnie Goh, Tony Liok, Dr & Mrs Bernard Cheong
Bob Kwan
FORM 14
NEW INSTRUMENT BR 01 CARBON FIBER 46 MM . CARBON FIBER CASE
Bell & Ross Boutique : 333A Orchard Road #01-15 Mandarin Gallery Singapore 238897 • Tel : (65) 6884 6471 • Fax : (65) 6884 6472 • bellross.mandaringallery@fjbenjamin.com
www.bellross.com
Available at: All Watches Wisma Atria Tel: 6733 2823 • Cortina Watch Ion Orchard Tel: 6509 9218 Millenia Walk Tel: 6339 1728 Raffles City Tel: 6339 9185 • Dickson Watch & Jewellery Wisma Atria Tel: 6737 6451 Sincere Fine Watches Lucky Plaza Tel: 6737 4593 Ngee Ann City Tel: 6733 0618 Suntec City Tel: 6337 5150 VivoCity Tel: 6278 1698 • Swiss Watch Gallery Resorts World Sentosa Tel: 6732 8022 • Watches of Switzerland Paragon Tel: 6732 9793 Tampines Mall Tel: 6783 6535 F J Benjamin Service Centre • 230 Orchard Road, #04-230 Faber House, Singapore 238854 • Service Centre: (65) 6736 3933 • Office: (65) 6737 0155 • www.fjbenjamin.com
1st Proof
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Title:
Bell & Ross Carbon AD for Form Mag Apri2010 Job No: L310-7/4269
3/2/10 7:21:11 AM
F L I R T
(L-R) Adrian Goh, Loi Win Yen and Justin Liok
Annabelle Teo and Tony Liok
(L-R) Carol Liew, Anna Wong and Yvonne Xu
(L-R) Henry The, Baby Gilian, Vanessa Liok The and Mr & Mrs Stephano Nizza
PICTURES COURTESY OF Monticello
(L-R) Meghan See, Maria See, Diana Wijaya and Serene Liok
(L-R) Luo Xiao Qing, Tony Liok and Belinda Lee
FORM 16
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Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa’s design for the Rolex Learning Center in switzerland propels architecture to a distant galaxy but retains a spirit of calm that is hauntingly familiar
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TEXT VICTOR CHEN i F rontier
The Rolex Learning Center within the EPFL campus
FORM 19
FORM 20
MODEL: ATTICA/ STYLING: TERRE
Distinctive. Desirable. DeямБnitive.
A PREMIER GERMAN HOME FURNISHING BRAND SINCE 1978 DOMICIL PTE LTD | 11 GUL CIRCLE | TEL +65 6863 0555 | WWW.DOMICILINTERNATIONAL.COM The Domicil Collection is also exclusively available at
10_195 Domicil FORM mag ad_Apr-May 2010_FPFC_v3_.indd 1
The Executive Home Store
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FORM 22
Showrooms: 333A Orchard Road #04-12 Mandarin Gallery Tel: +65 6235 5618 Email: platform@starhub.net.sg
Platform Ad 01.indd 1
9 Raffles Boulevard #01-84 Millenia Walk Tel: +65 6338 6285
3/22/10 5:46 PM
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TEXT VICTOR CHEN i F rontier
aglow with golden hues, gucci's new flagship boutique in singapore, with its five-storey facade, raises the fashion powerhouse's profile to unprecedented heights
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F rontier
For those
who find spiritual solace in, ahem, shopping, the Frida Gianninimasterminded Gucci boutique in Paragon signals a renewal of faith. Its grandeur is expressed in dimension (10,000 sq ft), spatial configuration (areas dedicated to specific merchandise) and adornment (old Midas comes to mind). It is vintage Gucci, i.e. unblinkingly opulent with just a smidgen of decadence, but it is also a departure from the overt sensuality that distinguished Gucci boutiques previously. The underground VIP club touches are mostly gone, replaced by an open plan bathed in natural light. The most important innovative touches, however, lie in the assemblage of materials such as ribbed glass, warm polished gold, smoked mirrors, smoked bronze glass, miles of marble tiles and even cracked lacquer. Official communique suggests it “recalls the elegance and richness of Art Deco”, but there is also a latent medieval quality to it by way of aged gilding. That and a sense of timelessness. Launched in February this year, the Gucci shop announces its new location, just across its old precinct on the ground floor of Paragon, with a five-storey façade, although the boutique actually occupies just two. A row of golden rods wraps a corner of the building on which Gucci logos are emblazoned in its signature burnished golden hue. Beneath this prominent signage are rows of show windows fronting the first and second storeys. Giannini, Gucci’s creative director since 2006, has been receiving plaudits for her design oeuvre as well as successful brand-building activities. She has worked with top auteurs Chris Cunningham and David Lynch to produce ethos-defining advertising campaigns, even getting involved in UNICEF and Raising Malawi charities. Rolling out her design for the Gucci flagship stores worldwide brings a fullness to her body of work for the brand.
FORM 26
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Pictures courtesy of Gucci
F r o n t i e r
dynamic lines hurtle and converge at a vanishing point – the gilded, sculptural staircase “My objective for the new concept is to bring light into the interiors of the store,” Giannini explains. “The Singapore store is awash in both natural light from the large windows, as well as for the golden hues I have chosen for the interiors.”
On the second level, meanwhile, women’s evening wear, runway looks, men’s ready-to-wear, suits and accessories are displayed in salon-like areas. Here deep banquettes and commodious couches are at the disposal of those deciding between the classic Gucci loafers or the sombre lace-ups. The environment is decidedly more genteel, the merchandise arrayed artfully in a few corners or assembled as looks on mannequins. On any reflective surface, from polished vitrines to mirrored walls, one encounters his image, making life-changing choices about neckties much easier to execute.
Inside, dynamic straight lines created by the black marble strip on the floor, the repetitive shelves on the walls and even the trenches on the ceiling hurtle and converge at a vanishing point, deepening the space even further. From one of the gilded entrances they seem to terminate at the staircase – the shop’s sculptural focal point and an access to the rarefied second storey.
Over 30 stores have received the same gilded treatment from New York to Rome, London and Shanghai, ensuring familiarity and consistency in encounters with the divine. F
The ground floor, where the latest handbags, luggage, fine jewelry, watches and other accessories pull in a steady crowd, is efficient and well-stocked with merchandise. Although a crowd three-deep settles around the counters, there is enough space to stand back and peruse the pin-lit articles.
GUCCI Paragon 290 Orchard Road #01-40 Tel: 6734 2528 www.gucci.com
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F r o n t i e r i TEXT LI HAOHAN
The Link Home’s new boutique at Paragon is a heaven-sent for the ambivalent and the downright design-challenged Although homes acquire
their own personality with time, it is perfectly fine to nudge the process along. Save precious waiting time for the young Cabernet Sauvignons to mature in your cellar, when it comes to homemaking, personality should be hanging on the door by the time you move in. There is, mercifully, a lot of professional help in this area and one of the best places to get it from is The Link Home. The uber tastemonger reopened its doors at Paragon in February after a successful reign at Nassim Hill and Palais Renaissance. Pitch-perfect furnishings and accessories complement an array of furniture in the new 2,200-sq ft shop. And the impeccable taste of style doyenne Tina Tan, CEO of The Link and creative director of fashion label alldressedup, is apparent in every item and expertly coordinated merchandise settings which one can purchase in their entirety to furnish a small corner or a dedicated sitting, dining or sleeping area.
FORM 30
F r o n t i e r
Together with her team, Tina has culled 40 global home and lifestyle labels including home textiles by Sabina Fay Braxton, porcelain from Bernardaud, exotic accessories by Augousti, tableware and complements from L’Objet, leather organisers and picture frames from Pinetti, and decanters and glasses from L’atelier du vin. A Diptyque scent bar also commands a prominent spot in the shop. Although these brands are accessible to trendy global nomads, The Link Home provides focus by sifting through thousands of samples to assemble the few that eventually make it to the shop. Furniture suggests rooms in the open-planned space and appropriate accessories are incorporated in these settings. An unerring eye for luxurious details guides the seemingly haphazard organisation so that a fur throw casually tossed on a Chinese four-poster bed seems highly appropriate.
Pictures courtesy of The Link Home
The shop also offers exclusive services such as gift registries, A Little Something hampers, gift certificates and interior styling of show apartments and private residences. F
The Link Home Paragon #04-10/11/12, 290 Orchard Road Tel: 6737 7503 www.thelink.com.sg
FORM 32
F r o n t i e r
CITY BeaT
Goodrich Global opens at Plaza Singapura to embrace home decorators Goodrich
Global has opened a 1,800-sq ft store in Plaza Singapura in the heart of Orchard Road to directly reach out to home owners and end consumers. Having established itself in the region including China as a leading B2B supplier of wallcoverings to professional designers and large scale property developments including hotels, resorts and offices, Goodrich co-founder and chairman Chan Chong Beng, says: “B2C is part of our strategic growth plans and long-term objectives. The recent economic downturn didn’t really affect our gallery business mainly due to our very specific market segment as well as our brand establishment.” FORM 34
Pictures courtesy of GOODRICH GLOBAL
Sticking to the library concept of Goodrich’s Changi South Gallery at its head office, the Plaza Singapura Gallery boasts ample personal space for customers to browse and select wallpapers, fabrics, carpet and laminate flooring. The entrance is like a ‘dark-pit cave’ with a huge pivotdoor where images of material applications are projected, providing moving visual interest to passers-by. Beyond the ‘pit’, customers are greeted by a ‘secret-garden’ where wallpapers and fabrics of vibrant shades and designs adorn the walls and ceiling. Besides placing their orders after scanning through possibly the city’s most extensive library of wallcovering and fabric samples, customers can also purchase cash-&-carry items such as rugs, cushions and wall stickers. F
FORM 35
GOODRICH GLOBAL #04-17 Plaza Singapura 68 Orchard Road Tel: 6884 5757 www.goodrichglobal.com
F r o n t i e r
Domicil showcased its Domicil presented its modern line of fine leather fabric upholstered furniture as well as new retail concept for shopretail blueprint at the and in-shop and standalone store rollouts at the Internationale Moebelmesse Cologne furniture fair 2010 (furniture fair) In Cologne, Germany. Already present in more than
200 retail locations across diverse markets in Europe, North America and Asia, Domicil has launched a strong branding strategy since it introduced its Designer Collection in 2007 which targets the more sophisticated customers with contemporary taste.
FORM 36
F r o n t i e r
Visitors stepping into the 600-sq m Domicil exhibition booth at the fair were suitably impressed by the well integrated interiors scheme, spatial layout and merchandise display ideas that would also serve as the blueprint, image and DNA of the brand and its stores worldwide.
Also available at XZQT ION Orchard, #03-19 Tel: 6238 8233 www.xzqt.com.sg
Pictures courtesy of DOMICIL
Domicil roped in Singapore-based architect Terence Chan of Terre to help conceive and style the exhibition concept. The company’s press release stated that the comprehensive visual approach will lend added confidence to the Domicil brand which is trusted for its German quality and contribute to extending its global footprint. F
DOMICIL PTE LTD 11 Gul Circle Tel: 6863 0555 www.domicilinternational.com
FORM 38
TEXT joshua yap i F r o n t i e r
Verdant Haven John Erdos has literally moved to greener pastures with his new lifestyle enclave in a restful niche on Dempsey Hill
Tucked in a forgotten and tranquil corner of Dempsey Hill is the new John Erdos
showroom, a long way from the four-storey shophouse on Kim Yan Road that he had been occupying for the past nine years. The charismatic expat couldn’t have found a better location than this 30,000sq-ft compound that allows him to realise his dream of creating a holistic lifestyle enclave incorporating his passions for furniture, art and food. Taking over six disused army barracks encircling a quaint courtyard garden, John orchestrated the reconstruction of one of the buildings and overhauled the rest to house his vision. Linked by a meandering timber boardwalk, the structures now show off his furniture and home accessories alongside his art gallery and cafe. A picturesque amalgamation of austere military buildings and lush vegetation, the cluster is a welcome retreat from the buzzing activities of nearby central Dempsey.
A meandering timber boardwalk invites you to take a leisurely stroll around the compound and discover the various facets of the enclave
F r o n t i e r
The main attraction is clearly John Erdos Home, which occupies two of the larger linked buildings. A far cry from its somewhat claustrophobic former self, the present premises is blessed with high ceilings and a 9,000sq-ft footprint that enables John to showcase his collection of contemporary teak furniture, rugs, lighting and home accessories in various home settings. Taking advantage of the surrounding greenery, numerous full-length windows were installed to let natural light in and have the rainforest provide the perfect backdrop for his wares. Coupled with exposed wooden beams and concrete floors, the showroom exudes a mixture of rustic charm and industrial chic that John Erdos’ fans crave.
Rustic exposed beams, raw concrete floor and lush greenery provide the ideal setting for John Erdos’ brand of teak furniture
FORM 40
Reminiscent of the focal point in its former showroom, a pond of flowing water enhances the restful ambience of John Erdos Home
Pictures courtesy of John Erdos HOME
F r o n t i e r
Attracting art aficionados since its opening last November, John Erdos Art is a dedicated gallery for local and international artists
Art fiends, on the other hand, will discover a new haunt that sits just across the landscaped garden. Thoughtfully stocked with choice pieces from John’s collection, John Erdos Art is a dedicated gallery that showcases the works of local and international artists. Opening with an exhibition of new works by Vietnamese photographer Tri Huu Luu last November, it has already been attracting a steady stream of art lovers; its follow-up show of 60 ink sketches by Hla Myint Swe reportedly sold 75 per cent of the Myanmese artist’s work at press time. The best way to round off an outing to this sanctuary is with a meal at E, John Erdos’ cafe. Comprising an al fresco deck as well as an airconditioned dining area, the eatery features a menu inspired by his mother’s Long Island recipes updated with an Asian twist. While you tuck into the hearty fare, watch the surrounding rainforest transform dramatically with splendid mood lighting come nightfall.. F John Erdos HOME 7A & 7B Dempsey Road Tel: 6735 3307 www.johnerdosgallery.com
Surrounded by luxuriant rainforest, E lets you dine amidst the tranquillity of nature FORM 42
5220JC JE Form Apr10#175 3/15/10 5:20 PM Page 1
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F l a s h I TEXT VICTOR CHEN
An idyllic
summer retreat is readily created with select pieces from The Shophouse’s Duo outdoor furniture range. The centerpiece of the collection is the canopied Laguna Daybed, a pared-down, modern take on the requisite tropical furniture. Complementing the daybed are the Ibiza two-seater and single lounge chairs, the Barbados stackable chair and table, and the Laguna lazy chair. Pieces from the collection are made of UV-resistant Duo fibres, which will not fade or split. They are also non-toxic and 100 per cent recyclable, making them suitable for outdoor and indoor use. F
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The Shophouse 22 Lock Road, Gillman Village Tel: 6344 0100 www.theshophouse.com
PICTURES COURTESY OF the shophouse
Keep your cool with the Duo collection of tropicsfriendly furniture
Elements Ad.indd 1
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F l a s h I TEXT JOSHUA YAP
Green Icon
Possibly the most sustainable piece of furniture you will
ever own, Emeco’s Navy chair was created way before it was cool to be environmentally conscious. Originally made in 1944 for US Navy destroyers and submarines, it is built to withstand the rigours of marine operations. Handcrafted in 77 manufacturing steps in anodised aluminium (of which 80% is recycled) that is three times stronger than steel, its iconic form has since made it a permanent fixture in stylish establishments all over the world like the Philippe Starck-designed Paramount Hotel in New York. Backed by a 150year guarantee, it is anti-corrosive and maintenance-free, making it a worthy investment for your abode. F
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Emeco is available at Space Furniture Millenia Walk, Level 2 Tel: 6415 0000 www.spacefurniture.com
PICTURES COURTESY OF Space Furniture
conceived in 1944 for use in US submarines and Destroyers, the Navy chair is an early example of sustainable furniture
Axor Massaud. ®
Nature Inspired Design.
Water Consumption: 4.24 litres/min Type of product: Basin Taps Brand: Axor Model: Massaud Highriser single lever basin mixer #18020 Reg no.: BST-2009/001683
SGP_AX_Massaud_Form_232x308x6.indd 1
Visit www.axor-design.com for more information on the Axor Massaud collection and the designer Jean-Marie Massaud. H a n s g r o h e P t e Lt d • 69 Mohamed Sul tan Road • S ingapore 239015 Te l: 688 4 50 6 0 • Fa x : 688 4 5070 • We bs i t e: w w w. h a n s g ro h e .c o m . s g Email: info@hansgrohe.com.sg • Aamor Pte Ltd, 120 Lower Delta Road, #01-13 Cendex Centre, Tel: 6878 0200 • Bathroom Solutions by Econflo Systems Pte Ltd, 263/265 Beach Road, Tel: 6396 3738 • Bretz & Co Pte Ltd, 9 Penang Road, #B1-07, Park Mall, Tel: 6336 9926 • Homewerkz Pte Ltd, 24 Peck Seah Street, #01-04, Nehsons Building, Tel: 6227 7627 • Carera Bathroom Pte Ltd, 20 Upper Circular Road, #01- 50/54, The River walk, Tel: 6533 0455
11.03.2010 09:03:09
F l a s h I TEXT VICTOR CHEN
A rich design history inspires commemorative objects for Royal Selangor's 125th anniversary A teapot with matching sugar bowl and creamer is launched in a limited edition of 125 sets to mark
the 125th anniversary of Royal Selangor. They come in a wooden gift box with a certificate of authenticity and a copy of Born and Bred In Pewter Dust, a coffee-table book on Royal Selangor. Miniatures of the company’s designs are also issued as collectibles, including a melon-shaped teapot, a tankard and water pitcher designed by Anders Quistgaard, the company’s first chief designer, and a selection of photo frames with magnets on the back. F
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Available at Royal Selangor stores, authorised dealers and online www.royalselangor.com
PICTURES COURTESY OF Royal Selangor
PRIME pewter
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In tandem
with the popular return of the vintage 1960s era when splay-legged furniture with graphic print upholstery and slouchy bean bags reigned, and Elvis Presley was king, Molecule has astutely stocked a handsome range of shaggy rugs and natural skin carpets to go with the decor that has seamlessly morphed into the stylish lexicon. Keenly aware that quality matters, Molecule has sourced its selection from leading carpet makers such as Sirecom Tappeti from Italy, Tergus from France and Bayliss from Australia.
MOLECULE Great World City #02-33A Tel: 6733 2732 Orchard Central #03-07/08/23-26 Tel: 6509 0227 www.moleculeliving.com
Alize
Sirecom Tappeti is famous for using a combination of the finest New Zealand wool and polyester to create its soft, cooling yet cushy carpets that are easy to maintain while Tergus is the leader in carpets, cushions and poufs made from the skin of cows, sheep and springbok that come in natural, coloured or acid-washed finishes. And if you are a believer in experience, Bayliss has 65 years of history in making every imaginable carpet from the classical and textured to the contemporary tufted. F
Cuba White
Shiver Lion
Molecule extols the virtues of carpets and rugs
Whisper Chocolate
FORM 50
PICTURES COURTESY OF MOLECULE
Furloop Ivory
FormAd2009.pdf
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H E M S L E Y THE BATHROOM SPECIALIST
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technological know-how and contemporary insight. Their soft and reassuring shapes retrieve a classic harmony in tune with the present time.
Catalano Muse Freestanding Basin FRMU/FRPMU
HEMSLEY HOLDING PTE LTD 39a Jalan Pemimpin #07-01 Halcyon Building Singapore 577183 tel 6337 3136 fax 6253 6803 email sales@hemsley.com.sg Opening Hours Mon - Sat 9.30am - 6.30pm Sun 1pm - 5pm
W W W . H E M S L E Y . C O M . S G
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ATHLETIC SILHOUETTE Rational’s Tio kitchen is all taut muscles and tight abs
are sleeker and slimmer with its crisply designed Tio system. Comprising succinct vertical and horizontal sections and slender side panels, the architecture is superbly well proportioned. Internally, the system houses every imaginable state-of-the-art fitting and accessory that can be customised to satisfy the storage solutions demanded by fastidious home gourmet chefs.
Demonstrating the company’s commitment to protecting the environment by using ecofriendly solutions and materials, Rational has also switched from the use of micro lacquer to soft water-based lacquer. And when you run your hands over Tio’s soft lacquer finish, you will discover that it has an amazing tactile quality besides being aesthetically pleasing. F
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Haus #03-04 Palais Renaissance 390 Orchard Road Tel: 6235 6866 www.haus.com.sg
PICTURES COURTESY OF HAus
Rational has responded to the unyielding demand for minimalist kitchens that
Monticello Ad.indd 1
3/12/10 10:00 AM
F u n d a m e n t a l s
COOL FORMULA The refrigerator equivalent of Bentley and Lamborghini, Sub-Zero has introduced several cutting-edge innovations to its new built-in range
Thanks to its revolutionary ‘scrubbed air’ system that
banishes stale odours, you will be greeted by a fresh scent every time you open the doors of the new built-in Sub-Zero refrigerator. Originally developed at the request of NASA, the system uses small tubes coated with titanium dioxide that are enclosed in a box along with a UVC light to create a reaction that produces the oxidising agents to eliminate harmful elements including viruses, bacteria and the gases given off by stored items. This proprietary system has been commercially proven through wholesale food distributors, the medical community and the wine industry. It’s also assuring to know that the entire volume of air in the refrigerator is “scrubbed” via the system on an average of once every 20 minutes.
FORM 54
Sub-Zero has also optimised the interior space by reducing the flip-up grille (for easy cleaning of the condenser) by approximately 1.5 inches, and incorporated brighter and more evenly distributed lighting. In addition to the spill-proof shelves, the refrigerator side now includes a fixed deli drawer and storage shelves on the lower door for smaller items such as condiments and water bottles, enabling consumers to utilise previously dead space. In the freezer, the wire shelves have been encapsulated and a ‘max ice’ switch has been added to the control panel to enable the user to produce 20 per cent more ice than normal — ideal for party or heavy usage situations. The pioneering dual compressor operating system which ensures the best temperature and humidity control for the refrigerator and freezer sides of the unit continues to be the heart and soul of the new built-in line. But the welcome bonus comes in the form of an evaporator in the refrigerator side of the unit which ensures that the crisper and deli drawers are now two to three degrees cooler than the main refrigerator so that fruits, vegetables and meats can be stored as close as possible to 32 degrees F.
All products in the new built-in line will also come with a special information booklet on how to store food properly within the refrigerator. The booklet which has been developed in association with experts in post-harvest food storage from University of California-Davis provides a guide to storing food for optimum freshness. Two freshness cards have also been added. The first is a complete guide to maintaining the appliance including frequently asked questions. The second offers advice on storing food such as optimal temperatures and the amount of time food should be kept. These useful hard plastic cards are extremely durable and sit within the inside door of each refrigerator in specially designed slots. Aside from these innovative features, the built-in line has been updated with crisper drawers that have an improved glide system for easy, full extension; a more intuitive digital control panel that is easy to use; and door shelves that can be adjusted at every inch to maximise storage.
“The overhaul of the built-in line is not merely a new take on an old refrigerator,” says James Bakke, CEO and president of Sub-Zero Inc. “The technologies and design capabilities these models offer are incredible and unlike anything on the market today.” F Available at kitchen culture Thye Hong Centre #01-02/05 2 Leng Kee Road Tel: 6473 6776 www.kitchenculture.com
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Pictures courtesy of kitchen culture
Consistent with the trend for kitchens with sleek continuous surfaces, the new built-in Sub-Zero comes in three options: Overlay that can incorporate custom panels and hardware on the door and grille so that the unit blends more seamlessly into the surroundings; Stainless Steel with a new grille for a professional look that is installation ready right out of the box to complement any commercial-style kitchen; and Flush Inset where the unit can be positioned flush with adjacent cabinets so that they merge into one smooth plane on the same level.
F R I N G E i TEXT VICTOR CHEN PHOTOGRAPHY ALAN LEE / K STUDIO
architect Benny Cheng proves his mEtier in handling opposing forces, fashioning tribeca into a futuristic cocoon with facetted walls, mesh backdrops and mirrored ceiling FORM 56
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F r i n g e i TEXT LILY LI PHOTOGRAPHY ALAN LEE / K STUDIO
It appears that Erik L’Heureux, the designer of Inhabit The Other Store picked up
a retail design bible and decided to go against everything in it. And for that masterstroke the upscale boutique on the second level of the Mandarin Gallery is at once fresh, witty, and given the type of clients that the original store draws to its Palais Renaissance precinct, highly appropriate.
living up to its cult and alt fashionista status, inhabit the other store is a stealth hit at mandarin gallery
The corner unit is obscured partly by its neighbour and partly by a pillar – a dire situation that calls for all manner of bells and whistles to extenuate. One is rewarded with the prospect of two small apertures on a dark timber wall instead of cheery, gaping show windows enthusiastically filled with this season’s merchandise. Don’t even look for megawatt floodlights trained on a platoon of mannequins or a marquee spelt out in neon – the store’s name appears in white letters above a list of brands and again carved on a wall by the entrance. But wait. The angled entrance suddenly flashes a view of the interior. You see a framed art on a wall and a mannequin clad in a long jersey dress seemingly in conversation with someone you can’t see. Within the darkened space a white canted structure glimmers, a light beam shoots out from a brown box towards the ceiling, and more dark timber strips arranged in herringbone pattern tie up the randomness. A familiar club music track is playing. You’re hooked. FORM 60
There’s no denying the voyeuristic pleasure you derive from such chance encounter. And when you’re drawn inside, your eyes immediately adjust to the darkness, picking out a group of chairs huddled in a circle, wall recesses filled with clothes hanging from a rack, niches stacked with jeans, a cashier’s counter with a display of small accessories. Cool artworks, such as the ones you would hang in your own pad, share wall space with a singular cocktail dress on a hanger or a wrap on a peg. You get it: art to wear. All Louboutin-padded footsteps lead to Inhabit and The Other Store’s opening is unsurprising given its broadening clientele. It has been clothing seriously fashionable women – and, increasingly, men – who have developed a taste for cult brands of rare, artisanal apparel and accessories. Its rise in the collective consciousness of the fashion set is uncanny, having survived and grown mostly by word of mouth endorsements.
The present space reflects the ethos of the company: Intimate and sophisticated, yet never offputting. This is a place where like-minded clients hang out as they try on clothes and accessories or discuss the minutiae of certain labels. In other words, it is a cross between an exclusive club and a home – the antithesis of a McMall outlet where a hundred pairs of hands go through thousands of minutely differentiated products. The dark timber sets a sophisticated tone; its herringbone pattern, repeated on walls, floor and fixtures, is a double play on both clothing and handcrafting. Wooden cubes become display tables and light boxes – among the original touches in the store. On it may be a vitrine displaying a collection of accessories arranged like surgical tools, or a metal-beaded blouse picked out by the soft glow of a pin light. On it as well is a free-form light chute from which a beam of mottled light partially filtered by gobo is directed at the ceiling. Three dressing rooms are suspended from the ceiling and tubes stuck on their walls provide a twoway peek – an arthouse-worthy bit that explores the dichotomy of what is inside and outside. A large mirror fixed on the outside wall, echoing what is inside, extends this conceptual riddle. Although illumination is evenly and judiciously applied, the white ceiling helps distribute them. Its colour also alleviates the space’s lack of height and provides a balance to the otherwise sombre, if sensual, interior. In the midst of such leisureliness, albeit a manufactured one, retail does become a form of therapy. You feel wise and deliberate about your purchases, making it easy to drop a mint on a bauble. F Inhabit - The Other Store 333A Orchard Road #02-16 Mandarin Gallery Tel: 6836 8441
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Richard Se
is a man constantly on the move. An architect who has a portfolio of remarkably stylish projects and an accomplished photographer who has the enviable task of documenting the Aman resorts around Asia, Richard has the same restlessness when it comes to his own home. While most people would find moving house a hassle, Richard does so almost every other year. His latest residence is a three-storey terraced house in quiet corner of Ampang. Post-makeover, its minimalist facade and forbidding mild steel gate defy the uniform look of Malaysia’s mass housing projects. Â
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Marc Newson's Gluon chair and an ethnic rug make an unlikely couple but speak of Richard's love for design and travel
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The highest floor of the house is dedicated to Richard’s private space and was designed like a self-contained hotel suite EQUAL RIGHTS The tough exterior of the house melts away the minute one walks into the compound and encounter the tranquil dipping pool which borders the porch where the token patch of garden used to be. This unexpected softness tempers Richard’s masculine aesthetic and is a leitmotif throughout the home. The hard edges, evident in the floor tiles in unforgiving black, raw concrete feature walls and acres of ebony built-in storage and doors, make this home seem more abattoir than urban sanctuary but the soft touches like deliciously welcoming daybeds upholstered with Jim Thompson salt and pepper textile and the recessed lighting which imbue the rooms with a seductive ambience tone down the tough guy traits. Richard’s favourite new gadget is the intimidating Artemide Tian Xia pendant lamp whose metallic surface softens into a defused glow of different coloured lights. “It’s as if the light has a life of its own. It’s so incredibly versatile and it can be changed according to my mood,” he enthuses.
THE LIGHT WAY Terraced houses often suffer from a lack of natural light so the dark finishes preferred by Richard can be a double whammy. But Richard countered this with large windows and sliding doors at both ends as well as floor-to-ceiling clear glass louvres in the air-well which pierces all three levels. Nothing has been added to the house which doesn’t contribute to the beauty or enhance its user-friendliness. Each bathroom was designed so that there is no need for superfluous shower screens and its open aspect leaves no doubt of Richard’s frequent jaunts to those luxurious Aman resorts. FORM 65
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LOFT IN SPACE One of the reasons why the three-storey house works so well is because Richard also has an office on one of the floors. “The splitting of the floors gives me a bit of privacy,” he says. Out of the 1,700sq ft of space, Richard managed to carve out a home office, two bedrooms, a living room, kitchen and dining room. “It wasn’t very big so instead of making everything grand, my idea was to make every inch of space count and to keep it cosy,” he enthuses. Richard’s clever use of space is splendidly realised in the top floor which was designed as an all-in-one suite. Imagined as Richard’s private hideaway, it contains a living area, a bedroom, a walk-in closet, bathroom and small office. There’s even a hidden daybed tucked away in a corner which faces a view of the Twin Towers.
The Artemide Tian Xia lamp is the centrepiece of the living room and casts intriguing shadows on Zaini Zainul's Tsunami series painting and the raw concrete wall
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Despite the dark flooring and being on the lowest level of the house, the dining room is flooded with light courtesy of the floorto-ceiling louvres
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Richard’s small but perfectly formed kitchen has a no-nonsense almost industrial feel to it
Far from being claustrophobic, each section has sliding doors which can open up into one large space. The high-pitched roof with exposed trusses further contributes to the immensely expansive feel. Richard explains: “The original pitched room was termite infested so I had to rip out everything. While the shape of the structure remains, I put in metal trusses instead of timber. I decided to leave it exposed so it feels like a double volume space. Not only does it look very contemporary, the play of the trusses against each other at night evokes a sculptural effect.” Despite Richard’s penchant for change, he never cuts corners in designing his personal residences. “Everything I design for myself, I design to live in forever,” he says emphatically. “I think I have done the best I could for the space available. In fact, I moved in with my existing furniture with no additional purchases because when I designed it I knew where everything would go.” Even for someone with a permanent case of wanderlust, it’s not hard to see why Richard looks forward to returning to a haven such as this. F
The same large format charcoal tiles were used throughout the house and Ricahrd calls them his bling bling tiles as they sparkle on closer inspection
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F L A I R i TEXT VICTOR CHEN
Katong in
the eastern part of Singapore enjoys undiminished reputation as prime residential address. The old enclave where Peranakans earlier brandished their tastes through elaborate showcase homes has had a series of gentrifications that continues as we speak. At some point, there was a spate of interest in vigorously utilitarian bungalows and shophouses, often expressed in modernist ‘ocean liner’ architecture, a tribute to the area’s seaside locale. There was also a period marked by the rise of nondescript box homes as well as swaggering experimental architecture. Today, multi-storey condominiums may look down on quaint bungalows with lily-lined porte-cochere and swag-festooned facade, but in the interim a few brave souls erected two-, three-level dwellings that referenced nothing within a two-mile radius. Loosely referred to as modern tropical architecture, it is self-consciously streamlined, with a flat roof, predominant linearity, sunshades, shutters and, invariably, a stark white facade. The three-storey ‘modern tropical house’ that Vincent Lim designed for his clients, a couple in their 30s and their young children, has the hallmarks of this type of architecture, but the principal of VeTarchitecture has imbued it with innovative and subtle styling most prominently with the progression of rooms along the sight line. The ground floor’s open plan is immediately apparent as one steps into the abode. Here the eyes travel unhampered from end to end, even looking out to the garden where a row of bamboo trees suggests the threshold. The living room marks the first territory – a spacious area whose boundaries are marked by the vertical lines of the darkened jambs and again by an assemblage of dark furniture. The dining area, partially visible from the living room, stands side by side with the dry kitchen and marks a second territory immediately yonder. A water feature occupies the third section with the wet kitchen, and finally, a wall that encloses the lone bedroom on the ground floor signals the visual terminus.
Subtly nuanced drama unfolds in a house Vincent Lim designed for a young family
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The structures are shielded from the morning sun by a louvre system
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predominant linearity replaces quaint embellishments in this modern tropical house by vincent lim FORM 72
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The sense of progression – of crossing boundaries – is likewise suggested by elemental cues (the dining table under pendant lighting), unifying element (the expanse of marble floor underfoot), and chromatic divergences (red-hued timber floor on the adjoining deck). Although unembellished, the interior does not feel empty owing to the aforementioned gracefully sequenced progression and a sense of internal rhythm. “I am more interested in symbolic embellishments,” Vincent confesses, “I want it to be experiential rather than literal.” The renovation preserved the back portion of the existing two-storey house, added new sections around and above it, and created a third storey. Vincent shares that the project took six months to design and a year to build. Setbacks were maintained on the front, back and eastern sides of the property to maintain a feeling of openness and to improve the circulation of light and air. “The scale is in harmony with the environment. There are a lot of three-storey structures in the vicinity and the project is not overpowering in any sense,” Vincent notes. The property is bounded by a party wall in the west and a pathway in the east – a pair of serendipitous elements that ensure an open vista on one side and a sun shield on the other.
Simple lines are relieved with patches of light and shadow
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A reflecting pool breaks up the severity of forms in the interior FORM 74
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On the second storey, Vincent arranged three bedrooms from front to back and equipped them with facilities – two bedrooms share a toilet; all three have access to a study, family room and common storage – to work out a degree of individuality. If the first storey is about open-face communality, the second is about pockets of privacy.
The line of sight remains unhampered in any direction
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a procession of domains is at once visible through a series of openings
the random views of nature compromise the tough shell of the house FORM 78
Pictures courtesy of VeTarchitecture
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Luxury in discreet forms abound in all parts of the house
On the third storey, Vincent heightened privacy yet again by creating a totally exclusive domain encompassing the master bedroom, its walk-in wardrobe, toilet and bath, and roof terrace. Lavish details compromise the resolute simplicity of the design; floors are sometimes clad in marble and walls are often dressed up in exotic wood. A free-standing porcelain tub, for instance, stands on an expanse of marble like an anchored yacht that commands the choice prospects of its environs. Glass windows look out at an angle through louvres in a deft expression of the privileged view. This is one area where Vincent clearly heightened sensuality by playing up what is exposed and what is covered up, what is seen and what is concealed. Nowhere in the entire house is Vincent’s steady hand and consummate skill in controlling excess most evident than here. A similar smaller structure housing the second family room stands behind the master domain on the third storey; a linkway connects the two structures. Ironically, these surmounting structures are almost unprepossessing except for the correctness of their lines. They are the dark pinnacles of a white concrete base, a forceful assemblage of detailed work, of a system of layering and partial concealment that draws the eye upward. Thus Vincent’s deliberate arrangement of rooms into areas and of areas into domains can be examined horizontally as well as vertically. From front to back, this scheme is a procession of rooms that await inspection. Although visually accessible, they hold enough secrets that are revealed to those who venture into them. From ground up, this scheme is an ascent into privacy that begins with the welcoming first storey and terminates with the exclusive third. The linkway connects the front and the back structure on the third storey
Vincent has been designing theatrical sets for 10 years, an unsurprising revelation given his firm grasp of how a drama unfolds in threedimensional space. This same understanding is also allowed to distinguish a set from a setting, and ultimately to deliver the latter. F FORM 79
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Like an inscrutable face, the facade of this house is all business and gives nothing away
Rising like
a concrete monolith in a quiet well-heeled suburb in Kuala Lumpur, this arresting and rather intimidating bungalow is the last thing you’d expect in a street full of unremarkable contemporary tropical and politely modernist architecture. The tall grey facade is softened somewhat by gigantic metal and wooden louvres, a motif repeated on the back portion of the concrete tower. This element of the unexpected overcomes the visitor again when walking up the grand staircase which winds around the side of the house, where instead of something claustrophobically industrial, one is confronted by a transparent cube which holds the main living room and looks to the serene azure glass mosaic pool beyond.
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Sliding doors can be thrown wide open so that outdoor and indoor spaces melt seamlessly into each other
The serene swimming pool and timber decking is a respite from the severe concrete finishing
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Pass the parcel The facade may tell one story, but it was in fact the actual building of the house that faced the most complexities. Owner Lynn wanted something out of the ordinary when she first commissioned Kevin Low of Small Projects to take on the job, but from that point, the project seemed to take on a life of its own and ultimately required the expertise of numerous other architects and designers before its completion. After Kevin completed the conceptual drawing, the construction of the physical house changed hands to BC Ang and Wen Hsia Ang of Building Bloc. As the house reached completion after two years of construction, the baton was passed on again to Ramesh Seshan who undertook the interior architecture. Lynn’s atypical house was also situated on a site which was anything but ordinary, in fact the rear of the land has an incredibly steep upward slope. Mirroring this idea of height, the concept was initially of a rectangular block facing the road and another rectangular block at a 90 degree angle to it. The house and gardens would be a series of layers of four levels opening up to a private courtyard where a swimming pool took centre stage. When BC and Wen Hsia arrived on the site, they realised that certain things had to be changed like the orientation of the main entrance. Despite these hiccups and realising that the site would be incredibly challenging, they dived in to bring Lynn’s dream to life without losing sight of their design aesthetic in the detailing of the house. The house ended up taking two years of construction because the retaining wall took one year to construct. Building problems also cropped up like the intricate fair faced concrete walls which had to be swapped for Shanghai plaster instead because of finishing problems.
Carl Hansen wishbone chairs were chosen for the dining room and a favorite of the owners because of their sculptural quality and comfort
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Exotic veneers were chosen like this Palisander venneer which is beautiful enough to serve as feature walls and warms up the concrete structure
The curved wall conceals storage space and an altar in the family area
Inside Out Now that the shell was completed, Lynn admits that while she wanted an exterior which can weather in a tropical climate, she liked a more polished and refined interior. Ramesh, whose specialty is slick contemporary interiors, rose to the challenge and went about softening and adding warmth to the severity of the exterior. “The wood was a response to the black and white because Lynn ultimately wanted a home. Timber was used to offset this and we chose exotic veneers which add character and can stand as features,� he explains. FORM 86
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Travertine walls contrast sharply with the black Maquina marble counter in the utterly luxurious master bathroom The best example is the delicious honey Palisander veneer feature wall which hides the lift, forms a backdrop for living room and greets you when you enter the the grand front doors. Another signature Ramesh touch are the secret sliding door and pivots found throughout the house which add a discreet wow element. “When I design houses, I imagine I’m the owner taking guests through and showing them these little touches so I give the client little bits for them to show off,” he chuckles. After going through a gamut of architects, Lynn has finally moved into the house which had a painstaking gestation. While many main pieces of furniture have been purchased and installed, Lynn still confesses that there is a way to go till the house is finally a home. Indeed while it takes many hands to make a house, as Geoffrey Bawa says: Architecture cannot be totally explained but must be experienced. F
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F R A M E
i TEXT JENNIFER CHOO PHOTOGRAPHY TIAN XING
Built almost entirely of recycled materials including old wooden utility poles, this residence in Langkawi is a laidback eco-friendly wonder
Perched on
top of a hill overlooking Pantai Cenang on Langkawi, this remarkable house is all about second acts. Its owners are a German couple living in Malaysia under the ‘Malaysia My Second Home’ programme. And the architectural team comprising BC Ang and his wife, Wen Hsia, of Building Bloc has not only ingeniously updated the vernacular architectural typology but also employed materials destined for the landfill and given them a second lease of life.
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Caught in between industrial chic and basic functionality, the open kitchen brims with personality and possibility
Almost obscured by lush tropical vegetation, this hideaway is the ultimate in privacy The journey to the house involves a drive up a small hillside road, followed by a walk up a flight of steps with the house slowly unfolding at the top with commanding views of the mountains and sea. Sprawled over 2.5 acres, the built-up area is approximately 3,500sq ft. Similar in construction to a tribal longhouse built on stilts with rooms on the upper floor and an open ground floor, the layout is simplicity personified. An ease of purpose and inspiration permeates the relationship between the clients and architects from the get go. “The owners wanted a timber house. They were drawn to the traditional Malay architectural idiom. We instantly understood their brief as we have always loved the airy architecture of old wooden Malaysian houses,” Wen Hsia recalls. “However, we felt that building a house with new timber is quite unsustainable as shrinkage and warping occur inherently when newly cut timber does not have the luxury of time to dry out properly before use. It is a prolonged process and most homeowners do not have the time to wait it out.”
Old timber utility poles are a surprising inspiration and were left in their weathered state with their serial numbers intact FORM 90
Since the owners subscribe to a natural aesthetic, recycled timber floorings provided unmistakable character and distressed beauty
RECYCLED LIFE Thankfully BC and Wen Hsia hit on a viable solution for the main structural frame and roof trusses for this all timber house: Discarded old timber utility poles found throughout Malaysia that have since been replaced by concrete ones. When the duo first saw them being replaced several years ago, they thought that the five by five-inch thick, square-cut poles would make excellent columns as they had managed to withstand the elements for decades and maintain their soundness from impending termite attacks. They had also acquired a beautiful greyish patina and texture which only time can impart to wood surfaces. The duo found their source of old utility poles in a timber yard in Kedah while the floorboards, wallboards and roof shingles were salvaged from buildings that had been demolished in Langkawi and Penang. In order to speed up and smoothen the process, the steel doors, windows and utility conduits were seamlessly integrated from the onset of the design phase. Invigorating the simple open structure with a contemporary attitude, BC and Wen Hsia have managed to imbue the house with a sleek linear look even as the patina of the old timber provokes a strong contrast of refined vintage.
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the recycled timber gives the simple elegAnt longhouse architecture an instant patina of age and timelessness
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the layout was kept open, As much as possible, to embrace the outdoors. the exception is the kitchen enclosed with sliding glass doors to keep out intruding monkeys and wandering animals
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Instead of relying on adornment or fancy footwork, the beauty of this house lies in the patina of the materials and the interplay of light and shadow OPEN EMBRACE To exploit the magnificent view surrounding the house, the ground floor fully opens out to an infinity pool overlooking the sea and the horizon. Not much stands between the elements and the interior except in the kitchen which is the only enclosed space to keep out intruding monkeys and wandering animals although the sliding doors can be opened to allow the space between the living room and the kitchen to flow freely. Â
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F R A M E
Bedrooms are reminiscent of the woodwork found in old kampung houses
In keeping with the languid spirit of the house, the owners have kept it sparsely furnished with simple local pieces like wooden lounge chairs with rattan backs and fourposter beds enveloped in romantic mosquito netting. Wen Hsia says: “The owners’ personal belongings will always give the house a personality of its own.”
The bathroom is fitted with a butler sink and unflinchingly basic taps
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Romantic mosquito netting and pristine white sheets soften the almost severe elegance of the bedroom The project took 18 months, from design to completion, and the architects attribute this to the outstanding synergy and collaborative efforts of the clients, architects, engineers and builders. “The energy and momentum has been good from start to finish. Everyone did their part and made building this house enjoyable and pleasant. We truly enjoyed the process,” Wen Hsia says. Aristotle once said “Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work”, and considering this exceptional house, he wasn’t far wrong. F
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F a c e s i TEXT Jennifer Choo PHOTOGRAPHY (Sekeping Tenggiri) by Lin Ho Pictures courtesy of Seksan Design
JUNGLE
Radical
Free-spirited Malaysian landscape architect, Ng Seksan, marches to the beat of his own drum, crafting green living and public spaces that reflect his inner soul FORM 98
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Non
-comformists are a dying breed in Malaysia, especially in the field of architecture where the bottom line is crucial - all the more in a field as fledgling as landscape architecture. So for someone who can easily be labelled as a rebel, it’s amazing how successful Ng Seksan has been in infusing the local landscape with his brand of contemporary designs with just enough quirkiness to set them apart from the norm. Even in distinctly commercial projects for heavyweight players like YTL, Bandaraya Development and IGB as well as unapologetically luxurious residentials like Ampersand, Troika and Ascott, the Seksan touch stands out loud and clear. Seksan has been successfully walking this tight rope between commercial viability and creative integrity since he began his own practice, Seksan Design, in 1994. He confesses that he has managed to pull it off because nothing will be built if he is too much of a purist and hardheaded over design integrity. But he concedes that if one is overwhelmed with commercial considerations and viability, the results may be what he terms as more S.O.S. (same old sh_ _ ).
While Seksan resolutely avoids the glare of publicity (he has a policy of no direct portrait shots), his work speaks eloquently for what he believes in Rooms are sparse on luxury but have a charming simplicity about them
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Despite being brand-new, the facade of Sekeping Tenggiri has already acquired a weathered patina “Thanks to our office portfolio, we are happy with being 80 per cent commercial. They are bread and butter projects that subsidise the 20 per cent soul projects. Yet amid the seriousness of all the commercial considerations, we will still try to subvert the projects with some element of play and experimentation. We do not usually tell the client about this and it often ends up as a surprise for them,” he laughs mischievously. The Seksan style is quite distinctive. It is simple, restrained, uncluttered and never overtly finished. His projects always display a reverence for the land; treading on it as lightly as possible. He also champions the use of local materials and gives them a fresh perspective. So thanks to Seksan, the public has become accustomed to seeing chicken wire used for park seats. But there is never theme park gimmick in his designs because they are firmly anchored to the golden principles of space, scale and proportion. Demurring over queries on his signature style, Seksan counters: “The word style bothers me because it sounds very transient and short term. Our philosophy is our design that is timeless and valid over a very long period of time. Yet our works are continuously evolving with each generation informing the next. And I believe our designs are successively becoming simpler, less fussy and technically more sophisticated.” But reverting to a rebel mode, he exclaims as an afterthought: “Call it Reformasi style. I still do not know exactly what it entails but I like the sound of it and the subversive nature of it.” No matter how one attempts to define it, Seksan has left his mark not only on the Malaysian landscape architectural circuit but also in its widest architectural context. FORM 103
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All the common areas have an open concept and the lack of walls make embracing the outdoors a delicious experience. Recycled materials were used as much as possible to unexpected effect like how the lamps hanging over the long table were made with empty cat food tins and Yakult bottleS This graduate of University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, with a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) who also holds a postgraduate diploma in Landscape Architecture from Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand, particularly loves working with raw bricks and mortar. Likening himself to an ant that cannot stop building, Seksan is imbued with an urge to renovate or build something new for himself every four years. Two of the manifestations of this peculiar trait are the pair of retreats he built: Sekeping Serendah and, more recently, Sekeping Tenggiri. FORM 104
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Sekeping Tenggiri is a guesthouse in the suburbs of Bangsar. It was initially planned as a warehouse gallery for Seksan’s extensive art collection. However when it was completed, he had to turn it into a guesthouse to help pay the mortgage. The project had its share of drama as Seksan had to take on the local city council (DBKL) as he exceeded the allocated setbacks. DBKL served him with a demolition order, which was swiftly followed by a battalion of 60 demolition workers, the police, the entire planning department and a huge bulldozer. The situation was resolved amicably and Seksan admits: “To set the record straight, I was contravening every rule in the planning bylaws and I deserved it. While I have always advocated breaking rules to advance design, I am seriously rethinking that strategy! It was a very humbling experience.”
Exposed brick, concrete and weathered wood form an unpretentious canvas for a space which celebrates the beauty of humble materials
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However I am also rather good at making my clients feel guilty about their overzealous declaration on being green, eco-city this and eco-park that. I often question if the ‘eco’ means economic super profit or ecological. I suspect in a lot of cases, it is the former.” On his part, Seksan has gotten rid of most of the air-conditioners in his home, makes his own compost and resists buying an MPV (even though he has three kids, he drives a two-seater 700cc car.) Sadly, Seksan announced his retirement to the industry and will be phasing out work in the coming two years. The reason he quotes is that he doesn’t find it fun to be in the industry anymore because it is getting too serious.
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Despite the open quality of the rooms, each space has been configured for maximum privacy
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“Everyone nowadays wants to have an iconic or an award-winning development. I am neither an iconic nor an award-winning landscape architect, I guess I am just being squeezed out of the industry!!” Although he is vague about his future plans, Roald’s Dahl’s favourite quote seems appropriate: My candle burns at both ends it will not last the night. But ah my foes and oh my friends it gives a lovely light. “ Seksan’s vast art collection is displayed at Sekeping Tenggiri. He says his addiction to art was sparked by his former boss in Christchurch, New Zealand, who gave him a painting as a farewell gift in 1990. But it was only after he bought a Burnett paper print from NZ in 1994 to inspire his company’s logo that he made the decision to set aside 10 per cent of the company’s annual profit to collect Malaysian contemporary art. At the start of his architectural career, Seksan had planned to retire at 40 and become a full time artist. The 49-year-old says that he has given up painting because the artists whose works he collects paint so much better than him. But he remains inspired by art: “I find the discourse in art fascinating. There are some very deep thinkers and idealists operating in this area and we borrow some of their philosophy and art-making strategies in our landscape works.” With the current craze for all things sustainable and eco-friendly, one would imagine that Seksan would have strong views on that since it could be said that he championed the cause before it became trendy. “To be honest I am not that green, I still have guilty feelings everyday on my over consumption and lifestyle.
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A makeshift quality permeates the guest house, abetted by the fact that most of the beds are mattresses laid out on raised platforms
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The entrance to the office of Seksan Design is heavily obscured by vines and foliage which belie the open plan format within
67 Tempinis
The HQ of Seksan Design is a converted suburban house stripped of many of its walls and overrun with creepers and vines. Whatever walls are left are mostly exposed brick which lends itself beautifully as a backdrop to the semi-cultivated urban jungle. Pools of water add a touch of serenity and abet the illusion that this is more sanctuary than office although this is toughened up and contrasted by wire mesh chairs, rough granite rock borders and sheet metal sculptures. The collection of paintings and sculptures on display is constantly changing as the ground floor is offered as a venue for exhibitions and performances.
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Lot 10 rooftop
What was once Lot 10’s roof carpark has been transformed into an oasis amid the hustle and bustle of Bukit Bintang. Housing a fitness club, a dance club, a restaurant and The Actors Studio, Seksan gives the built-up space a respite with a large open area covered with soft green grass. While vertical green walls are still relatively novel in Malaysia, they have found a suitable home here. Almost as if echoing the skyscrapers surrounding Lot 10, Seksan festoons several walls with lush tropical foliage. FORM 115
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Sekeping Serendah
Located near the sleepy one street town of Serendah, about an hour’s drive north of Kuala Lumpur, Sekeping Serendah is a private retreat. Encapsulating Seksan’s ethos of attempting to tread lightly on the land, the five acres of tropical rainforest have only five sheds. Each shed is open and very transparent, all the better to celebrate the beauty of the natural environment surrounding them. The sheds have intentionally been kept basic and free from lavishness and appear to float gently over the forest floor beside a bubbling brook. Seksan likens them to ‘glorified tents’ which provide basic shelter for its inhabitants as they commune with the land.
Each shed has been built as a minimalist shelter to ensure maximum enjoyment of the surrounding environment
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Sentul Park
Sentul Park draws its inspiration from the landscape style of 18th century English gardens which broke away from the formality of the French tradition to become a simple appreciation of unadorned nature
Covering 35 acres, Sentula Park is a conversion of a nine-hole golf course into a private gated community park. Part of a regeneration strategy for a rundown inner-city neighbourhood, it will in future serve the 25,000 residents in the planned high-rise developments surrounding it. In the meantime, it is open to the public for general recreation and for concerts and outdoor theatre (the KL Performing Arts Centre is located at the fringe of the park). The materials for the infrastructure, with the exception of steel, are entirely local. They include clay bricks, recycled railway sleepers and industrial metal grates. Since the idea of a park surrounding the condo units is akin to outdoor rooms that are an extension of the home, you’ll be able to find outdoor furniture like concrete sofas made of painted concrete, wire mesh and sheet metal chairs fixed to the ground.
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Seksan Design’s witty submission for the Singapore Garden Festival is a refreshing take on landscaping
Singapore Garden Festival
Seksan’s love for art and appreciation for the lighter side of life reveals itself in an amusing take on Andy Warhol’s iconic Marilyn Monroe print for the Singapore Garden Festival. Different shades of plants were mounted to form this playful pixilated version of the actress. Seksan also paid homage to Mao Zedong, another legend who has achieved pop status, in an almost crop circle style portrait of the communist leader. F
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F l i n g i TEXT JENNIFER CHOO
Not quite occidental, yet not distinctly oriental, Sita Bar is slick, sexy and welcoming
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HIT AND
MYTH With loose design references that include the Hindu epic Ramayana and quirky, modern Thai touches, boutique hotel Tenface is a fashionable BANGKOK bolthole with a personality all its own
Responsible for
the now-defunct Playground, Bangkok's answer to Colette, renowned tastemakers Noble Development makes waves once again with a boutique hotel inspired by the Ramayana. Such inspiration would seem gargantuan – and therefore unwieldy – but in the hands of IAW interiors firm, best known for the hip Greyhound cafes, it is a ploy to deck out Tenface with sophisticated quirkiness.
Willing and fable With the wise, 10-faced giant Tosakan from Ramayana as unlikely source of hotel name and occasionally surreal design inspiration, Tenface is slickly contemporary albeit heaped with surreal murals of floating elephants and other fascinating exotica. Housed in a modern, eight-storey apartment block, this is evidently an establishment reserved for those who are in the know: The entrance is not prominently marked and finding it would be a challenge unless one is deposited to the doorstep by one of the hotel’s own cool, black tuk-tuks (for complimentary transfers to Ploenchit BTS) or vintage limousine. The dimly lit lobby, with barely any windows and just the prospects of deep burgundy corridors and dark grey doors, instantly delivers guests to mystery’s threshold. FORM 123
Is it fit for man or beast? Surreal graphic cutouts give Tenface an element of the unexpected..
The grEyness of concrete assumes an almost poetic quality when lit well and accented with whimsical illustrations
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A bright yellow lego brick wall gives the elegant monochromatic colour scheme a point of contrast
A cross between a boutique design hotel and a traditional serviced apartment, accommodation at Tenface ranges from a modest 69-sqm room to a 142-sqm suite. Beyond the dim lobby are well-lit and airy suites that are tricked out with flat screen televisions, kitchenettes and other amenities. The rooms’ clean, sharp lines evoke a slightly masculine feel but they are softened by black and white Thai script and mythical characters whimsically stenciled on the walls. Although restraint in design is evident, some of the rooms are painted in cheery yellow or red and wooden floors also go a long way to warm up the colour scheme.
Eat, drink, man, woman The city’s beautiful people have been flocking to Wanara and Sita, Tenface’s restaurant and bar, respectively. Wanara serves fusion cuisine in a space marked by contrasting monochromes. It would seem that the designers have extended the fusion theme to the décor, which juxtaposes classic style with whimsical touches. Brasserie staples such as marble tabletops and black leather booth seats contrast sharply against the figure of a gigantic bamboo snake swallowing a man – a quirky welcome sign for any restaurant. Adjacent to the lobby, concealed by heavy black blinds, Sita Bar takes its name from the epic’s heroine. Just like her namesake, the bar is beguilingly beautiful with modernist steel and wood furniture set against dark wood and vibrantly coloured walls – a device that allows Sita to avoid the sterile ambience that has been used to a fault in too many hipster bars. Comfortable sofas and low-key lighting offer a soothing, hospitable atmosphere where one can take their time unwinding under murals that recall scenes from the Ramayana – this time interpreted as a graphic novel. FORM 125
TENFACE SUITE
Tenface suites offer all the convenience and coSiness of an apartment so lingering is an incredibly tempting option
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A fastidious attention to detail and a sense of humour are what make the sheer improbability of this concept work. But consistency is key here: Upon checking in, guests receive a Tosakan heart box filled with a sky train pass, SIM card and an iPod Nano for downloading Bangkok podcasts, and more. If that were not enough treat, guests can also run to Pipek, the hotel’s entertainment guru named after the estranged brother of Tosakan, for an exclusive rundown of cool parties and goings-on around town. F TENFACE 81 Soi Ruamrudee 2, Wireless Road Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Thailand Tel: 662 695 4242 www.tenfacebangkok.com
Stylised representations of ancient texts add a playful graffiti-esque dimension to Wanara restaurant
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F i n a l e
After giving a daring fillip to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Atmos 561 clock in 2009 by housing its iconic
mechanical movement that operates by means of tiny changes in atmospheric temperature in a clear transparent Baccarat crystal bubble, the Australian-born designer has extended the concept which was an instant hit with trendy collectors to this year’s Atmos 566 clock. But this time, Jaeger-LeCoultre has installed its new Calibre 566 within the Baccarat bubble. So in addition to the hour and minute hands, it also displays the month and equation of time along with a rendition of the northern hemisphere, cardinal points and zodiac signs. It comes in two limited editions: 18 in blue crystal and 48 in white crystal. F
Jaeger-LeCoultre 328 North Bridge Road, Raffles Hotel Arcade #01-12 Tel: 6339 5911 www.jaeger-lecoultre.com
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Pictures courtesy of Jaeger-LeCoultre
The second chapter of Marc Newson’s provocative Atmos
FORM S 232X308MM O2_1414 ND1151
26.2.10
D18/A12
150
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45Ëš
C M Y K
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