05 December 2011

Inside Asia

Indesignlive.asia editor Janice Seow rounds up some of the most noted design news out of Asia in November.

The design world was abuzz as the highly anticipated S$50 million Space Asia Hub – which holds more than 20 iconic European brands – opened its doors in Singapore's arts and entertainment precinct in early November.

Not to be outdone, the winners of the President's Design Award were also announced that same week! In an international jury selection, Singapore's most prestigious accolade was given out to 12 recipients on 10 November, with 'Designer of the Year' going to 70-year-old fellow architects Tang Guan Bee and Sonny Chan.

Sonny Chan

Tang Guan Bee

SOTA, Singapore

Across the straits in Malaysia, German architect Ole Scheeren also captured attention for his Angkasa Raya tower proposal, a building that when completed, hopes to lend a new contemporary perspective to the nation's capital city of Kuala Lumpur.

In China, a very different project caught our eye in the form of Li Xiaodong Atelier's LiYuan Library, a modest but inspiring 'reading room' in a small village made with the humble stick!

We also reported on some lovely sightings at Tokyo Designtide and Tokyo Designers Week; and we have to say that Maruni's latest designs certainly didn't disappoint!

Maruni - tools used for production

A few congratulations are also in order: to Singapore's Ministry of Design for winning 'best office' at the Inside awards; Herman Miller, which bagged 3 accolades at the Design for Asia Awards; and Aedas for the yet to be completed LucasFilm regional HQ in Singapore, which took home the Best Futura Projects (Gold) at the MIPIM Asia Awards.

MOD offices

SAYL from Herman Miller

Another highly anticipated event, this time in Hong Kong, Business of Design Week (BODW) was held from 28 Nov to 3 Dec with partner country Germany. Read our interviews with speakers Jiang Qiong Er, CEO of China's first homegrown luxury brand, and Japanese architect Shigeru Ban (coming up!) on indesignlive.asia.

Jiang Qiong Er

Last but certainly not least, we capped off the month of November in fine form with our Saturday in Design Singapore party, held at the lovely Loof rooftop bar. For those who haven't heard, the event will return to Singapore next year in October – so everyone, mark it down on your calendar!