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Meinhardt Japan Celebrates Third Anniversary

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Meinhardt Japan marked a significant milestone with the celebration of its third anniversary, hosting an exclusive event that brought together close to 150 industry stalwarts including developers, government officials, technology players,  Meinhardt Group Global Board Members and management staff. Held in Tokyo on 8 October 2024, the anniversary celebration highlighted Meinhardt Japan’s rapid growth, the unveiling of groundbreaking innovations, and the company’s strategic vision for the future.

 

The celebration also commemorated the broader achievements of the Meinhardt Group as it looks forward to its 70th anniversary in 2025. With a strong focus on innovation, cross-border collaboration, and digital transformation, the event served as a platform for announcing Meinhardt Japan’s continued expansion in the Japanese market and beyond.

 

Among the distinguished attendees were government officials and key industry leaders. The presence of Mr Low Hon Mun, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Singapore Embassy in Japan, underscored the importance of cross-national collaboration, while senior executives from  Japan’s leading general contractors and design consultancies added further gravitas to the occasion.

 

The event provided a unique opportunity for Meinhardt Group’s leadership team, including over  20 representatives from the company, to engage directly with key clients and partners, fostering new business opportunities and strengthening existing relationships.

 

In his keynote address, Dr Shahzad Nasim, Executive Chairman of Meinhardt Group, delivered an impactful speech that not only reflected on Meinhardt Japan’s journey over the past few years but also outlined the plans for the future. He highlighted Meinhardt Japan’s evolution since its founding in February 2022, noting how the office has grown into a first-class consultancy with a dedicated team of specialists in architectural, structural, and MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) design backed up by the full weight of the group’s global resources.

 

“We certainly did not come to Japan to teach anything new to Japanese companies who are known internationally for their innovation, high quality and attention to detail. We are here to strengthen and leverage our existing relationships with Japanese companies to extend and expand our collaboration both in Japan and globally, where Meinhardt has a strong presence, people and expertise. This is a win-win proposition. Japan is facing what most developed countries are facing – a shortage of skilled manpower. Meinhardt will utilise its global expertise and more than 6000 technical staff to support Japanese companies in design, BIM modelling and production of drawings for their projects both in Japan and abroad. Our strong presence here will make this collaboration easier. Our bilingual engineering team, combined with dedicated access to global talent, positions us as an ideal partner for Japanese companies to collaborate,” said Dr Nasim in his speech.

 

“This paves the way for collaboration on bigger, more complex and technology projects, such as high-tech industrial projects, mission-critical facilities, high-rise buildings, smart cities and major infrastructure projects, where Meinhardt has an enviable reputation. Our focus on digital planning, technology and data-driven design, positions us to deliver sustainable cities of the future. We are here for the long term and are committed to playing a key role in Japan’s dynamic engineering landscape,” he added.

 

One of the highlights of the evening was the introduction of Meinhardt Digital Technology  Solutions’ (DTS) groundbreaking Generative AI engine. Developed under the Trailblazers 2.0  programme – spearheaded by the Communications and Information Ministry, Digital Industry  Singapore, the Smart Nation Group and Google Cloud – and supported by Singapore’s  Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), this new Consultancy Augmentation Tool is instrumental to Meinhardt’s ongoing digital transformation. The platform assists with the streamlining and enhancement of the production of consultancy deliverables.

 

“This AI-powered tool is designed to amalgamate Meinhardt’s tremendous domain knowledge and practical experience across the world to position Meinhardt as a pioneer in leveraging AI to redefine the consulting landscape. We believe this tool will address various challenges faced by project delivery teams, creating a more connected and intuitive consulting environment, and underscoring Meinhardt’s commitment to innovation and digitalisation,” said Mr Omar Shahzad, CEO of Meinhardt Group.

 

A key theme of the event was Meinhardt Japan’s role as a bridge between Japan and the global market. Through cross-border collaboration, Meinhardt Japan has successfully integrated the expertise of the multi-disciplinary Meinhardt Group to bring the latest international design trends into local projects. This collaboration has been crucial to overcoming Japan’s skilled labour shortage by tapping into Meinhardt’s global talent pool, ensuring projects are delivered on time and to the highest quality standards. The event also provided an opportunity for Meinhardt Japan to share its vision for the future.

 

“We are proud of our cross-border design collaboration. This approach has enabled us to work on projects like the US and UK pavilions for the Osaka Expo 2025, which not only showcases our technical capabilities but also highlights the strength of our international partnerships. Looking ahead, Meinhardt Japan plans to expand its services in key industrial sectors, including data centres, where the company has already begun taking on substantial projects for major players. Additionally, Meinhardt Japan is extending its services locally to include façade design  & testing and commissioning, while supporting Japanese companies in their overseas ventures by providing comprehensive design and on-site engineering solutions,” said Mr Kazuhiko Ono,  CEO for Meinhardt Japan.

 

“In alignment with Meinhardt Group’s recognition as a Centre of Excellence for smart cities in Singapore, Meinhardt Japan is committed to merging Singapore’s smart city frameworks with  Japan’s technological prowess. This collaboration will pave the way for new benchmarks in urban development and create opportunities for innovative, data-driven solutions in third countries,” he added.

 

Beyond the celebrations, the visit of several Meinhardt Group leaders to Tokyo was a golden opportunity to host a series of meetings with key clients, industry partners, and government officials. These interactions were essential in promoting collaboration on both domestic and international projects, allowing the company to strengthen its relationships with key stakeholders.

 

The third-anniversary celebration of Meinhardt Japan was a resounding success in successfully conveying Meinhardt Group’s strong presence both in Japan and globally while showcasing the impressive growth of Meinhardt Japan in just a few years. With a clear focus on digital transformation, cross-border collaboration, and sustainable urban development, Meinhardt Japan is well-positioned to continue driving innovation and delivering world-class engineering solutions for its clients.

 

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DFA Awards 2024: Asia’s Creative Luminaries Shine

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Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) is pleased to announce the esteemed laureates of the DFA Awards 2024, celebrating the innovative spirit and profound impact of design across Asia. This year, DFA Awards introduced an exciting new accolade, the DFA Designer of the Year, marking a significant milestone in recognising creative leaders based in Asia.

 

Created by the renowned designer Alan Chan, the striking new trophy design for this esteemed award embodies Alan’s signature East-meets-West aesthetic which features a prominent “d” logo and the number “1” to serve as the focal points, elegantly representing the award’s prestigious identity.

 

Launched in 2003 with the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) as the lead sponsor, formerly known as Create Hong Kong, the DFA Awards honours extraordinary individuals and projects that have made a lasting impact on the design landscape, particularly in Asia by a series of award programmes.

 

The 2024 awardees include – Kengo KUMA, DFA Lifetime Achievement Award (DFA LAA); Kikuo IBE, DFA Design Leadership Award (DFA DLA); Tino KWAN, DFA World’s Outstanding Chinese Designer (DFA WOCD) and Eisuke TACHIKAWA, DFA Designer of the Year (DFA DOY), each representing the pinnacle of design excellence and innovation.

 

Prof. Eric YIM, Chairman of HKDC said, “This year’s DFA Awards laureates have demonstrated how design transcends aesthetics to become a powerful tool for societal change. Their work not only inspires us but also challenges us to think deeply about the role of design in addressing global issues. I extend my warmest congratulations to each winner, whose visionary contributions are paving the way for a more sustainable and connected world. This year, we are thrilled to introduce the DFA Designer of the Year, which recognises individuals who are leading the charge in harnessing design to solve the complex social challenges of our time. This award highlights not only the individual achievements but also the richness of the innovative cultural perspectives that the Asian-based designers has brought to the design landscape.”

 

DFA Lifetime Achievement Award 2024 (DFA LAA)

 

Kengo KUMA

Founder, Kengo Kuma & Associates (pictured, top left. Photo Credit: ©Designhouse)

 

Kengo Kuma, a world-renowned architect, has made an indelible impact in the field of architecture by redefining the relationship between nature, technology, and humanity. Since the founding of Kengo Kuma & Associates in 1990, Kuma has brought his vision of blending architecture and its environment seamlessly to life. Kuma’s design philosophy, which prioritises natural materials and human-scaled spaces, can be seen in some of the world’s most iconic structures.

 

He is an Honorary Professor at the University of Tokyo, and taught at prestigious institutions like Keio University. Kuma continues to share his knowledge with future generations of architects. His philosophy integrates traditional Japanese aesthetics with cutting-edge technology, creating architecture that is both grounded and forward-thinking. Kuma’s influential body of work includes notable publications such as “Onomatopoeia Architecture Grounding”, “Natural Architecture”, and “Small Architecture”.

 

The DFA Lifetime Achievement Award 2024 celebrates Kengo Kuma’s pioneering vision and his profound contributions to the world of spatial design. His talent for blending natural materials with modern design principles offers a new perspective on how we engage with our surroundings, fostering a deeper connection between people and the environment.

 

DFA Design Leadership Award 2024 (DFA DLA)

 

Kikuo IBE

Timepiece Business Unit Senior Fellow, CASIO COMPUTER CO. LTD. (pictured, top right)

 

Kikuo Ibe, known as the “Father of G-SHOCK”, successfully developed and commercialised G-SHOCK in 1981, has revolutionised the watch industry with his groundbreaking creation of G-SHOCK, a shock-resistant watch that has become an icon of durability and style that would withstand impacts and continue to function perfectly even if dropped.

 

Ibe’s relentless pursuit of durability did not stop there. In 1994, he initiated the creation of a full metal G-SHOCK, the MR-G model, which was released later. His creativity continued to push boundaries, leading to the launch of the DREAM PROJECT in 2016, which culminated in the creation of the 18K-GOLD G-SHOCK in 2018 to celebrate its 35th anniversary of the G-SHOCK line. The limited run of 35 units was sold out by reservation. Now more than 1,000 CASIO shops around the world sell G-SHOCK products, and G-SHOCK has sold a total of 100 million pieces worldwide, which is registered as an important historical resource for science and technology, further acknowledging his contributions to global cultural development.

 

The DFA Design Leadership Award 2024 celebrates Kikuo Ibe’s extraordinary contributions to the design world, recognising his relentless pursuit of innovation and resilience, and his lasting impact on global trends and product design.

 

DFA World’s Outstanding Chinese Designer 2024 (DFA WOCD)

 

Tino KWAN

Principal Consultant, Tino Kwan Lighting Consultants (pictured, bottom left)

 

Tino Kwan, one of the world’s most celebrated lighting designers, has been a trailblazer in the field for over 45 years. His illustrious career began when he founded Tino Kwan Lighting Consultants in London in 1979, and his work around many countries on commercial buildings, yachts, luxury star-rated hotels, casinos, Michelin restaurants and mansions.

 

Tino Kwan’s influence extends beyond design as he actively shares his experience through lectures at design institutes such as Tsinghua University. His accolades include the Top 10 Designers Award from China National Interior Decoration Association (CIDA), awarded by China Illuminating Engineering Society (CIES), awards from Illuminating Engineering Institute of Japan (IEIJ) and Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), and his induction into Interior Design China’s Hall of Fame, reflecting his lasting impact on the design industry.

 

The DFA World’s Outstanding Chinese Designer 2024 celebrates Tino Kwan for his pioneering approach to lighting design and his efforts to nurture future talent. His ability to transform spaces with light has made him an industry icon, continuously expanding the limits of how we experience the environment.

 

DFA Designer of the Year 2024 (DFA DOY)

 

Eisuke TACHIKAWA

Founder and CEO, NOSIGNER (pictured, bottom right)

 

Eisuke Tachikawa, the founder of NOSIGNER, is a design visionary dedicated to addressing global social issues such as climate change and disaster prevention through his work. His concept of “Evolutional Creativity”, which draws parallels between biological evolution and the creative process, has garnered him over 100 design awards, including two DFA Grand Awards.

 

Since 2021, Tachikawa has served as the youngest President of the Japan Industrial Design Association (JIDA) and was elected to the board of the World Design Organization (WDO) in 2023. He has been instrumental in redefining the role of design in solving real-world problems. His notable projects include Japan pavilion at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka and “DESIGNS FOR THE NEXT 100YEARS” further showcases his commitment to creating positive social impact. His publications, “Evolutional Creativity” and “Design and Innovation”, highlight his thoughts on leadership in sustainable design.

 

The DFA Designer of the Year 2024 honours Eisuke Tachikawa for his innovative approach to design as a tool for societal change. His work challenges conventional thinking, offering hope and solutions for a better, more sustainable future.

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TK Elevator Enhances Sydney Metro City Line

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TK Elevator (TKE) recently announced another prominent infrastructure project as the technology and service provider for the newly inaugurated Sydney Metro City Line, one of Australia’s biggest public transport initiatives. Featuring 190 new TKE elevator and escalator units, the landmark project is set to revolutionise how commuters travel across Sydney.

 

The Sydney Metro City Line officially opened on 19 August 2024, seeing remarkable success with roughly 200,000 passenger journeys daily. The metro program, which includes the operational M1 line with three additional lines under construction, seeks to enhance efficiency throughout Australia’s biggest city, offering fast, reliable metro services with fully accessible stations. TK Elevator’s mobility solutions support this objective by providing essential connectivity in the ‘last mile’ of passengers’ journeys, allowing them to easily transition from the train to their final destinations.

 

All TKE units, and additional third-party units, will be supported by TK Elevator’s Universal Service platform which offers comprehensive service for timely maintenance, inspections, and repairs. This provides a complete solution for Sydney Metro, further enhancing the seamless passenger experience.

 

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“TK Elevator is excited to be a part of this transformative project in Australia,” said Jürgen Böhler, CEO Asia Pacific at TK Elevator. “Our advanced mobility solutions play a pivotal role in prioritising passenger safety and efficiency for metros and railway operators around the world. This proven track record allows us to make a real difference to the Sydney Metro City Line, highlighting our commitment to improving public transport.”

 

“We are proud to continue our longstanding partnership with Sydney Metro and strengthen our industry leadership in the Australian market,” said David Husoy, Managing Director at TK Elevator Australia. “We remain dedicated to serving all our customers and the country’s general public, invigorated by our pledge to keep the world moving.”

 

The Sydney Metro City Line installation adds to TKE elevators and escalators serving top metro stations, airports, trains, and urban transportation hubs worldwide. TK Elevator will continue to contribute to this prominent project as Sydney Metro expands further in 2025. The company will help ensure reliable and efficient mobility with newly installed and modernised equipment at the upcoming Southwest Line stations, acting as an integral piece in Sydney’s evolving transport landscape and strengthening TKE’s position as a leader in mobility products and services throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

 

 

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Shenzhen China Wins the World Smart City Award

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Shenzhen stood out from 429 candidate cities from 64 countries and regions to win the World Smart City Award at the 2024 Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC) in Barcelona, demonstrating China’s extraordinary strength and potential in building smart cities.

 

Centred on the theme of “building a new smart city benchmark, making city smarter and life better“, the “comprehensive solution for building a smart city” by Shenzhen integrates the city’s people-oriented concept of smart city construction and provides several highlight cases.

 

The jury committee believes that Shenzhen has comprehensively demonstrated its innovative solutions in key areas such as enabling technology, transportation, energy and environment, governance, industry and economy, livability and inclusiveness, infrastructure and construction, and created an intelligent and humanistic digitised city by its unique urban philosophy, foundation and landscape.

 

Concerning urban governance, Shenzhen has preliminarily built up the digital twin base for the city area, which combines nearly 10,000 BIM refined models of major buildings, forming the digital twin data system covering three primary categories (urban basic space, management targets and IoT perception) and 25 subdivisions, and offers 4,000+ data services.

 

The city has created 200+ digital twin application scenarios including one graph for urban water management, one graph for power charge, storage and discharge, planning and design of the 5th-phase rail transit, and promoted the application of digital twins in urban areas like Houhai, Xiangmihu and Guangming Science City.

 

For example, by creating applications for urban flood prevention and relying upon the graph for urban water management, flood disaster risk model and contingency plans for different working conditions, Shenzhen utilises 3D models to simulate floods in key districts and analysis of affected areas, reinforce the accuracy of identifying water-logging risks and explore new paths of addressing the issue.

 

The Xiangmihu digital twin comprehensive application depends on high rendering capability to visually present complex surface and underground space planning, assists in digital decisions such as city silhouette review and urban landscape design, and advances the establishment of a lifecycle digital twin management model of key districts including planning, design, construction and operation.

 

 

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Capella Hotels and Resorts Set to Launch Bespoke Luxury in Seoul

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In another step forward for luxury hospitality in Seoul, Capella Hotel Group is delighted to announce its partnership with Heonin Town Development Ltd. This partnership will bring to life Capella  Residences Seoul in 2027 – a visionary project that marks Capella Hotels and Resorts’ entry into the vibrant capital city of South Korea.

 

The upcoming Capella Residences Seoul will offer an exclusive collection of residences. This project will not just be about creating homes; it will be about crafting a lifestyle that will redefine luxury living in Seoul.

 

Capella Hotels and Resorts, twice winner of Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Hotel Brand (2023 and 2024), will weave its magic in the lush Seocho-gu area of Gangnam. With flagship properties already recognised among the  World’s 50 Best Hotels, Capella promises to uplift Seoul’s luxury hospitality landscape, bringing its signature blend of cultural immersion and extraordinary experiences to this dynamic destination.

 

Lynn Woo, Heonin Town Development Ltd representative, shared her excitement: “Our vision is to introduce an unparalleled living experience curated by a world-class brand in one of the most unique and stunning environments in Seoul. We are excited about Capella’s arrival, which will elevate a new benchmark for luxury  living in South Korea.”

 

Imagine a haven where the pulse of urban innovation harmonises with the serenity of nature – this is the essence of Seocho-gu, Seoul’s verdant gem. Known for its seamless fusion of cutting-edge offices, cultural landmarks, and lush greenery, this district perfectly embodies Capella’s core philosophy to honour local heritage while redefining luxury.

 

Cristiano Rinaldi, President of Capella Hotel Group, shared his vision: “Seoul’s transformation over the past few decades has been nothing short of incredible. It’s a city where cutting-edge innovation and rich traditions coexist in fascinating ways – much like our brand ethos. We are thrilled to partner with Heonin Town Development Ltd to launch Capella Residences Seoul, which will strengthen our luxury residences portfolio following successes in Singapore and Shanghai. We are not just offering a place to live; we are crafting a lifestyle experience that will  surprise, delight, and redefine luxury living in South Korea.”

 

Lynn Woo continued, “As we embark on this exciting journey in Seoul with Capella Hotels and Resorts, we invite residents and visitors alike to be part of a new era in luxury hospitality—one that celebrates the unique spirit of  South Korea while offering a global standard of excellence. Capella Residences Seoul is not simply a residence; it is a gateway to a world where every moment is curated, every detail is perfected, and every stay becomes an unforgettable story.”

 

 

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Planon Software Shares Why Combining Objective-based Management with Predictive Maintenance is Vital in Securing Long-term Real Estate Value

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Whether you are responsible for a new state-of-the-art building or a twenty-year-old one, maintenance is crucial to preserving the value of your investment. Imagine constantly dealing with unexpected equipment failures and tenant complaints. These issues not only lead to high repair costs but also frequent dissatisfaction among tenants, which can tarnish your reputation and affect your bottom line.

 

Unpredictable maintenance makes budgeting difficult and achieving tenant satisfaction much harder. Additionally, it can make your goal of achieving sustainability and reducing energy use and costs seem increasingly unattainable. What you need is a maintenance strategy that will help you anticipate and prevent issues before they spiral out of control.

 

Break down siloes for better facility management

One effective way of approaching these challenges is to combine an Objective-Based Asset and Maintenance Management strategy with predictive maintenance-driven activities. This combination transforms maintenance processes, boosting real estate valuations and helping you achieve goals such as improved tenant comfort and satisfaction, better building experiences, and improved brand perception through better sustainability performance.

 

Achieving these outcomes starts with implementing an Objective-Based Asset and Maintenance Management strategy. This increases collaboration across your different facility teams by ensuring everyone is working towards the same goal with the same information. Siloed teams often struggle with misaligned priorities and fragmented information. By embracing objective-based maintenance, you can increase collaboration and create a more harmonious and efficient work environment.

 

Typically, a maintenance manager is focused on immediate repairs and minimising downtime; the sustainability manager prioritises reducing energy consumption and costs; and the facility manager aims to enhance tenant comfort and experience. But, imagine this scenario. Due to misaligned priorities and fragmented information:

  • A maintenance manager needs to replace an HVAC system urgently to prevent operational disruptions and select a standard, low-cost model from a preferred provider.
  • A sustainability manager has identified an energy-efficient HVAC system that will significantly reduce energy consumption but hasn’t communicated this to the maintenance team.
  • A facility manager wants to ensure any new system improves air quality and comfort but hasn’t communicated this to the maintenance manager.

 

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Aligning objectives and communication across these teams will result in a much better outcome. When all team members are working together with clear communication about organisational objectives, they can enhance the overall performance and value of your real estate assets.

Accelerate results with predictive maintenance

Implementing predictive maintenance-driven activities will improve your team’s performance and ability to meet shared objectives. Research shows that predictive maintenance can reduce maintenance costs by up to 30 percent and asset downtime by up to 45 percent. This proactive approach allows you to address potential issues before they become major problems, ensuring smoother operations and happier tenants.

 

Additional benefits of combining an objective-based asset and maintenance management strategy with predictive-driven activities include:

  • Enabling your facility manager to anticipate and better manage tenant comfort, security, and experience needs.
  • Enabling your sustainability manager to proactively communicate opportunities to reduce energy consumption and costs for better sustainability performance.
  • Enabling your maintenance manager to increase real estate asset return on investments, while lowering operational costs.

 

Having accurate, real-time data is a prerequisite for effective predictive maintenance. This is achieved through use of IoT-based connected platforms, which provide real-time data for more informed decision-making processes. Building managers and service providers can use IoT devices to collect data on factors such as energy consumption, equipment performance, and temperature to quickly identify and correct rising issues.

 

In the e-book ‘Facility Management and Sustainability: A Fundamental Alliance’, Planon and Schneider Electric find that the ability to align team objectives, predict future needs, and generate actionable insights allows for a more sustainable and strategic approach to maintenance and facility management. This leads to better-managed facilities, longer asset life cycles, reduced CAPEX and higher satisfaction among building occupants. Your facility and maintenance teams can transition from being seen as a cost centre to being recognised as true contributors of value for your organisation.

Secure the value of your real estate

Property owners must invest in strategic initiatives such as Objective-Based maintenance – the time to improve, secure, and protect the value of existing building stock is now.

 

In its 2024 CMMS MarketScape, analyst firm IDC finds that the integration of advanced IoT-based connected platforms for predictive maintenance is integral for the future of asset and maintenance management. These technologies, such as those provided by Planon, enable organisations to translate objectives into actions, driving significant improvements in operational efficiency, cost savings, and building performance.

 

Ultimately, the integration of these technologies and strategies creates a more cohesive and efficient approach to asset and maintenance management. This results in sustainably maintained facilities, higher stakeholder satisfaction, and stronger real estate valuations.

 

 

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Winners of the Singapore Interior Design Award (SIDA) 2024 Announced

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The Singapore Interior Design Award (SIDA) 2024 celebrated the pinnacle of spatial and interior design excellence at the awards Gala Dinner held on 8 November 2024 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, attended by Guest-of-Honour Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Finance and National Development, with over 500 guests from design, architecture, and the built environment business sectors.

 

Presented by the Society of Interior Designers Singapore (SIDS), SIDA is an annual competition aimed at recognising exceptional projects and practitioners in the design industry worldwide. The award also features a dedicated category for Singapore-based designers – Luminary – one of the highest levels of recognition in Singapore, honouring designers who have significantly impacted the industry.

 

In its 8th edition, SIDA 2024 had received almost 700 submission entries from 12 countries. Submissions from Singapore made up a significant share of the submissions with 492 entries, with Malaysia and China trailing. This year also saw new submissions from Cambodia and the United Kingdom, an exciting observation which underlines SIDA’s nascent reach outside Singapore. A total of 107 participants from 8 nations were honoured with the SIDA 2024. United by a strong design know-how and diverse experiences, the jury panel for SIDA 2024 is made up of internationally renowned experts, creatives, and industry leaders in the fields of design, architecture, and hospitality.

 

Brandon Fee, Chairman of SIDA 2024, is heartened: “Since its inception in 2017, SIDA has grown from a platform dedicated to spotlighting Singapore-based designers to a highly respected regional competition that sets the bar for design excellence across Asia. Each year, our finalists represent a dynamic blend of experienced professionals and emerging talents, illustrating that SIDA’s design-centric criteria ensure a level playing field for all, regardless of project scale or budget.”

 

Winners and highlights include:

  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Simon Ong, Kingsmen Creatives (Singapore)
  • Designer of the Year: Averse Yau, A Blue Cube Design (Singapore)
  • Young Designer of the Year: Dickson Phoon, Twothree Design (Singapore)
  • Best Design Firm of the Year: Super Assembly (Singapore)
  • Design Educator of the Year: Ho Sock Yee, Temasek Polytechnic (Singapore)
  • Design of the Year: EDL Regional Headquarters, Gwen Tan, The Afternaut Group (Singapore)

 

As the world of interior design continues to grow and evolve, SIDA offers a valuable platform for showcasing creativity, skill, and innovation. The competition not only brings attention to talented designers but also shines the spotlight on young designer students seeking to join the profession through SIDA Youth Category. In alignment with its commitment to nurturing emerging talent, the award has expanded to include the inaugural SIDA Youth Excellence Award, an annual bursary programme recognising three students enrolled in local Institute of Higher Learnings (IHLs) with S$3,000 each.

 

Tung Ching Yew, President of the Society of Interior Designers Singapore, adds: “As Singapore’s leading professional body for the industry, the Society aims to position itself as a vital pillar of quality and credibility. One of our proudest milestones is achieving this through SIDA where we recognise not only veteran practitioners but also aspiring design students who will be the next generation of design leaders.”

 

2024 also marks the Society’s 30th anniversary. As Singapore’s leading professional body for the industry, SIDS endeavours to shape the future of the industry, profession and design. During the Gala Dinner, Tung shared significant milestones the Society has achieved over the last three decades and current challenges the industry is facing.

 

Addressing the recent spate of negative renovation-related news, the Society will be embarking on an awareness campaign for Singapore Interior Designers Accreditation Scheme (SIDAS) to educate homeowners and project owners on the importance of hiring accredited professionals who adhere to the highest standards in design, ethics, and safety.

 

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​​JLL Joins World Green Building Council’s Expanding APAC Network

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JLL has announced that it has joined the World Green Building Council’s (WorldGBC) Asia Pacific Regional Network (APN). The APN Is led by 17 Green Building Councils (GBCs) and three regional partners, representing a region home to over 60% of the world’s population and expected to contribute to over 50 percent of global GDP growth in the coming decades.

 

The announcement is reinforced by the region’s position at the forefront of adopting green building practices, with several countries implementing stringent green building codes and standards. However, the region is also vulnerable to the impacts of climate change; rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and biodiversity loss are amongst the many challenges faced.

 

The dual drivers of high adoption of green building practices and the impact of climate change will likely ensure that the region is a critical focus for climate resilience initiatives. For JLL, the APN brings opportunities to address the climate crisis at both a local and global scale and from an economic perspective, supporting the region’s ambitions as a key hub in global manufacturing and supply chains,

 

“There is no bigger conversation within the built environment than sustainability actions, initiatives and strategies. Our clients are proactively working towards net zero carbon targets and demanding more from us as advisors. This platform will be boosted hugely with our closer linkage with the World GBC,” said Lili Tao, Managing Director, South East Asia, Project and Development Services (PDS), JLL (pictured above).

 

“We are thrilled to welcome JLL as a Regional Partner. Their collaboration further strengthens our commitment to advancing sustainable built environments across the network and beyond. The Asia Pacific region is pivotal in shaping the future of global sustainability. With JLL’s expertise and leadership in real estate, we are confident that by working together, we can drive meaningful change to ensure that our built environments support, and actively contribute to, a sustainable future, for our region and the world,” said Joy Gai, Strategic Partnership Lead and Asia Head, WorldGBC.

 

 

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Four dormakaba Solutions Receive Awards

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At this year’s ICONIC AWARDS 2024: Innovative Architecture, no fewer than four dormakaba solutions have been awarded as winners in three categories: the new generation of terminals for time recording and the new, digital high-security safe lock series, Axessor APEXX IP, in the “Product- Building Technologies” category, the automatic door system MotionIQ in the “Energy Solutions” category and skyra, which is the cloud-based access solution in the “Product Special” category.

 

“We are delighted and proud to have received four awards in this neutral, international architecture and design competition. These prizes further strengthen our reputation as a design-oriented company and are a sign of recognition for creative product development and innovation. They motivate our employees to continue developing products of the highest quality,” emphasises Torsten Stolte, Managing Director of dormakaba Deutschland GmbH.

 

The new dormakaba terminals 96 00 and 98 00 of the new terminal generation for time recording support individual working time models, meet the specific needs of employers and are designed to adapt to different requirements and display designs. The terminals are flexible, future-proof, easy to integrate and sustainable.

 

The intelligent Motion IQ door system for automatic doors significantly improves a building’s energy balance while reducing operating costs, facilitating barrier-free access to the building and optimising the safe use of automatic doors. The new system only opens the door when necessary and closes it immediately after passage, as MotionIQ calculates the ideal opening time and the time the door remains open.

 

The smart on-demand solution skyra ensures safe and easy access to distributed critical infrastructure sites. The skyra portfolio includes a variety of locking cylinder designs for every locking situation and a rechargeable key that communicates access rights and locking information with the cloud service via the mobile app.

 

The new digital safe lock series “Axessor APEXX IP” sets new, significant benchmarks and standards in the field of safe locks and provides a networkable, contemporary multi-lock application. In connection with the administration and networking platform, the safe locks can be securely managed and programmed remotely. It is ideal for all companies that require the efficiency and convenience of a networked and unified safe lock solution that meets the highest security standards.

 

At the awards ceremony in Munich on 8 October 2024, the special prize in the “Architects of the Year”  category, sponsored by dormakaba, went to Tatiana Bilbao Estudio from Mexico.

 

“Tatiana Bilbao’s Mexican architecture studio sees architecture as a tool for improving social situations. I am impressed how local conditions are masterfully translated into striking architectural gestures,” explained Bernhard Heitz, Strategic Product Design dormakaba, at the awards ceremony.

 

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Cheng Chung Design unveils APAC Headquarters in Singapore

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Luxury interior design firm Cheng Chung Design (CCD) expands its global footprint with the opening of its Singapore office which will also double up as its Asia Pacific headquarters outside Greater China. The headquarters occupies Level 25 of Collyer Quay Centre located in the Central Business District.

 

The opening of CCD’s office in Singapore marks yet another significant milestone for the hospitality giant, which just celebrated its 30th anniversary in a grand celebration during Salone del Mobile in Milan,  Italy, earlier this year.

 

On choosing Singapore as CCD’s APAC headquarters, founder Joe Cheng, says, “Our plan to open an office in Singapore has been a long time coming. As a gateway to Southeast East Asia and the rest of  Asia Pacific, Singapore is an ideal launchpad to introduce CCD’s design ethos and redefine the luxury design landscape in this region that is seeing the biggest growths in the sector. We hope to strengthen  our foothold in this part of the world and impart our expertise to cultivate a team of true design innovators that carry forward our spirit of pursuing excellence and quality in every creation.”

 

Embodying CCD’s design principles of art, humanism, efficiency, and warmth, the Singapore office reimagines the traditional workspace that harmoniously integrates work and life with design, art and biophilic elements. The workspace embraces CCD’s “de-office” design concept seen in its Shenzhen and Shanghai headquarters which transcends the ordinary with the aim of focusing on the emotional needs of its employees to build meaningful connections and expand their imagination.

 

A brainchild of Cheng, the workspace not only provides aesthetic enjoyment but also provides a way of life and a sense of ritual which reinforces a sense of belonging and promotes employee engagement amid the rise of hybrid work models. Complete with a book bar, kitchen, coffee shop, landscape gallery and art room, the open and diversified space allows employees to break away from the constraints of a conventional office. The office also pays homage to Southeast Asian cultural attributes and contemporary craftsmanship, integrating ethnic materials such as bamboo and rattan that add layers to the design narrative.

 

Making its move into Singapore, the initial elite team of 30 design experts in Singapore will be led by CCD Senior Vice President, Aldwin Ong. With extensive experiences and varying senior roles at internationally renowned design firms, Ong brings rich narratives to projects of diverse scales and styles across Asia Pacific and beyond.