Indesign Publishing’s Editorial Director, Paul McGillick reports on his visit to the 2010 International Furniture Fair Singapore where he was also a judge for the Best Exhibits Awards.
March 23rd, 2010
The International Furniture Fair Singapore began in 1981, occupying just one hall at the Singapore Expo out near Changi Airport. The 27th IFFS spread over eight halls with 474 participating companies, 20% of them first-time participants.
This year also saw the highest number of participating countries – 39 of them – including the U.K., Germany, Belgium, the U.S., Holland, Latvia and Iceland, revealing how the Fair has expanded well beyond the Region.
Next year, the Fair will expand further with the addition of Hospitality Asia 2011, described by the organisers as “a show within a show”.
Of course, there are already shows within the show – Furniture Design DNA (Develop, Nurture and Accelerate) which showcases emerging designers, and Platform, which gives an opportunity for young furniture designers to present their work, network and “kickstart their design careers” – an initiative of the Development Programme of the Singapore Furniture Industries Council, itself part of a massive government programme to help furniture companies develop new products and markets.
Opening the 2010 Fair, the Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr Lim Hng Kiang, noted that export revenue in this sector had increased from S$3.2 to S$4.9 between 2007 and 2009 with the government aiming ultimately for a 1% share of world sales.
Hit hard by the 2009 recession, Singapore’s typical response was the ‘3 Rs’ strategy – R&D, Re-tool and Re-vitalise.
Part of the government’s push to transform Singapore into a creative economy, this strategy is under-pinned by what the Minister described as a “design-centric philosophy”.
This is increasingly reflected at the IFFS which this year I thought was better than 2009 – better products, more diverse products and a generally higher quality of stand design.
The IFFS is rapidly becoming the key fair in the Region, reflecting a strongly growing design sector in Singapore.
The International Furniture Fair Singapore
iffs.com.sg
Image Credits (Below):
Hero Image. The Kasting Table by Dbohdi.
1. The 158BSS DIning Chair by Getz.
2. Lounge from the Rho Series by John Kelly.
3. Chair from the Rho Series by John Kelly.
4. Scrap Facet chair by student award-winner Decha Archjarnanun from Thailand.
5. Side view the 158BSS DIning Chair by Getz.
6. Indian Camel Cart Wheel table by Bara.
7. Detail, Indian Camel Cart Wheel table by Bara.
8. Light Play at Platform – the curated design-art exhibition featuring 1DEGoff.
9. The Helix Family Lounge set in foreground, with the Dining Set in the background by Bertil Stam from Denmark, student award winner.
10. Cage Chair from the Folks Collection by Nathon Yong.
11. Vanity Desk and Chair from the Bianco Nero Collezione from Pacific Traders.
12. Frey TV console by Nathan Yong.
13. Spiral Table Lamp by Lim Rui Wen student winner from Singapore.
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
Savage Design’s approach to understanding the relationship between design concepts and user experience, particularly with metalwork, transcends traditional boundaries, blending timeless craftsmanship with digital innovation to create enduring elegance in objects, furnishings, and door furniture.
Suitable for applications ranging from schools and retail outlets to computer rooms and X-ray suites, Palettone comes in two varieties and a choice of more than fifty colours.
In the pursuit of an uplifting synergy between the inner world and the surrounding environment, internationally acclaimed Interior Architect and Designer Lorena Gaxiola transform the vibration of the auspicious number ‘8’ into mesmerising artistry alongside the Feltex design team, brought to you by GH Commercial.
Sub-Zero and Wolf’s prestigious Kitchen Design Contest (KDC) has celebrated the very best in kitchen innovation and aesthetics for three decades now. Recognising premier kitchen design professionals from around the globe, the KDC facilitates innovation, style and functionality that pushes boundaries.
This warehouse in North Fitzroy, Melbourne, has had a number of uses over its lifetime. A water factory, a jam factory and offices as its last occupancy, the warehouse was a rare find for the owners, a couple with a daughter.
CSM Storage Systems and Kinnarps shared for Saturday in Design, presenting sustainable storage solutions and office furniture, partnering with Andrew Aloisio for The Project.
Cologne will once again become the European centre of interior decorating and design from 14th to 20th January 2008. You can look forward to the fresh, exciting and international products and concepts presented by approximately 1,300 imm cologne exhibitors and in more than 150 showrooms in the city. You will experience everything from innovative lifestyle worlds to a broad range of living room and bedroom furniture, as well as textiles, carpets, lighting systems and accessories.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Adaptive reuse is all the rage across the design industry, and rightly so. Here, we present a selection of articles on this most effective approach to sustainability.
Focusing on facade and green design, this pair of office blocks is designed to meet the most contemporary demands of workplace design.