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Cosentino City Singapore reopens in The Heart at Marina One

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Cosentino City Singapore Entrance

Cosentino Group, leading global Spanish company in the  production of innovative and sustainable surfaces for architecture and design, reveals  its newly-renovated showroom, Cosentino City Singapore, in a new location in The  Heart at Marina One, the epicentre of the nation’s Central Business District. 

This City, with a total investment of SGD 1.8 million, marks a new beginning for Cosentino in its business expansion in Asia-Pacific (APAC) since its entry in 2014, with  its first showroom located along Duxton Road. Coupled with the company’s regional  logistic centre located in Gul Avenue, Singapore now serves as the headquarters and  business hub for the APAC region, representing a major strategic move to drive the  growth of one the world’s leading architectural surface companies in some of the  fastest growing markets in the world. Cosentino now boasts 19 “Cities” across five  continents, with another City also opening in the end of April in Tokyo, Japan.  

“Singapore is vital to our commercial and distribution network in the APAC region  where we are witnessing record breaking growth. We are truly excited with the  unveiling of the new Cosentino City Singapore in the bustling CBD to cater to our  growing portfolio of partners and customers,” quips Pilar Martínez-Cosentino on the  reopening of Cosentino City Singapore. 

The reopening of Cosentino City Singapore also highlights and celebrates key  milestones the company has achieved in innovation, sustainability and the reduction of  carbon footprint during a period marked by the Covid-19 pandemic. Over the past two years, Cosentino has successfully produced more sustainable products that are more  environmentally friendly. Silestone® with HybriQ® Technology is now created with zero  water wastage and a higher percentage of premium recycled minerals, while Dekton®  has achieved full carbon neutrality. As with all Cosentino products, they are made with  99% recycled water and 100% renewable electric energy.  

The 4,000 square-foot state-of-the-art showroom forms an expansion of the revamped  next-generation “Cosentino City” concept globally, where highly immersive digital tools  transform the showroom experience into a holistic design hub. Design and architecture  professionals, as well as end consumers can experiment, innovate and find inspiration  with various Cosentino cutting-edge materials. It also serves as a meeting and working  point for architects and designers. 

Designed by the Cosentino City design team in Spain, the garden-inspired showroom consists of multiple areas featuring Silestone®, Dekton® and Sensa® brands. The  impressive 10-meter-tall ceiling height gives depth to the space and allows for a  showcase of various indoor and outdoor application such as wall cladding and façade applications. The space also includes multipurpose and open-plan areas for workshops  and events. 

With the relaunch of the new City , Singapore is also piloting the launch of a global  initiative, C-TOP Design, an inspiring programme aimed at the design professionals to  support them at all stages of their creative process through online and offline tools. C TOP Design encourages meetings in the City with access to a dedicated team for  personalised advice service. Through C-TOP Digital web platform, design professionals  can gain access to a multitude of resources including exclusive colours for members,  special rates, technical information on Cosentino products, create mood boards,  requesting samples which will be delivered within 48 hours and showcasing their  projects with C-TOP Design global community. 

“Cosentino City Singapore is an engaging space where we build a community by  engaging our partners and customers at a personal level. It is a space where brilliant  design minds share the latest trends, tastes and knowledge, which also helps us gain  insights to continue innovating and staying ahead of our competitors,” says Celine See,  Showroom Manager of Cosentino City Singapore. 

The Atelier  

Cosentino City Singapore The Atelier

Designed as a workshop with a vast library of locally and globally-sourced materials,  this space is where architects, designers and end consumers can find inspiration and  develop their projects from start to finish. The impressive library not only consists of  Cosentino surfaces, but ranges from wallpapers, books, fabrics, tiles, lighting, etc,  where visitors can experiment creating their own mood boards to suit their design  styles.   

Material & Application Galleries  

 

Cosentino City Singapore is the first City to showcase Dekton® ultra-slim wall cladding  application with a thickness of mere 4 millimeters and a height of 6.25m. The galleries  feature examples of various applications of Cosentino materials, from flooring to  ventilated façade, and from kitchen to bath.

Digital Experiential Centre  

 

Among the revamped elements of the new City concept is the augmented reality (AR)  digital experience area where visitors can experiment with different colour and  material selection for their upcoming projects.  

Fully Equipped Kitchen  

The City features a fully equipped and functioning Dekton Laurent kitchen that will  cater to cooking demonstrations and networking events, providing an essential  reference on how the kitchen can be designed for work, leisure and relaxation.  

Cosentino City Singapore is located at 5 Straits View, Marina One The Heart (West  Tower) #01-16/17, Singapore 018935. It is open from Monday to Friday from 10am to  7pm, and from 10am to 5pm on Saturday. The City is closed on Sunday and public  holidays. For enquiries, visitors can contact 6713 9543. 

Cosentino Unveils Seven New Shades in its Silestone and Sensa Ranges in Singapore

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Cosentino Group, the world leader in the production and distribution of innovative surfaces for architecture and design, is pleased to announce the Singapore launch of its newest colours in its Silestone® and Sensa® ranges.

In total, seven new colours will be available in Singapore from today onwards; five from the Silestone® Eternal Collection, and two from the Sensa by Cosentino® Protected Natural Stone range.

The five new colours of the luminary Silestone® Eternal Collection are the Bianco Calacatta, Classic Calacatta, Desert Silver, Eternal Emperador, and Eternal Marfil.

The Eternal Collection is the first in Silestone’s offerings to have veining and highlights run completely through the material, making for an unparalleled natural beauty coupled with Silestone’s industry-leading performance, thanks to the Silestone® N-Boost technology.

This innovation, which has been patented by Cosentino, modifies the material’s surface at a molecular level to give it greater color saturation and extraordinary lustre, along with an enhanced water repellent property that makes the surface easier to clean and maintain.

As with all Silestone® natural quartz products, the Eternal Collection includes the notable characteristics that set the brand apart: high resistance to impact and scratching; manufactured in large formats; and versatility of application. Please see Annex A for the new Silestone® Eternal Collection shades.

“Cosentino’s investment in R&D to develop the complex, full body designs of the Silestone® Eternal Collection, has received wide recognition by consumers, architects and designers alike. We are delighted to present now these new Eternal colors and we look forward to the collection’s continued success in 2018,” says Valentin Tijeras, Vice-President of Global Product and R&D, Cosentino.

Cosentino also adds two exotic new Brazilian quartzite colours to its Sensa by Cosentino® Protected Natural Stone range. The two new shades, Taj Mahal and White Macaubas, join the Sensa Premium range and feature the exclusive Senguard NK stain protection.

These two new surfaces are the first quartzites to join the Sensa by Cosentino® range. Quartzite is a very hard metamorphic rock that is composed almost entirely of quartz and is the perfect substitute for a natural stone that is more durable and hardwearing than traditional marbles, whilst offering a similar look.

Sensa surfaces offer an excellent level of stain protection, including against acidic substances commonly found in household kitchens, with no need for special daily maintenance. Anchored to the surface of the stone, the Senguard NK stain protection technology also offers the surface of the countertop UV resistance, allowing the natural stone surfaces to be used inside and out whilst still allowing the stone to breathe and preserve its natural colour. The new surfaces are also safe for contact with food thanks to their NSF certification. Please see Annex B for the new Sensa by Cosentino® shades.

The seven new shades were unveiled in Singapore on 17 August at an exclusive launch party held at Cosentino City Centre showroom. Over 100 guests from the media and design industry were in for a treat at the event with the theme “Brazilian Summer Nights”, alluding to the exotic new Brazilian quartzites in the Sensa by Cosentino® that were being launched that night in addition to the new shades in the Silestone® Eternal Collection.

The new shades of the Silestone® Eternal Collection were mounted on the walls of the Cosentino City Centre showroom, for the guests to view and feel for themselves. One of the kitchen countertops in the Cosentino showroom was also replaced with a countertop made from Sensa® in the shade of Macaubas so that guests could see how the surface looks like on an actual kitchen top. Additionally, an ornamental flower pot made from the new Sensa® shade of Taj Mahal was on display to show the versatility and beauty of the two colours.

Newly appointed General Manager of Cosentino Southeast Asia, Pablo Abad Gomez enthuses, “With the launch of at least a dozen new shades in various collections this year alone in Singapore, Cosentino is cementing its position as a market leader of innovative surfaces in Southeast Asia. We look forward to shaping and growing the industry in the region through collaborations that showcase the uniqueness and versatility of our products beyond the kitchen and bathroom.”

All seven new shades in the Silestone® Eternal and Sensa by Cosentino® collections is now available in Singapore. For more information, please visit www.silestone.com.sg or www.sensabycosentino.com

Thai Designer Wins Dream Spalet Destination Competition 2018 at The 1st LIXIL Spalet Iconic Tour 2018

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LIXIL, a maker of pioneering water and housing products, has appointed the Grande Centre Point Sukhumvit 55 in Bangkok, designed by Mr. Thanawat Sukhaggananda, as the Grand Winner of the DREAM SPALET DESTINATION COMPETITION.

The competition recognises architects and designers who utilised the SPALET – a bidet that merges together the Zen-like SPA experience with the functionalities of a western toilet – in their hospitality projects.

Mr. Thanawat Sukhaggananda, interior designer at the Interior Vision Company Limited, won the first prize for his bathroom design at the Grande Centre Point Sukhumvit 55 in Bangkok. Known as Thailand’s largest Onsen hotel, the pure indulgence at the spa extends to the bathrooms of the hotel rooms and suites.

Inspired by Buddhist philosophy, the restrooms feature American Standard’s Eurozen shower toilet, offering guests a complete personal cleansing experience with spa-like features, much like a personal sanctuary. The experience is not only pleasant for its users, but also for the environment, as the Eurozen’s automatic flushing function can detect the type of flush needed based on the time spent on the toilet, helping save water and reducing the use of tissue paper.

The winner was announced at the gala night of the first-ever LIXIL SPALET ICONIC TOUR, an exclusive gathering of top architects and designers, including the five finalists of the contest, that took place in Nagoya, Japan.

For two days, guests immersed in the world of SPALET in an exclusive itinerary that included a visit to the LIXIL showroom and a stopover at the INAX Museum, where visitors learned about INAX’s unique history as the pioneering brand in SPALET technology.

LIXIL hosted the tour and launched the competition to help more architects and designers derive inspiration on how the SPALET offers limitless possibilities to enrich their hospitality projects in the region.

“This award has encouraged me to develop and take my artwork design to greater heights, I am extremely delighted that the committee has selected my project,” shared the winner of the DREAM SPALET DESTINATION COMPETITION, Mr. Thanawat Sukhaggananda. “My intention was to create an outstanding experience for the users, including comfort, sanitation and water conservation. Today, toilets are not used for cleaning purposes only, water also provides relaxation and freshness, so I thought the SPALET was the most suitable choice for the new standards in the region.”

Mr. Sitthirat Watcharaporn, General Manager of LIXIL Water Technology added: “SPALET products have been designed with full functionalities of automated fixtures to enable users to have a luxury spa experience. The product perfectly responds to the needs of all users, in terms of comfort, ease of use, and cutting edge technologies.

By introducing the SPALET to more architects and designers and showcasing hospitality projects that made full use of them, LIXIL believes that architects and designers will appreciate how limitless design possibilities are so that more lives stand to be benefited, not just in terms of personal hygiene, but more importantly, for our over-all well-being.”

Click here to learn more about SPALET.

Four Atkins’ Architecture Designs Scoop Asia Pacific Property Awards

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Four Atkins-designed architectural projects were under the spotlight at the Asia Pacific Property Awards 2018. The recently opened Ocean Empire in Xiamen won “Best Hotel Architecture China”, the Huarong Tower in Zhuhai won “Best Mixed-use Architecture China”, the Cocobay Twin Towers in Danang won “Best Commercial High-rise Architecture Vietnam”, and the Belleville Park was honored an award winner in the “Architecture Multiple Residence India” category.

The Asia Pacific Property Awards, as part of the International Property Awards, are the largest, most prestigious, and widely recognised programme throughout the region. They celebrate the highest levels of achievement by companies operating in all sectors of the property and real estate industry. SNC-Lavalin acquired WS Atkins plc on July 3, 2017.

Bertil de Kleynen, Sector Director for architecture, planning, landscape and interiors at SNC-Lavalin’s Atkins Business in Asia Pacific, represented Atkins at the award ceremony in Bangkok. He said: “It’s a great pleasure to receive four prestigious awards on behalf of Atkins’ passionate architects and their endless efforts to design award winning projects that not only enhance value for our clients’ investment but also raise their profile at national and international scale”

Ocean Empire, Huarong Tower and Cocobay Twin Towers are nominated to compete with other national winners for Asia Pacific’s Best. The result will be announced at the International Property Awards ceremony in December 2018.

Atkins is no stranger on the stage of Asia Pacific Property Awards and International Property Awards. The 460-metre supertall Landmark 81 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, was crowned “World’s Best Architecture” at the International Property Awards 2017 held in London. It also picked up “Best International Residential High-rise Architecture

Quality Aussie security grilles installed in Changi Airport

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ATDC’s S07-2- side- by -side retractable security grilles are among the most space efficient commercial door systems currently available on the world market.

The Australian Trellis Door Company (ATDC) has recently participated in a high profile project at Singapore’s Changi Airport newest terminal, Terminal 4 (T4).

Working closely with procurement specialist JEB Asia, ATDC has supplied its unique security grilles to eight tenancies at T4’s Heritage Zone, which showcases Singapore’s local culture and flavour to international passengers. The Heritage Zone in the transit area gives a glimpse into the evolution of shophouse architecture from the 1880s to the 1950s. Part of the job description included installing security grilles that would  complement the  traditional  façade of the pre-war shop houses built before the Second World War-below the shop houses were the retail shops whilst the second and third stories are residential units.There are preserved shop houses still in existence and they are  under heritage conservation in Singapore’s Katong and Chinatown areas. A further requirement was that the security grilles were to occupy as minimal an amount of storage space as was physically possible when unlocked and opened.

With the above objectives in mind, Changi Airport specified ATDC’s S07-2- side- by -side retractable security grilles which are among the most space efficient commercial door systems currently available on the world market. By installing the top tracks of these security grilles in a parallel tandem top track configuration, ATDC was able to offer a lock up solution to its client which occupied a mere 8% of the daylight opening spans of these tenancies. Furthermore, through the use of its seamless up/down locking mechanisms ATDC was able to provide  a lock up solution over considerably wide spans without the need for any cumbersome removable mullions and without the need for any floor tracking to contain these doors. A further requirement was that the locking mechanisms on the security grilles had to be keyable to the specific master keying system at Changi Airport. For further information on ATDC’s S07-2 security grilles visit ATDC’s website at www.trellisdoors.com.au/product/commercial-security/security-screens-and-screen-doors/scissor-doors-s07-2

A special precious silver pearl powdercoated finish is applied to blend in with the general finishes of the immediate surroundings of the Heritage Zone. Standard ATDC stock finishes include pearl white or satin black although any Dulux powdercoat finish can be achieved to match any individual colour scheme.

Special precious silver pearl powdercoated finish

The security grilles we are all customer designed and fabricated  to specific sizes from dimensions that were detailed on architectural and engineering drawings and they were then attached to structural support frames designed in advance by JEB Asia in conjunction with ATDC. The installation was successfully completed and Changi Airport are a very satisfied customer.

ATDC sells its security grilles in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra as well as in all regional areas across Australia including Townsville, Darwin, Hobart, Newcastle and Geelong. ATDC also has a thriving export business with its security grilles now being sold throughout South East Asia and the Asia Pacific region  (including Vietnam, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Indonesia), as well as to the UAE, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. For examples of other international projects which ATDC has participated in please visit ATDC’s website at www.trellisdoors.com.au/export/singapore or see our previous post of its installations for DFS Group.

 

For further information on ATDC’s comprehensive range of quality commercial and industrial security grilles, folding doors, lockable plantation shutters and roller shutters please contact ATDC toll free from anywhere in Australia on 1800657435 or visit ATDC’s website at www.trellisdoors.com.au/products/commercial-security

The Warehouse Hotel Gets New Lease on Life

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A double-volume space greets visitors at the Hotel lobby, complete with the original warehouse trusses.

A double-volume space greets visitors at the Hotel lobby, complete with the original warehouse trusses.

Located along the old Straits of Malacca trade route in Singapore, The Warehouse Hotel boasts an aesthetic that blends the air of a bygone era with modern-day Singapore – featuring exposed ceilings trusses, brickwork walls and mid-century style furniture.

Local architecture studio Zarch Collaboratives and design studio Asylum, commissioned by Singaporean hospitality firm The Lo & Behold Group, chose finishes to reference the industrial history of the building and the culture of the country.

Sited in a conserved building off Robertson Quay, the Warehouse Hotel’s roots extend far back to Singapore’s trading history as early as the late 19th century. Three warehouses have been combined and outfitted, starting a new lease of life as a 37-room boutique hotel.

The Hotel fronts the Singapore River with a distinctive, symmetrical facade and jacked roofs while original design elements like louvre windows, doors, cornices, mouldings and the Chinese characters on the leftmost gable are sensitively retained and restored. These elements have been complemented with restrained touches, including a metallic black canopy on the main entrance. The white facade stands apart from the high glass and steel constructs of the urban context, maintaining its presence and historic importance along the Singapore River.

The rooms are suffused with natural light.

The rooms are suffused with natural light.

A double-volume space greets visitors at the Hotel lobby, with the original warehouse trusses, now re-finished in black spanning the lobby. Natural light filters in through the jack roofs in the daytime, while new portal frames serving as discreet structural interventions fringe the lobby space, providing a clear access and line of sight to the waterfront.

The spatial configuration of the Hotel sets the entryway in the middle of the volumes, while the rooms are split into two wings, with high-ceilinged corridors leading to the double-volume rooms on the second storey. The rooms are suffused with natural light through a combination of the existing fenestration, skylights and the use of glass blocks; the trusses and portal frames are kept in sight throughout the circulation spaces as well as the rooms, puncturing walls and lines of sight, creating a curious spatial dialogue while accentuating the character of the warehouse’s former life.

A new extension complements the strong silhouette of the main wing, housing an elevated infinity pool as if hovering just above the Singapore River, provoking visual interest at the corner of the street. Extending the visual (and tactile) connection to the waterfront, consideration was also given to the selection of finishes surrounding the development including the pavers at street level – selected to match those along the promenade of the Singapore River, and the salmon pink tiles used in the pool – serving as a visual metaphor for the relationship between the pavement and the River.

TCC Group and Frasers Centrepoint to Build US$3.5 Billion Integrated District in Bangkok City Centre

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One Bangkok is the largest private sector property development initiative ever undertaken in Thailand.

One Bangkok is the largest private sector property development initiative ever undertaken in Thailand.

TCC Assets (Thailand) Co., Ltd. and Frasers Centrepoint Limited (“FCL”) will jointly develop ‘One Bangkok’, Thailand’s first and largest fully integrated district built on people-centric principles and a focus on environmental sustainability and smart-city living. Out of the total land area of 16.7 hectares, the project has a generous allocation of 8 hectares of green and open space to the city centre. It promises to become a new global landmark when its first components open in 2021.

The project, called One Bangkok, is the largest private sector property development initiative ever undertaken in Thailand with an estimated investment value of approximately US$3.5 billion. The project promises to become a new global landmark when its first components open in 2021. Mr Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, Chairman of TCC Group and FCL, said, “The fundamental aim in the planning and design of One Bangkok is to enhance Bangkok’s stature as a key gateway city in Asia.”

One Bangkok is a fully integrated “city-within-a-city” district. When all components are completed in 2025, it will have a gross floor area of 1.83 million square metres, comprising five Grade A office towers built to LEED and WELL standards, five luxury and lifestyle hotels, three ultra-luxury residential towers, a comprehensive array of retail offerings within differentiated retail precincts, as well as a rich variety of civic areas, and art and culture facilities.

Eight hectares of its total land area of 16.7 hectares is dedicated to greenery and open spaces. The land is leased from the Crown Property Bureau and enjoys a prime location right next to Bangkok’s largest central park – Lumphini Park – with direct linkages to the city’s mass transit systems, as well as easy access to the expressway network.

An estimated 60,000 people will live and work in the district when complete. Image courtesy of Atchain.

An estimated 60,000 people will live and work in the district when complete. Image courtesy of Atchain.

Mr Charoen said, “We are honoured to be entrusted by the Crown Property Bureau to turn this important plot of land in the heart of the city into a showpiece district. It is a responsibility that I am privileged to carry and I affirm my commitment to ensure the creation of something exceptional and transformational.”

He added, “With One Bangkok, I hope to enhance global confidence in Thailand as the epicentre of ASEAN and a key gateway and lifestyle city in Asia, as well as bring prosperity to all associated with the project, whether as tenants, owners, or business partners.”

“To accomplish this game-changing endeavour, I have placed my confidence in two TCC Group companies that perfectly complement each other, combining the financial strength and local knowhow of TCC Assets with the enormous international property development expertise of Frasers Property,” Mr Charoen noted. He added that One Bangkok ‘s design will be sensitive to its social and cultural context, incorporating Thailand’s heritage, and make the district an integral part of the city. TCC Assets holds 80.1 percent, and Frasers Property Holdings holds 19.9 percent.

One Bangkok is the first project in Thailand to target LEED Platinum certification. for Neighborhood Development. Image courtesy of Atchain.

One Bangkok is the first project in Thailand to target LEED Platinum certification. for Neighborhood Development. Image courtesy of Atchain.

Ms Su Lin Soon, a real estate professional and Chief Executive Officer of One Bangkok, said, “Accessibility, connectivity, and sustainability are top priorities in our urban planning. New quality standards, international best practices and diversity in the mix of uses and architecture are fundamental features of the master plan, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. Supported by local expertise from Plan Associates, and A49, the master plan combines both international and local experiences from the most influential architectural and urban planning firms.”

She added, “One Bangkok will also be the first district in Thailand to be built entirely around sustainability principles and to LEED for Neighbourhood Development Platinum standards.

Laguarda.Low Architects Unveils Designs for Tokyo’s Grandberry Lifestyle Centre

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Laguarda.Low’s design removes an existing street to unify Grandberry Centre with nature.

Laguarda.Low’s design removes an existing street to unify Grandberry Centre with nature.

New York City-based architecture and urban planning firm, Laguarda.Low Architects, recently unveiled the design for Grandberry Centre, a new 750,000-square-foot transit-oriented development in Machida, Tokyo. Set on the city’s Tokyu Denen-tonshi train line, Laguarda.Low designed Grandberry Centre to be the centre of commerce and activity for Machida – a city in the west section of the Tokyo Metropolis.

The new Grandberry Centre development replaces an existing mall and train station and creates a modern, landscaped shopping village with a direct connection to the newly-designed Tsuruma Park. The new train depot, with its undulating roof, tiered gardens, and waterfall, creates a dramatic sense of arrival. From the platform, a grand stair leads visitors to the multi-level shopping Centre experience, inclusive of a local food market, retail stores and a cinema. The retail village is organised as a simple loop, referencing a European town typology, with parking positioned in the Centre. Throughout the loop, visitors traverse a series of open and covered plazas that provide dynamic spaces for socialising, leisure and entertainment.

The buildings are composed of a mix of stone, steel, wood, glass and green walls. The form, scale, and materiality of the buildings were designed to create variation within the development and to blend with the surrounding residential neighbourhood.

The main promenade features lush cherry blossom trees, and a designed new landscape plan with designated spaces for a skate park, urban farm, a sculpture garden and more.

The main promenade features lush cherry blossom trees, and a designed new landscape plan with designated spaces for a skate park, urban farm, a sculpture garden and more.

“Grandberry Centre provides a warm and modern ambience with sophisticated design that enlivens the surrounding neighbourhood for local residents and visitors,” said Pablo Laguarda, Principal of Laguarda.Low. “Its location as an entertainment and lifestyle destination is unique and we look forward to showcasing this development to the Machida community.”

Situated amidst Tsuruma Park, Laguarda.Low’s design removes an existing street to unify Grandberry Centre with nature. To combine the two parcels, a new park entrance transforms the natural slope in grade into a dramatic stair, with the ground rising to create a green roof for a new restaurant at the threshold of the park. The firm also designed the main promenade, which features lush Cherry Blossom trees, and a designed new landscape plan with designated spaces for a skate park, urban farm, sculpture garden, children’s playground, expansive lawn and library.

. Set on the city’s Tokyu Denen-tonshi train line, Grandberry Centre will be the centre of commerce and activity for Machida.

. Set on the city’s Tokyu Denen-tonshi train line, Grandberry Centre will be the centre of commerce and activity for Machida.

Construction of Grandberry Centre will begin in May 2017, with an estimated completion of September 2019. Grandberry Centre is expected to officially open in November 2019. Granberry is one of seven Laguarda.Low-designed developments in Japan. Most recently, the firm was the silver award winner of International Council of Shopping Centres (ICSC) New Development category for their design of AEON Mall Okinawa Rycom, the largest multi-story commercial facility in Western Japan.

AECOM and Asia Society Announce Imagine 2060

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The Manila launch will be followed by waterfront-focused events in Sydney , Los Angeles , and New York

The Manila launch will be followed by waterfront-focused events in Sydney , Los Angeles , and New York

AECOM, a fully integrated infrastructure firm, and Asia Society, a global non-profit institution, today announced a three-year partnership in the form of Imagine 2060: Delivering Tomorrow’s Cities Together.

Each forum is an opportunity for leaders in urban design, infrastructure and public policy to connect with a common goal – imagining a long-term vision for each city supported by innovative ways to achieve it. The first year of the partnership launched on 30 March, 2017 in Manila before moving to Sydney, Los Angeles, New York and culminating in Hong Kong.

“These are some of the most exciting and vibrant cities on our planet but they share common stresses caused by growth, urbanisation and densification which are only going to intensify with the predicted level of population growth,” says AECOM Asia Pacific President, Sean Chiao. “If we want future generations to flourish in these cities, it is up to those in positions of influence today to lead the way and create a legacy they can be proud of.”

The initiative will cultivate a connected global community of “city shapers” who are committed to sharing their experience and best practices, all aimed at enhancing the quality of life in Manila, Sydney, Los Angeles, New York and Hong Kong.

“This is the start of a new conversation between the brightest minds in urban design, business, economics, infrastructure design and public policy,” continued Sean Chiao. “The series will explore cities through five key lenses of wellbeing, economic development, culture, mobility and innovation in project delivery. It is our belief that the right balance of these elements leads to the best outcomes for cities and their citisens.”

Asia Society’s Executive Vice President, Tom Nagorski says, “What we are asking, essentially, is ‘Where do the great cities of our world need to be, a half century from now?’ And then ‘What must we do now to be sure that those dreams are realised?’ There are few more pressing questions for the planet’s future. Ultimately Imagine 2060 will be a guide not only for the five cities involved, but for any major metropolis interested in creating a roadmap for the future.”

2017: At The Water’s Edge
In its inaugural year, Imagine 2060 will examine issues involving the urban waterfront under the heading “2017: At The Water’s Edge” is a wide-ranging examination of how the diverse approaches to their proximity to water have shaped the quality of life for citizens of these five cities in radically different ways.

The world premiere of the five-city series took place on Thursday, 30 March, 2017 at The Manila House in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Manila. It explored how citizens of the Philippines’ capital city can reimagine the original ideas of a “City Beautiful”, created by renowned urban planner Daniel Burnham back in 1905.

Throughout the Imagine 2060 series AECOM and Asia Society will compile the main findings from each city, build upon the discussions and publish the key insights on their website so they are available for further input and development.

The Manila launch will be followed by waterfront-focused events in Sydney, Los Angeles , and New York before the first year of the program is brought to a conclusion in Hong Kong.

Next year, AECOM and Asia Society will explore creative and resourceful strategies for land use by cities. The third and final year of Imagine 2060 will look at the futuristic-sounding, but all too real, prospects or use of aerial space and air quality.

MSWG Develops Exclusive Wellness Concept for Dachsteinkönig Family Hotel

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The Dachsteinkönig Family Hotel opened its doors in December 2016 and is a wellness paradise for the whole family.

The Dachsteinkönig Family Hotel opened its doors in December 2016 and is a wellness paradise for the whole family.

The Dachsteinkönig Family Hotel, which opened its doors in December 2016, is a wellness paradise for the whole family. Whilst the hotel specifically targets families, it has done a fantastic job of offering wellness and fitness within their concept. With the babies and children able to be cared for up to 13 hours a day, the hotel has managed to create enough “alone time” for the parents to be able to relax and enjoy the exclusive, adult-only wellness and sauna facilities, all of which measure up to top international standards. The team at MSWG created this concept, which harmoniously combines this wellness relaxation within the family hotel.

“The key challenge at Dachsteinkönig was to create attractive, technologically innovative and well-designed experiences tailor-made for this environment”, explains Markus Strasser, International Sales Consultant at MSWG. In the end, we achieved a romantic environment in the Private Spa Suite; light and friendly, easy to maintain saunas in the Family Chalets; and a wide variety of attractive wellness experiences in the main spa.

A Spa With Extraordinary Saunas, New Materials and Modern Technology
“The newly developed saunas for Dachsteinkönig were a particular highlight from a technical viewpoint.” These innovations included the automatic Bio Ambilight Event Sauna where light and sound effects can be combined, or the innovative Mineral Steam Bath where Magnesium Chloride helps sooth the skin, Iodine-Selenium is used for strengthening the immune system and Lithium is used for mental strength. Also the Salt Relaxation Room with its large salt-stone wall made out of real Himalayan salt and comfortable heated water bed loungers offers a special oasis to rest and free your respiratory system.

At the automatic Bio Ambilight Event Sauna, light and sound effects can be combined.

At the automatic Bio Ambilight Event Sauna, light and sound effects can be combined.

Through the use of special stone resin materials for seating and the avoidance of mosaic tiles in the Steam Rooms where the expanse of grouting can promote build up of unhygienic matter, MSWG ensures both a longevity of the experience and substantially reduces the maintenance and cleaning requirements, an advantage, which also passes through to lower personnel requirements in the wellness and spa area. The guests are fully assured of a wonderful spa experience with the highest level of hygiene.

Furthermore, the concept was designed to be easily adaptable with for instance the ability to upload new videos on to the sauna multimedia screens. Such flexibility alone permits the operator to quickly and easily change the environment and without wholesale changes create the feeling of a new experience for guests who may be regular visitors to the spa.