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.